I have this pattern that I'm shopping fabrics for. I had left the pattern at home this week when we went out of town but I remembered that it said I needed 1 1/2 yards of each border fabric for border and sashing (you use 4 different fabrics for each side of the border). So I buy 1 1/2 yards of 3 different fabrics I found yesterday at a shop. I come back to the hotel and think about looking the pattern up online (didn't think of that before :roll: ). I find it and it actually only calls for 1/2 yard of each border fabric. That's fine, I don't mind that I bought more but I was thinking I wouldn't have to piece the borders and that the pattern was calling for enough fabric so you could avoid that. But even with 1 1/2 yards I'll still have to piece but with only 1/2 yard you'd REALLY have to piece. The picture of the finished quilt on the pattern (60 something inches by 71 inches) most definitely does not have it's borders pieced. It's my own fault for not knowing exactly what I was shopping for but if I'd of know the finished size beforehand, I would have bought 2 yards to avoid piecing. I just wish the pattern wouldn't give you such minimal fabric requirements, or at least give you minimum amounts AND no piecing amounts. *sigh* So now I'll have to piece big floral borders and hope I can make them look right. :(

I know how you feel. I don't like pieced borders either. It seems like the patterns are skimping for the frugal quilter, yet some patterns have you buy way more than you need. I bought a pattern and the fabric at a QS and when I got done I had enough fabric to make another quilt!! Expensive stash!!! I read the patterns much more now and calculate the yardage myself.

I think the accepted practice is for patterns to give yardage for WOF cutting, thus pieced borders. It would be nice if they put a note somewhere that mentioned that fact, however, with or without the increased yardage requirements. When I go "public" with mine, I will be sure to do just that, so I thank you for mentioning your frustration. :)

I agree... Most quilters prefer a continuous border cut in one piece and the pattern should note whether it is whole or pieced in the fabric requirements.
One extra sentence can mean a big difference :wink:

I understand, they show a pic with a whole sash , but the fabric requirements will make it pieced :hunf: And it really really does make a difference in the end if it is a fabric with patterns :roll: I would rather have the extra and add it to my stash :wink: LOL

On large bed quilts I do piece borders if I'm using a solid color fabric. With a quilting design on it and sometimes applique you can hardly see the seam. However, I don't enter these in judged shows; they are for my own enjoyment and use and for family. It sure saves money in having to buy a lot of extra fabric.

On the other hand, I am doing a custom quilt with sashings. The pattern was in a popular magazine and calls for like 7 yards for this sashing. It took me a little white to figure out that they used border prints, but there is still no way possible that it could take that much fabric. I did my own calculations, and I bought 1 3/4 yards. I can't afford to buy 7 yards when it only needs less than 2 yards.