Better Borders with Hancey

Do you measure the inside width, outside end widths and then average and cut borders to match and then pin them on or do you just sew them on? The reason I am asking is that I think even though most instructions for putting on borders tell to measure the middle and ends then average, they neglect to explain how to pin them on correctly. 
I found a neat way to do them...Here goes...
Step One: For each border side I want like to apply, instead of having to do all the measuring and math, I fold the quilt in half lengthwise, ends together, so the middle width is the fold.
Step Two: Then I put the two ends together making sure they are as even as I can get them (meaning that the corners are matching as much as possible.) If they are slightly off, and they usually are to some degree, I adjust them so they are pretty even with the folded edge (middle of quilt top). I get them as close to the same width as the middle or folded width, easing them slightly here and there, making sure the centers still match.
                         
Step Three: Then I lay both sides of my border out (both together and even along the edges so you cannot see one under the other, they are uncut yet and longer than the quilt width) lengthwise along the fold and edges of the quilt top. Lay them out, as they would be when you sew them onto the quilt top. Smooth the borders out so that there are no wrinkles at all and perfectly lined up with the quilt top
edges and fold.

Step Four: Now to cut them; To do this, I put a small cutting mat right on the floor UNDER the border fabric and part of the quilt top, and cut the borders right there on the floor with a 4 x 14 Omni-grid ruler running along the perpendicular edge of the
quilt top and perpendicular to the border sides. Cut the borders even with the edge of the quilt top, or if the edges are longer or shorter than the middle of the quilt top, split the difference between the two by placing the ruler at the halfway point between the edges and the middle of the quilt top.
                       
Step Five: Pinning is the tricky part. I pin both ends of the border to the quilt top first. If it's a wide border, I don't only pin along the edge of the quilt top to be sewn, but I pin on the very end of the border to the quilt top, also. I pin the ends first, then with my foot on one end of the border, where it's pinned, and my hand on the other end, I slightly pull on the border ends and quilt top at the same time so that they 'stretch'
slightly and "match up". Now you have a pin in the center, and the ends. Then I ease the rest of the borders to the quilt (or vise versa) in between those pins, and put some more pins in. This way I know that both of my border sides are applied to the quilt top exactly the same way and have very few waves. I pin the borders on right there, since I'm down there and they are all ready to be pinned; I can just flip the border over on the quilt and pin. 
Step Six: After pinning, I sew them, easing as necessary between the pins. It is very important to pin the ends and then the middle before pinning any of the rest of it. I think this is where most waves come into being. Pin these two sides of the border onto the quilt top, sew and press before doing the same with the two un-bordered sides. Once sewn, I press and fold the quilt top again, to apply the ends of the quilt top perpendicular to the border just applied. 
Refer to Step One to continue applying border to perpendicular sides of quilt top.

Print a copy of this handy sheet

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