I trim the corners and use the back of my seam ripper to nudge the corners a bit. They are usually not as sharp as a regular binding though. I made some placemats with curved corners and birthing works best for them.

vasu

After I turn, I press the seam open and then I press the edge to make it sharp.

DH made a pressing tool for me by ripping a 36" long, 1" diameter wooden dowel in half lengthwise. Left one piece full length and cut off 12" from the other piece. Which left a 24" piece. I remember my grade school math.

I insert the size I want inside the turned quilt, work it around the edge with curved side against the seam pressing the hot iron on the outside over the seam.

I'd have to make a really short one for the inside of a hotpad.

I've made a number of placemats recently and now I'm making baby burp pads that are both turned right side out after sewing and edge stitched to close the opening and finish off the edges. I use my fingers to finger press the sewn edges before sewing and I use my "Purple Thang" to push out the corners. I've found that finger pressing all around the edge as I pull out the seam as far as it will go seems to help set the seam; then I press with a hot iron.

In addition, after I edge stitch all around the placemat or burp pad, I stitch a center line from top to bottom and another center line from side to side to prevent ballooning up in the wash.

No help here, I have never gotten really nice edges with a birthed quilt.

Have you tried the "perfect corners" method? I've seen several different videos using this method, but have never tried it myself. They say the trick is to press the seams prior to turning.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ke66MszOZoI

Thought I added a comment earlier but forgot to submit. Duh!

thank you all. I have watched many videos and get ideas from all. And I have seen that particular video and plan to try it for good corners on the next batch. Maybe it will help with the edges as well.

Theresa

Please report back and let us know how it goes! Good luck!

I trim off the corners and use my purple thang, too. Then a top stitch after a good pressing.

Do you do a 'finish stitch' along the edge? maybe about 1/4" from the edge? I've done that sometimes when the fabric doesn't want to lie down.

Two stitches, right along the edge and then a second row about 1/4 in from there. Havent had a chance to get back to them today, neighbour of 50 years is moving and we are helping. Hopefully tomorrow.

Theresa

Just an update.

I used the video method mentioned above. You can get nicer corners, but they still need a bit of poking, even after a bit of trimming. The edges still need a lot of coaxing but I am convinced that the fabric makes a difference. One set of mats was made with a home dec type of material, so a bit heavier than quilting cotton. And if batting is caught in that seam, there is more bulk to deal with. For the next mats, I will do the self binding method, no sharp edges to contend with.

thanks for all your comments. I related best to grammyp's post. Made me feel

I am not alone.

Theresa