Updated post with a new video, to walk you through the process 11.25.19 – thanks for stopping by!

Start with a small mitered corner application to gain confidence in making excellent mitered corners every time!

To start gather notions and fabric scraps to practice :

Mitered Corners

My center square measures 8 1/2″, and the 4 border strips are 1 1/2″ x 12″.

Take special note here: when making mitered corners your strip length needs to be much longer than your square or quilt top, the wider your strip, the more length you need. The formula is the strip length, plus the width times two, and an extra inch or two for seam allowances and peace of mind.

For example: 8 1/2″ + 1 1/2″ x 2 = 11 1/2″ + 1 = 12 1/2″

On with the instructions:

  1. Pin your strips, center on your square, on opposite sides

2. Sew with 1/4″ seam, starting and stopping 1/4″ away from the edge of the square.  I don’t reinforce my seams at all, it may be helpful to pull out a few stitches when setting the miter. If you need help getting your 1/4″ seam allowance perfect every time – check out my tutorial here. 

 

3. I press the seam allowances open here to reduce bulk in the seam allowances.

 

4. Pin and sew opposite sides borders to the square, again starting and stopping 1/4″ away from the edge of the square.

 

5. Press the seam allowances open.

Mitering Details

6. Fold your square on the diagonal, this works for rectangles too, take care to work one corner at a time.

7. Match up your seams, making sure that the corner is lying flat without excess, and pin in place.


Save 10% in my pattern shop, weekly updates from Amy, new patterns, sales, and more!

 

Sign up

8. This is how I pin, you don’t want the seams to move, and you need your tails to be secure as well.

9. You can do both corners at once, flip it over for the opposite corner so that you can sew in the same direction. However, if you are sewing a rectangular piece, I recommend securing one corner at a time.

10. Next line up your ruler on the diagonal, and mark the sewing line on the tail, like so —

11. Next, sew ON the marked line.

Mitered Results

12. Open up your square to double-check your corner.

13. If you are pleased, trim to 1/4″ seam allowance, and press, if it’s not quite right use your seam ripper to remove the stitches and try again.

14. Finally, go back to step 7 and 8 to fold on the opposite diagonal and repeat to finish adding miters to all four corners.

15. Use a square ruler or Add-A-Quarter ruler to trim up the excess fabric in the corners.

16. Stand back to admire your handiwork! Those corners look fantastic! Want to make sure your binding has a nice miter too? I have a step-by-step tutorial to walk you through that process – it doesn’t have to be hard!

This method can be used for quilt blocks and borders as much as you like! It adds a great layer of dimension to your finished quilt projects. Just remember to check the formula at the top of the post to cut your strips to the right length.

Let me know if you have any questions and I will do my best to answer them. Have a great weekend!

Amy

Mitered Corners can be added to quilts and small projects for a great finish! Learn how to add miter corners to your next project! - AmysCreativeSide.com