momski

I am currently working on my first larger (larger than a twin) quilt and have borders that will be longer than my fabric cut. Is it an acceptable practice to piece borders? If that makes sense?

I know this may sound weird but I have never looked at borders that closely, I am normally so wrapped up in the applique, blocks or quilting.

Quilter7x

Yes, I have done it before. Sometimes I do it straight across, sometimes on the diagonal. If I do it straight across, I try to match that up with another seam on the quilt itself so it looks like it was meant to be that way.

GrammaNan

There should be tutorials available to you on this site to help you. As far as it being acceptable, I have pieced a few borders with great success. There are no rules in quilting, so do what you think is best.

pam1966

If you join the border strips on the diagonal, like you do binding, it is less noticeable than joining them straight across. Just what I've seen myself and heard from others.

Cathie_R

I have wondered if anyone else does this. I do piece (seam) my borders especially on large bed quilts. If you add any applique work on the borders and with the quilting you can hardly notice the seam. It saves money on fabric and I think it is easier to cut.

bearisgray

The only suggestion I have:

When/if piecing a border - have all the pieces cut either lengthwise or crosswise - if you have enough fabric to do so.

When it's necessary to be creative, do what you gotta do.

Scissor Queen

I almost always piece borders and I use a straight seam. It takes a lot more fabric when you use a diagonal seam on borders. If your borders are 8 inches wide you lose 16 inches of length for every diagonal seam.

Jim's Gem

I end up piecing my borders most of the time!!! I found that I prefer straight seams instead of the diagonal on most of my borders.

RST

Sure-- I almost always piece my borders.

Depending on the style of your quilt, it could look really interesting to add a thin strip of contrasting fabric at the join -- make it a feature, rather than something to hide. Or if it bugs you to see it, maybe having some applique cover it, or have a block of pieced work break out into the border.

To me, the fabric limitations are invitation to be creative with the design. Some of my most favorite features in quilts are the spur of the moment innovations.

RST

littlehud

I usually make big quilts so I piece my borders all the time. I like to join them diagonally. I just like that look.