A designing question about quilt borders
#1
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A designing question about quilt borders
I have been designing my own quilts for a short time now. As I design I make the decision concerning border widths, as well as whether there will be more than one - say a narrower inner border, in addition to a wider border.
The problem is that as I make the quilt, I sometimes have to change my widths because my original idea doesn't look 'quite right'.
Is there a formula for calculating how wide borders should be in relationship to the size of the middle section? I think I read somewhere that there was, but can't remember where I read it nor what the article said.
Of course, I know that formulas rules are broken per the designers desire, but think it would be helpful to have a starting point.
Thanks in advance.
The problem is that as I make the quilt, I sometimes have to change my widths because my original idea doesn't look 'quite right'.
Is there a formula for calculating how wide borders should be in relationship to the size of the middle section? I think I read somewhere that there was, but can't remember where I read it nor what the article said.
Of course, I know that formulas rules are broken per the designers desire, but think it would be helpful to have a starting point.
Thanks in advance.
#3
My thought exactly. I start with a cut that's in the quilt, if I had a lot of 21/2 inch cuts I look at that first. Typicaly my borders graduate in size 2-4-6 or something similar. That's just where I start I change it up a lot sometimes the fabric pattern is more of a consideration than the blocks in the top.
#4
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Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Southern California
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What you can do is to place the quilt on the design wall and audition the widths and color placement that you think will look pleasant. I take a photo of each one to remember the placement. Usually one will click and I then go with that one. I had a difficult time selecting the color for this Bargello. I actually changed my mind after I had sewn most of the strips. So the border was even more difficult to decided. Just thought I would post this picture so you can see what I did to audition the border. This was also an original Bargello design I made for a special friend.
#5
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Location: Michigan
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If the borders aren't pieced, I usually finish the center, then just lay it on my chosen fabrics to audition. You can move the fabrics back and forth to see how a wider/narrower strip will work, then decide. If you get one you like, write down the dimensions and take a photo before you try again.
#6
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Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 81
I have made quilts without borders...And as I lean towards making my own designs and more modern approach to quilting, I find myself rethinking borders - Do I really need them? Does the border enhance the quilt or does it distract from the focus? Just a few thoughts...
#7
One basic rule of thumb that often works is to use a multiple of the block width. So if the block is 8", you could have a 1" or 2" inner border, followed by a 4" outer border. A 12" block would offer a 1", 2" or 3" inner border and a 4" or 6" outer border. Bottom line, if things look proportional, you're probably good to go.
#8
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If the borders aren't pieced, I usually finish the center, then just lay it on my chosen fabrics to audition. You can move the fabrics back and forth to see how a wider/narrower strip will work, then decide. If you get one you like, write down the dimensions and take a photo before you try again.
I have learned to RESERVE fabrics for a border - but NOT to cut them until I am ready for them!
#9
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Location: Northern Michigan
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Recommendations often are the border widths should divide into the block size...12" blocks can *handle* borders that are 2", 3", 4", and 6" wide and look balanced... Borders that do not {go into} the center components tend to look ~unbalanced~
#10
There is actually a formula. this blog post explains it http://www.hongkiat.com/blog/golden-...-moden-designs
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10-24-2011 10:22 AM