Border width
 

My latest quilt uses 4.5in squares and I've added a 1in border in a contrasting fabric. The main border will pick up the background colour of the top. I was going to make it 4in wide, but am wondering if it should be 4.5in like the squares?

Lay a piece of the border fabric under it at 4" then in another place 4.5" and see which you like best. I like to "audition" things like this before cutting into the fabric.

I agree with Silver Needle - sometimes agreeable proportions don't align with measured width, so don't lock yourself into measurements. Go with what looks good to you.

Totally agree with both of the above statements. And try some other measurements out as well. You might be surprised at what looks appealing to you.

Thanks for the replies. I was just curious to know if there was any theory/rule about border width, especially when the top is made up of squares. Not that I'm known for keeping to rules �� Ive played around with it this morning, and am going for a 4in border.

I wouldn't call this a "rule", per se, more of a helpful suggestion when you're stuck. It's called the Fibonacci sequence, or the Golden Rule.

https://www.jinnybeyer.com/blog/the-...-golden-ratio/

https://www.jinnybeyer.com/blog/fibo...-golden-ratio/

https://comestitchwithme.com/2014/09...h-for-a-quilt/

http://fieldatthepaddocks.blogspot.c...acci-grid.html

https://prezi.com/gztzw-gtwupl/quilt...mber-sequence/

https://scientificquilter.com/2010/0...ith-fibonacci/

http://katandcatquilts.blogspot.com/...ches-july.html

I like 2 or 3 borders using the same material or a complimentary material as in the quilt. I have the inside border narrower than he outside. Whatever I think will look good.
I also agree, do what pleased your eye.

I also audition to see what looks better to me but sometimes I use up what at whatever size. If given the choice, I like to use "like" measurements from the center or something that is divisible by the same factor. Example, if my block is 5" I might make the border 7.5" (both are divisible by 2.5). I don't think there is real science to it or hard rules.

I've seen them with even larger borders. If you are wanting to do some fancy quilting, you could go 5 or 6 inches. I believe it all depends on how large you would like it to finish.

Thanks Peckish. That's the sort of thing I had in mind - whether there are proportions that are generally held to produce results that will be pleasing to the eye. In years of quilting, I'd never come across anything like that, though I've heard of the Golden Rule as applied in architecture, but it's always interesting to hear about other quilters' approaches and views.