Saturday, April 18, 2009

Mitered Corner

I love it when I'm able to try techniques that are new to me. I love it even more when the techniques work! I used the technique for mitering corners that was demonstrated by Louise Cutting on the Threads Insider Techniques DVD (vol. 1) I bought a few months ago. Mitered corners are covered in a few of my books, but this method is a little different.

Click pictures to enlarge


Step 1
Press the allowances to the wrong side.


Step 2
Mark where the edges intersect with pins (or diagonal clips).


Step 3

Establish and mark a stitching line with a straight edge. The line must connect the pins and pass through the pressed corner (indicated on the left photo).


Step 4
Fold the corner with right sides together, bringing the pins (or clips) together.


Step 5

Pin and stitch the miter from the edge toward the corner. Backstitch at the beginning and end.


Step 6

Trim seam allowance to 1/4 ". Cut diagonally to the corner. Press the seam open.


Step 7

Turn right side out and admire the beautiful, bulk-free corner.

The process will work when the two allowances are not the same width. When the allowances are different widths, the fabric corner that forms (in Step 4) will be uneven and asymmetrical.

I'd read about this technique somewhere long ago. But, seeing it demonstrated on the Threads DVD clarified it and brought it to the front of my brain.

12 comments:

  1. This is a technique I need to master! I've considered these DVD's before and I think this has decided me. Doesn't it make you feel great when you learn something like this? Well done!

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  2. Good for you! You can use this technique on skirt vents. Jacket corners. I'm sure you'll find several places that need a nice, mitered corner.

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  3. Your miter corner looks great.
    I too love this technique. I use it too when making placemats, it works great.

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  4. Thanks for the turorial. I plan on mastering this. I have a question I hope you will answer. I am going to order BWOF, but since I recently upgraded a knit top to a 48 would I be better off ordering BWOF Plus instead?

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  5. To Anonymous: Take a look at Burda's measurement chart. and select your size accordingly. BWOFs run true to the measurements without a lot of ease.

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  6. Thanks for replying to my question so quickly. I think I didn't make myself clear. With a larger size like 48, is it worth the money to buy BWOF? Most of the patterns people make are in smaller sizes. Are the patterns in the larger sizes too? or should I just go for BWOF Plus? Since it is expensive, I don't want to order BWOF if I can't use it.

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  7. To Anonymous: I did misunderstand. BWOF has about 4 or 5 Plus (48 - 52) sizes in every issue. Burda Plus is published only twice a year. I could never wait that long between issues, so I subscribe to both BWOF and Burda Plus :)

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  8. Thank you. That is what I needed to know. Love the things, you sew and hope someday to be as good as you are!

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  9. That DVD would be worth it just for this mitered technique. Looks really nice. I really like this fabric.

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  10. Excellent! I love to try new things, too. When they work it is a bonus!

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