antylu

Would like honest opinions on this question please........if I have fabric long enough to make lengthwise border strips from one fabric and fabric not long enough to do that for a complementing small border strip would it be best to use the long strip and piece the small one or should I piece the one that I have enough fabric for the whole length also. If not clear, should I mix pieced and all one lenghth borders? Thanks so very much in advance, you are all so helpful.

Lori S

Just my opinion but .... don't mix grains... either all lenghtwise or all cross wise. The mix will show where you used cross grain with the lenght wise. The cross grain will appear to not lay as flat when mixed. it just my opinion .. but when it comes to borders... lenghtwise really is preferred It does not have the stretch the cross grain does. Cross grain borders really have a tendency to get a wavey edge because of the stretch.

ckcowl

ive pieced 2" borders & put them in between (2) 4" full length borders in the past- never had any problems- everything laid nice & flat- they looked just fine- i've had no reason to think it's not a good way to go- when i have enough length i often cut my borders- but i also use pieced borders...what ever works for me at the time.

Jingle

I disagree, I cut all my border strips from WOF strips and join most with a diagonal seam. I measure through the center for sides and top and bottom cut to that length. No waves.
I always make my border strips equal pieces. I would not use a long length and pieced pieces for the other side. I would piece both. I hope this is clear and easy to understand.

irishrose

I have no trouble mixing them. The fewer seams, the better. If the narrow border is pressed and starched, it won't stretch unless you stretch it.

joyce888

If I'm doing a narrow inside border I will cut strips and piece together with a diagonal seam. Then I will cut the outer wide border from the length.

Tartan

I usually like to have my orders with no joins in them. Recently I had a quilt almost finished when I realized that I did not have enough fabric to finish one border without a join. I tried carrying a block into the border and I didn't like it. I decided to join two pieces together with a diagonal seam and finish the quilt. The fabric was a fairly dark one and if you didn't know it was there, you would not notice it. Try it and see how you like it from a distance. You can always use a quilting pattern to go over the join to further disguise the seam line.

Holice

if you have enough not to piece one of the borders then use it and piece what you need to...One pieced border won't get angry if it's neighbor is not pieced

cattailsquilts

I never worry about my borders being continuous pieces. I am fairly stingy with my fabric, I want to get as much for my money as I can, so I'd rather buy less yardage and piece the borders from WOF strips, than buy more yardage and cut cross-grain. But that's me. I also try to miter my joins when I can, I like the way it looks better.