One of the most asked questions we ponder over when finishing a quilt that we “sort-of” made up the pattern is “does it need a border?” Well, sometimes it does and sometimes it doesn’t— that wasn’t a lot of help, was it?
A quilt border is the strip of fabric between the quilt blocks and the binding–not be be confused with the sashing which separates the blocks . (The diagram is from The Sewing Directory.)
Borders serve several purposes.
- The border makes the quilt larger, more usable. With the addition of the border, Spot’s Colors measures 53″ x 53″–a great play mat size for a toddler. The licensed fabric is from the popular children’s series. The quilt is $100
2. The border serves as a frame just like a painting or photo. These three borders are go from tiny to large and keep your focus on the pumpkins. “The Best of the Pumpkin Patch” is 17.5″ x 52″ and is $75.
3. Borders keep the quilt from “rippling”. A quilter never wants the edges to wave! So by measuring the internal length and width, a border may be cut to square up the quilt.
4. Borders add interest to the quilt. I had no plan when I started this quilt. I had a jelly roll of vintage looking prints. But when I finished the top, it was rather blah. I decided a border might help but had no yardage from which to cut borders. So I pieced together remaining jelly roll strips that are 2.5″ x 42″. I cut some in half or thirds so that the strips would be different lengths. The first border is a jelly roll strip cut in half; the different width adds interest. Much better now!!! Measuring 65″ x 73″ it would fit a twin bed and is $250.
This border is pieced using the same 30’s green and same red vintage print that is used for the binding. This would be a charming quilt without the border, but this finishing touch makes a stand out. The background fabric is used as a “floater” between the pieced border and the binding. Measuring 67″ x 78″, it would fit best on a twin but would look great thrown over a recliner or sofa. It is for sale for $300.
5. Borders separate a busy block from the border to keep the individual blocks more distinct. This green block would melt into the border without the small border of white or a “floater” border.
“Vintage Summer” is 62″ x 63″ and is for sale for $200.
6. Borders may repeat a design element of the quilt, emphasizing a particular motif.
“Sharon’s Heart” repeats the flower hearts in the center with green hearts for the border. The squares on each corner are called cornerstones. The table topper or wall hanging is 40″ x 40″ and $45.
This baby quilt with a transportation theme is bordered with a print from the collection. The busy streets and traveling autos emphasis the theme. It measures 45″ x 51″ and is $50.
Elements of the design are occasionally appliquéd on the border. This is also an example of all four borders not being the same. This spring wall hanging is 37″ 56″ and for sale for $125.
7. Borders can give your eye a place to rest if the quilt top itself is very busy.
Each block in “Garden Gate” has four different fabrics. None of the 40 blocks are alike. The original fabric purchased for the border was just too busy. This black and white check on the bias proved to a calming border The flowers are hand appliquéd and it is machine quilted. It measures 51″ x 61″ and is for sale for $200.
Do borders belong on modern quilts or are they just used on traditional quilts?
At the International Quilt Museum exhibit of Joanna Rose’s red and white quilts collected over the past decades, there are quilts with borders and quilts without borders. Past quilters faced the same decisions we did–to add a border or not?
These more contemporary quilts do not have borders. Quilt #2 and #3 are “off center”–something my grandmother would have not done. The green quilt with tiny trees is 33″ x 33″ and is for sale for $45. Felicity, the quilt on the right, is made with batiks. It measures 58″ x 61″ and is available for $150.
So do you add a border to your quilt? Many factors go into that decision—and sometimes it just depends upon if you have enough fabric available!
New topic–Yesterday we celebrate our 2022 Quilt etc. Sale with a lunch and the presentation of our checks to Rev. Cindy Watson for the TV Ministry and to Lois Stewart, a volunteer with the Religious Nature Center. This year we set a record, $21,000! Thank you for supporting us and two great ministries of our Church. We could not have done it without you.
Photos thanks to Erin Davis.
Quilts, Etc. 