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Home » Sewing Techniques » How to Sew Mitered Corners – 2 Ways

How to Sew Mitered Corners – 2 Ways

Making sure corners are exact, neat as a pin and professional is achieved with the mitered corner.  In the sewing world, a miter is a simple technique used to finish the 90-degree corners of items such as quilts, napkins, tablecloths and curtains.  Follow these easy steps to learn how to sew a mitered corner in two different ways.

In case you were wondering – Depending where you live in the world, you may spell it as miter (US) or mitre (UK, Australia). These are both the same thing.

How to Sew a Mitered Corner

There are 2 main methods how to sew mitered corners. Method 1 has just a folded corner and method 2 has the corner sewn on the diagonal.

As a general rule, use method 1 for narrow hems and method 2 for wide hems.

Mitered corners 2 ways

Method 1: Folded Mitered Corner.

A folded mitered corner is best for small hems such as those used on napkins and tablecloths.

Step one: On the wrong side of the fabric, press over one edge by a 1/4″ (6mm) or 1/2″(12mm)  and fold and press all around the edges. 

Then fold and press again a second time by the same amount to create a double hem.

See how the hems cross over each other in the corner.

Step two: Open the folds and you will see creases around the edges with two parallel lines forming a square in the corner. 

Take a fabric pen and mark a 45-degree diagonal line through the center of the square.

Just so you can see it more clearly, I have marked the folds with a pen. (You don’t need to do this.)  

Step three: Cut across the first diagonal line and mark another diagonal line through the inner corner of the square.

Press a hem along this marked diagonal line.

Do not sew this hem – it is a folded hem only.

Step four: Fold up your pressed edges again and secure the corners with a pin on each side.  Repeat this for all the other corners.

Sorry the hem photo is a bit blurry. I got distracted taking photos of my cat!

Step five: Topstitch all the way around the hem edges. 

TIP: Get a nice sharp corner by stopping with the needle down and then pivoting.

This folded, mitered corner is perfect for any project needing sharp, neat corners.

Method 2: Sewn Mitered Corner

This follows the same principles, but some stitching across the corner makes the difference and is a better method when you want a wider hem.

Step one: Press over your edges by 1/4″ or 1/2″ (6-12mm).

Press over the hem a second time by your desired amount.

An example: I am using a seam allowance of 1 1/2 inches (3.8cm) and have divided my hem into 1/4 inch (6mm) for the first fold and 1 1/4 inch (3.2cm) for the second fold. 

Your preferred size will depend on the article as you may require a narrow hem for napkins, but a bigger and bolder hem for curtains.

Repeat this and press firmly on all corners.

A bit of spray water can help with stubborn fabrics like this medium-weight denim.

mitered corner

Step two: Open up the hems to show the second crease lines but keep the narrow first crease folded down.

pressed edges

Step three: Draw a diagonal line across the folded inner corner at 45 degres. 

mitered corners diagonal

Step four: Fold the marked corner in half with right sides together. This will form a triangle.

Pin this together making sure the marks connect exactly at the edges. 

Machine stitch along the marked line with a backstitch at the start and finish.

Mitered corners

Step five: Carefully trim off the excess fabric across the corner about a 1/4 inch (6mm) from the stitching line. 

Cut the corner

Step six: Turn the corner to the right side and push the point out gently. 

Fold

Step seven: Press your corner and the rest of the hem ready to be stitched.

Mitered Corners

Step eight: Pressed and ready to go, machine topstitch around the article to complete the hem.

Mitered Corners

The choice is yours, now you know two simple but smart ways how to sew a mitered corner that is sharp and neat.  

More Hem Articles

  • All Hem Articles
  • Narrow Hems
  • Wide Hems
  • Circular Hems

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