quiltingnd

Since I was going to be asking for photos, I thought I'd ask my question here. Hope I put it in the right place.

Which borders do you do first? Left and right? Top or bottom? In my quilting class, they had us do top and bottom first.

Which do you do and why and could you post pictures of your quilt? Would like to see the difference between the two?

coachmatthewsvhs

usually I do them like a log cabin and work my way around.... start at the top, then right, bottom, left.
My borders are simple though! If you go to my profile, I have an album of quilts I've made.

katier825

No specific rules... do what works for you.

I do the longer sides first. If you do, you need less fabric if cutting lengthwise (which I normally do). If you scroll down on Bonnie Hunter's Border Tips page, there is a sketch showing the difference. I guess it's supposed to be more visually appealing.

Also, check out her suggestions on measuring/cutting borders. I've been doing mine her way since I read it and never have wavy borders.

http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2005/...der-hints.html

Jim's Gem

I usually do the longer sides first, than the top and bottom.

AlienQuilter

I also like doing the sides first on a rectangle shaped quilt. Like others, it's easier to cut a shorter piece especially if you don't want to piece it especially if you have the type of fabric where it is very noticeable when you piece it. One way to avoid the issue of sides versus top/bottom is to use cornerstones then it does not matter.

Tartan

If I have a side of a quilt that I can use the width of the fabric without seams, I do that first. If the quilt sides are longer than the fabric is wide, I cut them out of the total yardage so I don't have any seams. As for the order in which I sew on the border pieces, I do whatever strikes my fancy on any individual quilt.

Prism99

I do the sides first. That way, if I am cutting the borders on the lengthwise grain (which is the most stable) in one piece, I need less yardage. If you do the top and bottom (short sides) first, your long sides become even longer.

AnnieH

Thanks Katier825 for the Quiltville link. Have saved it for later. Excellent tips and tricks.
Annie

joyce888

I do long sides first to save on fabric and I also think it looks better.

gollytwo

that's usually how I add borders too