How to Sew Perfect Mitered Corners
When it comes to sewing, little finishing details can make a huge difference in the look of your project. One of those details is the mitered corner—a technique that gives you crisp, professional corners on items like napkins, tablecloths, tea towels, quilts, or even garment hems. If you’ve ever wondered how to make your corners neat instead of bulky, this step-by-step guide is for you!
What Is a Mitered Corner?
A mitered corner is created by folding fabric at a 45-degree angle, so the edges meet seamlessly. Instead of bunching fabric at the corner, the miter lets it lay flat and clean. Think of it like wrapping paper around a box corner—the folds disappear into a sharp, neat finish.
Supplies You’ll Need
Step-by-Step: Sewing a Mitered Corner
1. Prepare Your Fabric
Start with your piece of fabric, make sure you iron your hem on both sides, or if you are doing a coat or vest, both sides would mean the front hem and bottom hem. Sew them down until about 4-5" to the mitered corner.
2. Mark the Corners
Mark your corners with a pen. Open it up, match your pen marks right sides together.
3. Stitch
Stitch the pens marks like shown in the picture.
4. Cut your angle off
Cut leaving 1/4" in
5. Flip
Flip your corner in, and press, finish sewing your hem and pivot on the corner
Tips for Success
-
Press as you go: An iron is your best friend for crisp folds.
-
Use a square ruler: A quilting ruler helps you mark precise 45° lines.
-
Practice first: Try a test corner on scrap fabric before tackling your main project.
-
Play with widths: Wider hems (1" or more) make the miter more dramatic and elegant.