Yes, at least a 3" border--I think I would make it black. Makes it a little more striking. Lots of time I do this,to use up scraps and then I use it for a quilt backing. Makes for an interesting reversable quilt. and at times I do cut them into squares and then just reverse them,making some stripes go up and down and side ways with a black sashing, A cheap backing and interesting quilt backing.