ILoveToQuilt

Hi All,

This is probably a dumb question, but is there a correct order to putting on borders? Top and bottom first, then sides? Sides first, then top and bottom? I've never seen this question addressed and I was curious. I tend to do top and bottom, then sides. Have I been wrong all these years?

Thanks!

tesspug

It's personal preference. I try if I can to cut my borders in one piece, which takes a lot of fabric. So I put the sides on first because I can buy just that much less fabric. But it doesn't matter.

Prism99

Usually you want to do the longest sides first, then the shorter sides, as this can save on fabric -- especially if you do not want to piece the borders. Basically you are minimizing the longest lengths of fabric and expanding the shortest lengths. Otherwise you are keeping the short borders as short as possible and making the long borders as long as possible.

Hope this is clearer than mud......

ckcowl

Often people chose to put the sides on first just because of length, if you add the top & bottom first the length of the sides can be quite long, since the quilt is often longer than wide adding the sides first adds to the width instead of the length. If it’s a square quilt it doesn’t matter.
Such as a quilt that is 63” x 72” and you are putting 4” borders on— if you put them on the top & bottom first you need 80” long side borders. If you put the sides on first they are only 72” & the top & bottom are 71” so 2 yards handles all 4 borders.

Anniedeb

I just like the "look" I get when I put the sides on first, then the top. It's just how I started to do it. I think either way works!

zozee

I usually do the sides first (I think?). Maybe I switch it up? LOL I guess I haven't really thought about it.

Jingle

I do the sides first. Years ago I read in a quilt book to do the top and bottom first. Don't remember when I changed.

I always use WOF cuts for borders and binding and join with diagonal seam. Once it is finished I can't tell until I really look for the joins.

Teen

I, typically, do sides first....saves fabric and is easier to to lug around...personal preference and how I was trained. When you do mitered corners, it doesn't matter.

Homespun

I usually do sides first; then top and bottom. It is personal preference, I guess.

nwm50

My longarmer tells me it's better tô do the sides first... then do top & bottom. As there's pulls when quilting at the ends of all the corners. Makes sense?