How to Sew Mitered Corners

How to Sew Mitered Corners

Make your toddler or newest addition your Valentine this year with a sweet heart-themed blanket. In this project, you’ll learn how to sew mitered corners, a simple technique that makes fabric edges look clean, sharp, and beautifully finished.

What You Need

• Muslin fabric (20" × 20" / 50 × 50 cm)
• Sewing thread
• A heart decorative stitch
• Standard presser foot or edge foot
• Iron & ironing board
• Ruler
• Fabric marker (optional)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Cut the Fabric

Cut a square of muslin 20" × 20" (50 × 50 cm).

2. Press the First Folds

Press all four edges ½" (12 mm) to the wrong side.
Then place the fabric right side up, fold it diagonally right sides together, keeping the pressed edges aligned.

3. Mark the Mitered Corner Line

• Place the ruler along the folded edge.

• Mark a perpendicular line where the raw edges meet.

• Repeat for the second corner, then fold along the opposite diagonal and mark the remaining corners.

4. Sew the Corner Seams

At the machine, select a straight stitch.
Sew directly on each marked line.
Don’t forget to fix (lock) the stitch at the beginning and end.

5. Trim the Corners

Cut off the fabric corners, leaving ¼" (6 mm) seam allowance.

6. Turn & Shape the Corners

Press the seam allowance open with your fingers, then turn the corner right side out.
Use a turning tool to sharpen the point if needed.

7. Press the Edges Again

Press all four edges neatly along the new fold created by the mitered corners.
Your blanket is now ready for decorative stitching.

Sewing the Decorative Edges

8. Select a Straight Stitch

Choose a straight stitch starting in the far-left needle position.
If your machine only has a center needle straight stitch, move the needle to the left manually.

9. Position the Fabric

Use a standard presser foot or edge foot.
Lower the needle manually at the corner so it sits 1–2 mm inside the folded edge.

10. Start Stitching

• Sew about 5 straight stitches, fixing at the beginning.
• Switch to a heart decorative stitch and continue stitching along the side.
• As you approach a corner, stop at a clean point in the stitch pattern.
• Switch back to a straight stitch to sew the corner.

11. Turn the Corner & Continue

Rotate your fabric, sew the straight stitches around the corner, then switch back to the heart stitch.
Repeat on all four sides.

12. Final Press

Take the blanket to your ironing board and give it a fresh, smooth press.

Optional: Attach the Blanket to a Teething Ring

13. Tie It On

Knot one corner of the blanket securely around a teething or biting ring.
Your Valentine baby gift is ready!