hootnannie

Is there a rule about the order in which borders are placed? Do the vertical get sewn first, or the horizontal for that particular color border? I don't have instructions and don't want to cut wrongly. Thanks in advance. Annie

patski

I have never heard of any rule about this. Just top/bottom and then sides or sides first then top/ bottom. I've done it both ways

ekuw

I don't think there is a hard and fast rule on it. Mainly personal preference I think. Sometimes I do as the pattern instructs and sometimes it depends on how much fabric I actually have to use. I don't thing there is necessarily a "wrong" way :-)

Tartan

How are you doin the corners? If you are mitering them, then you need to over cut them the width of the border. You can also do corner blocks so it doesn't matter which you do first. If you are just sewing straight ends over the other boder end, then it depends on your preference. Sometimes if the quilt top has strong vertical elements I like to do the top and bottom first and do the side borders last to reinforce the vertical look. If I am going to be short of fabric, I do the sides first and then the top and bottom as the pieces usually use less fabric length.

quiltsRfun

Rules? I thought all quilters were rule breakers. LOL

luana

Bonnie Hunter explains why she prefers putting the sides on first. Scroll down to "Why side borders first".

http://www.quiltville.com/borderhints.shtml

But it is really a personal preference.

cashs_mom

Only the Quilt Police have rules and I'm definitely NOT the Quilt Police.

lovelyl

Here is a link that might help.
http://www.quiltville.com/borderhints.shtml
i personally do the sides first because I like the way it looks better.

hootnannie

Thank you all for the responses and guidance. I appreciate it all.

NJ Quilter

As another poster mentioned, a lot has to do with how much fabric you have to work with. If you are cutting it close (no pun intended!) Put on your sides first, then the top/bottom. You'll need less fabric for the length in that case.