how do you decide what size border?
#1
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Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Southern Indiana
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how do you decide what size border?
I am finishing up at quilt top and I want a border.. I just feel like the quilt needs one. The squares were 5" (finish at 4-1/12"). Right now the top is 67 x 87
How do you decide what size border to put on ? Do you just eyeball it? I did use a pattern for this quilt, but the pattern didn't have a border on it.
Please let me know your thoughts
Thank you
How do you decide what size border to put on ? Do you just eyeball it? I did use a pattern for this quilt, but the pattern didn't have a border on it.
Please let me know your thoughts
Thank you
#2
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Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 15
I was just browsing online recently for the same topic and read somewhere that the overall finished width of the border should never be larger than one block. I believe they recommended that the border should be 1/2 to 2/3 the size of a quilt block.
Now, those dimensions sounded pretty specific to me and I know some quilts would require or look much better with larger borders, but maybe that will give you a starting point to help mock-up the border?
Regards,
Steve
Now, those dimensions sounded pretty specific to me and I know some quilts would require or look much better with larger borders, but maybe that will give you a starting point to help mock-up the border?
Regards,
Steve
#5
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Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Southern California
Posts: 19,127
If I don't have a pattern suggestion, I usually put the quilt on the design wall and audition different widths of the border (just fold the fabric). Usually I would use a size of 4.5" to 6.5". Sometimes it helps to take photos with the width written in view. It is what you think looks best that counts. Wish you had posted a photo.
#6
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Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Michigan
Posts: 11,276
Basically I eyeball it. I usually do a stop border, from 1/2 to 1", then I hold auditions for the final border by laying out the border fabric and just laying the quilt top on it and moving it around. I think the border width is also determined by the size of the quilt. If you have a queen size quilt with 4" blocks, your border can be larger than 4". And finally I really like to use large prints in borders so sometimes I base the border width on the size of the motif. Gee I guess I'm no help at all!
#8
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Location: howell, Mi
Posts: 2,345
I don't think there is a hard and fast "rule" for borders. A lot depends on the size of the quilt. I like to make a narrow stop border and then a wider outer border. Remember, No quilt police--it's your quilt and you should do as you please. I have made a wider border when I need the quilt to be larger.
Sue
Sue
#10
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Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Southern Indiana
Posts: 3,111
Another thing that helps me decide is how wide is my ruler. I have a 3 1/2, 6 and 6 1/2 inch wide rulers. Make it easy when cutting to make my borders one of these widths if possible.
Thanks everyone. I will check out some of these suggestions and "audition" them and see which I like best
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dolores
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11-08-2010 01:16 PM