Just Jan

I'm wondering if its possible to enlarge a quilt by adding another border, after the quilt is finished. I have a lap quilt that measures 36x42 and its just not big enough to suit me. I have been wondering if it might be possible to add a border or two (using Warm & Natural) if I'm careful and get it butted good and tight. Has anyone done this or any other method? Any ideas or suggestions? Thanks. Jan

carolaug

I have a friend that is trying to figure out how to do that also...I will be interested in the responses. I have heard of people doing the Quilt as you Go method to enlarge but I have never seen a picture of their results.

june6995

Not too long ago I asked the same question. Here is the link

http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-111488-1.htm

June in Cincinnati

NorBanaquilts

I'm actually just finishing up a quilt that I'm enlarging. I added four 9" borders so it fits the bed better. I did the quilt as you go method and I'm just finishing the hand sewing on the binding. I could take a pic if you want.

carolaug

I would love to see a picture. I also have a quilt that would be a lot nicer if a bit bigger.

Barb_MO

I have done that, just as you mentioned. I cut a piece of backing the same size as the border. Sewed it on with the backing right side to the back of the quilt and the border right side of the quilt front. In other words the quilt was sandwiched between the backing strip and the border. Using spray adhesive I inserted the batting and then quilted it. So two long sides and then the two short sides. Bind as usual.

quilts4charity

I enlarged DGD's baby quilt a few years ago when she got older and needed it bigger, just made her a new one this year, that's what she wanted for her birthday, love those grands!!!!

purrfectquilts

I do this a lot with nursery quilts need to be made into big child quilts, etc. Just measure well and make your front and back, either pieced or not, the size that you want. As mentioned above, put right sides together, front and back and stitch, like you would if you were doing a strip of sashing, etc. Cut your new batting the size you need and whip stitch (or zig zag if using a flat batting) to the edge of previous quilt. Press top and bottom pieces out carefully (don't want to flatten your batting). Baste and quilt and bind as usual.

mommamac

a timely question - I just completed a quilt that seems short & was thinking of attaching a bedskirt for extra drop length.
The suggestions given here are helpful - thanks to all.

TrenbeathRanch

All of the above will certainly work. My technique is pretty simple, but labor intensive. It involves a lot of stitch picking. Hopefully, the original quilting was a large meander pattern!

First thing that I do is examine the quilt to see where I can sew a stabilizing line...could be SID between the quilt body and the final border, or (if no border), create my own by running a fairly tight stitched line all the way around the quilt at approx. 4" from the edge. This line is to ensure that any stitching beyond the line won't pull out once I pick out the quilting between the line and the quilt edge.

Remove binding and pick out original edge stabilizing stitches at the same time. Then, pick out the quilting all the way around, between the edge and the "new" stabilizing line I add in step 1, to give me a good 4" of working material.

Once the 3 layers are free again, isolate each layer to add whatever you need (don't forget to make the batting and backing bigger than the top, just like when it was originally made). To add more batting, I simply use a fusible interfacing along the seam to join the 2 pieces.

Then, re-load the entire quilt on the frame and quilt as normal.

Again, labor intensive, but you'll never notice that it was done, once the quilt is finished.