Personally, I LOOOOVVVVEEEE long, straight-of-grain borders. If there's a pieced border in there, I put on the inner border(s), then the pieced border, then the outer border(s).

I remember when I thought they were hard. Then I tried them and instantly fell in the love with them.

I like both. I've tried one, the solid, but am going to work on the other one.

I, too, like to cut borders on the straight of grain. It keep the edges from "flouncing."

How do you do a border that is not pieced?? Do you have to buy yardage that is the length in which you need??

Kyia

That's what I try to do. Depending on the method of cutting my pieces, I sometimes cut my borders before cutting across the WOF. It does take more fabric to cut borders that way, but you can always use what's leftover for another project -- right???

if you do that, and your binding fabric will also be used in your blocks or border(s) don't forget to cut your binding strips first. otherwise, you may accidentally start cutting your block pieces from one end of the fabric, and then discover you don't have enough for that solid strip binding.

don't ask me how i know. :roll:

Yes Patrice, you're right about the binding. It is best to do that on the straight of grain also. I have gotten by with the binding cut on the WOF and spliced it as though I am piecing a bias piece. The seam is on the bias and doesn't show. If the border is on the straight, the crosswise grain of the binding is stable enough. Does that make sense or does it "sound like I have marbles in my mouth?" :lol:

If I have a lot of strip piecing in the quilt, I don't cut off those borders first. I work with the width as is (so all my strips come out just about the same size - it would be nice if 45" wide meanth 45" wide...) and buy the extra yardage for the length of the border (plus a little fudge room). To me, it's not a waste, it's "stash enhancing". :D

I like them for smaller quilts...however..it costs me a FORTUNE to buy that much fabric for some of my well...large girls. I'm fine (usually) with piecing my borders.

Just last week I had squares that I sewed together to make long strips for a border and when I pressed the seams open - unless you're right on top of the seam you can't see the seams. I'd worried how "visiable" the seams would be but they weren't and I was using a solid, which I was certain was sure to want to show the most.

I don't have a preference, I try to do whatever I think will look best on the quilt.