I hope I don't start a big argument with this one. I was thinking about either putting a border on the sampler when it's finished, or a row of lattice strips at the top and bottom. Not sure exactly.

If I add a border, is it better to put sides on first and then top and bottom or vice versa. I tend to measure at the edges and in the middles, but I'm working really hard at squaring everything up as I go.

If I don't put on a border, and use the extra rows of lattice and cornersquares, I figure I'll have to do the same with the sides and it'll depend on how much material for the cornersquares I end up with.

Also, if I don't have enough of that fabric, could I use the same fabric for the border as I did for the lattice strips? Sorry so many questions, I just really want this one done right.

Melissa

I have always read that you put the side borders on first. Not sure why, but a book I was reading recently said the same.

If the quilt is a rectangle, I put the sides (longer length) on first, then the shorter top and bottom. I did it the other way once and ended up needing to piece the border on the last two sides. It was a good learning experience...made me learn how to do cornerstones :) :) !

There are NO quilt police! Do what looks good to you!!!

lol hows the fabric supply?

thats how i decide if i can length cut i like too, which means if i can i usually do the longest cut first

but if i cant it doesnt matter

rachelle

i'm with Shelley. personal preference wins the day. :-)

couldn't say why, really, but if i'm mitering corners or using cornerstones, i "automatically" do the ends first. if i'm just doing plain strip borders, i do the sides first. it looks odd to me if the sides "cut off" the end strips.

I always make big square quilts. Then it don't matter.

tim in san jose

I'm with Shelly too. It just depends on how you view your quilt & what looks pleasing to your eye. You might even decide to do each one differently. You just can't go worng. Good luck.

Well...I guess I'll wait until the tops done.

Tim...it was good to see you. I was just asking Patrice the other day where you were at. I thought she might have scared you off threatening more toes!

I did the same thing :D The books I have also says to sew sides on befor the top and bottom. It is less work but there is no set rule in quilting so you can do it your own way any way you want.Whatever is best for you.
Bill'sBonBon

I don't know why but I put my top and bottom on first, then the sides.

Maybe it's because I'm left handed. Ha!

i usually do the longer sides first!

Hey Tim. Good to see you're still alive and quilting. I was wondering about you and Steve, too. You've been so quiet lately.

If you want your quilt to be as square as possible without "waves" in the borders it is best to do the sides first and cut the fabric for those sides on the selvage edge. That part of the fabric stretches the least. If it is not possible than do what you have to do. All of us have ended up with quilts that won't lay flat. Straight of grain does make a difference. It also helps if you starch your fabric. Another tip is to put the least stable fabric be it the quilt top or the border on the bottom when stitching. The feed dogs will ease it in.
Good luck.

I tend to do the longer sides first, even if I'm mitering the corners.
And if it's square, what I perceive as the sides get done first.
Guess I'm quirky that way.

But, as stated before, there are no quilt police. And it's a good thing, too. I would have been locked up long ago.

I was just reading Carol Doak's book, she says you have the choice between putting sides or top and bottom first.

Thanks everybody. The top is together and the borders are on. It's ready to sandwich.

I put the side borders on first, then the top and bottom with corner squares. Once I get a pic, I'll post it.

Funny thing. It's square. So I put the side borders on and then couldn't figure out why it wasn't square anymore. Evidently I didn't have my Wheaties today.

Once I finally got it figured out, I added the top and bottom borders without the cornersquares on. Again...breakfast being the important meal in the day.

So...once I got THAT all rearranged, the top is now complete. I made hotcakes and sausage for dinner to get a head start on tomorrow.