Border Direction?
 

I have heard opposing views on this, but thought I'd ask again. Is it better for border fabric to be cut across the fabric, or long way? Either way, I'll have to piece it, and it's a busy design that won't show the seam much. On some quilts I've bought the yardage to have enough to go long way for the whole thing, but don't want to spend that much on this quilt. Seems to me there was discussion on the amount of stretch of the fabric going one way or the other. Tried searching and not finding answers.
Thanks for your expertise.

Yep, you'll hear many views. I do mine across the fabric. I don't have a problem piecing a border, and once it's quilted you can't tell it's pieced anyways - unless it's a big print or geometric or something like that. I'd still do mine widthwise, not lengthwise if this was the case, too.

You will have more stretch going across the grain than down it. Cutting your borders down the selvage will give you less stretch. BUT, if you are careful in your sewing and quilting it shouldn't matter. :)

I cut mine along the selvage for the same reason Dakotamaid mentioned.

I cut mine crosswise because I generally have to piece it, and I don't like my left over fabric to have the selvage already cut. I get the lengthwise thing about now stretching, and agree, but it just seems easier for me to do it crosswise.

This could be a hot topic as everyone has their own way of doing it. I personally always use the width of fabric. Reason being that I often will use a totally different fabric for a border, and am not willing to purchase that much fabric for a border.

Either way would work, BUT my advise would be: Whatever way you choose, use it consistently, for all sides of the border.

amh

I do mine crosswise. The bit of stretch is never a problem.

I've just dealt with this issue in one quilt. The quilt from he!! btw! My border fabric was very directional. In order to have the borders work correctly I needed to do both lengthwise and crosswise grains/cuts. To be honest, I did not notice much difference in the stretch. This is LQS fabric...don't remember manufacturer. In fact, I tore the lengthwise pieces and have the least amount of 'waffling' on the edges of any other fabric I've done this with previously.

And now tomorrow I will spend close to 2 hrs. on the road to pick up more backing fabric, as the pattern is about 1 yard off on that requirement!

I've done it both ways - it depends on the fabric, how much fabric, the design and on and on. I think it's another of those personal choices.

it's a personal choice- do it how ever you want- some people would rather cut lengthwise when they would not have to piece it- if they do have to piece often they choose to cut the width- or if a directional fabric is reason for choice- there is no 'right or wrong' what ever works for you is just fine....don't stress over the little stuff; make your quilts the way you want to.