I just finished a small lap quilt, about 32" x 32". Right now it has a 3 1/2 purple border, but the purple is just too light to be on the outside. If I add a darker border should I go bigger than the inside border? Or smaller?

Bigger.

How much bigger?

Fold some fabric out at different widths and see what you like. I'm guessing 6" or so with the 3-1/2" border you already have.

Could you just bind it in a darker color?

I would go with a second boarder. but post a pic and we can tell you better. I would also go with a darker purple or a green that would go with the quilt top. but that is me. and you can bind it in a third color and make it a thick binding.

Here's what I ended up with. I trimmed the original purple border down and added a 4" blue border. I didn't have enough of the blue fabric to make them any bigger. I think the borders look ok, but the rest of the mistakes..not so much. lol

Thanks for everyone's suggestions.

I think it is pretty and I like the border

Looks really cute. You did good!

Looks good.