How to Make Mitered Corners on a Quilt with Double Borders

Mitered corners are beautiful and elegant.  This past month I decided to get serious and learn to make a proper mitered corner. I hope this mini tutorial will help you put them on your next quilt.

Let's get started!   

Step 1: Sew your double border fabrics together lengthwise.  (Sewing multiple borders on one-at-a-time is not efficient and the end product is not as nice as if you do it this way.)

Step 2: Sew double borders to adjacent sides of the quilt top. Stop stitching before each piece intersects with the other. In this image the vertical border is on top of the horizontal border.

Step 3: As you look at this next image, the vertical border is folded back onto itself and the horizontal/top  border is turned down on the vertical border. Press the seam between the 2 fabrics in the border so that at this corner, the  seam between the 2-fabrics of the border is pressed down toward the inner fabric. (In this example, my inner border is the multi-colored fabric).  Remember the mantra "top-down" and "bottom-up". 

Step 4: Return the horizontal/top border to the original right-side up fashion and place the vertical border on top of it. 

Step 5:  Turn the vertical border under (and free-edge out) at a 45 degree angle. The inner border on the vertical border should be pressed up toward the outer strip (or "up" in this image).  Again, recall the mantra, "top-down, bottom-up".  (Remember the "top" is the horizontal border and the "bottom" is the vertical border in this image.)  Because you placed the seams in opposite directions at the intersection of this corner, when you stitch the mitered corner from outside free-edge in to center the fabric will nest itself perfectly and you will have a beautiful and elegant corner!

Step 6: Press the corner seams with a hot iron.  Option: pin the fabrics together at the free-edge near the pressed crease.

Step 7: Turn the vertical border strip on top of the horizontal strip. You will be able to see the crease in the fabric made by the iron. 

 Step 8: Stitch in the creased area from the outer free-edge in toward your quilt top.

Step 9: Clip excess fabric from seam and corner.

                         
Step 10: Press right side of top.

Step 11: Press underside. Pressing the seam open at this point will reduce bulk.
Repeat all steps at the remaining corners of the quilt.