Border Question
 

I am finishing up my first quilting class which is a Christmas sampler. I want to put 3 border strips around the quilt. If you are using 3 border strips, what size would you make each strip? Thanks, I am new and can use all the help I can get. But...I am loving quilting!! I just wish the quilting police would leave my head and move away.

Well... there is no single answer and so many questions!

I usually use some measurement from my block as a guideline, depending on the size of the project and how I decide to quilt it, I usually want at least 6" total in my border -- but obviously that is almost all of a preemie quilt and on a king sized project 6" can look wimpy.

Do you want to show off some quilting in the border or do you just want to frame the top?

So what size are your blocks? Do you have any sashing? Could you possibly post a picture here?

Thank you Iceblossom for your reply. The ornament blocks are 12 1/2 inches plus the ornament top. The chains are 12 1/2 inches. When I put the blocks together I will add a strip of white at the bottom where there are only 2 ornament blocks to make it all match. I am going to "try" to include a picture of the blocks that I laid out.

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that is lovely!!! some measurements depend on how large you want and how it will look. try laying fabrics out folded to the size you are thinking and look at that awhile.

Agreed! This is a gorgeous quilt! I would use a red border (same red fabric used in blocks). As for size, a border that’s 1/3 the width of a block is eye-pleasing. Start with 4” folded , stand back, take a pic, maybe try 5” on the other edge. You’ll know it’s right when you get a settled feeling ; there are no hard-and fast rules.

Oh that is charming! I'm so impressed what can be done with sampler blocks -- all I can say is it doesn't come easy to me. So the next set of questions is tucked in or not? That bed or not?

I'd probably add an additional band of that ending fabric around the whole thing, and then I like the look of that reddish band on the ornament for a border either that size or a little larger and make little bows with triangles periodically. A ribbon border would also be nice if you have more of the background fabric.

I love your blocks. This will be a pretty quilt.

As for me, I would use a small black border strip, maybe 2" finished or 3" to stop the action in the center. Then maybe the same size in the background fabric. Then maybe a 6 to 8 inch finished of one of the reds for the outside border.

Like someone said up above.... Lay your first border fabric lengthwise down the side. Leave the size you want showing, then lay the next color of top of it. Then lay your final border fabric. Take pictures of what you have designed. I don't know why but seeing it in the smaller version really helps see if it is going to work. Make any adjustments until you like it. Then, start cutting your border pieces.

You layout is 5x5 which equals 60x60 inches finished as it is. Measurements when adding the borders would be
60" Wide with just blocks
6" - for the 2(each edge) x 3 inch borders
6" - for the next 2 x 3 inch borders
12 - for the last 2 x 6 inch borders
84" will be your finished quilt and it will be a square.

That's a fairly big quilt. This page gives you some ideas what sizes are normally made. https://suzyquilts.com/quilt-sizes-chart/ There is nothing that says yours has to be any of these sizes. Quilting is one of those things where you get to make the choices.

If you want, sew your blocks together, then start laying out your borders and show us pictures. We are more than happy to give our opinion, but it is "your" quilt. You have the final choice. There is no right or wrong.

Edited to add. You might want to start with maybe a 2" background border to float all your blocks, then go to a different color, either black or red, or whatever you want to try. I've made quilts with 4 borders and loved them. And some with only 2 and they were fine. Have fun!!!!

You have had plenty of good advice on borders, so just want to say your quilt is really lovely and can't wait to see you post the finished quilt. You did a great job.

I don’t have any border size suggestions but wanted to say lovely blocks!

Your blocks are so pretty and I know you will get some great advice and suggestions from members on this board. I am so glad you are enjoying to start to quilt. It is so relaxing and fun to do. Good luck on your border decisions.

So pretty and I think the red border will really frame it nicely. Just in time for this holiday season.

Lovely blocks! Regardless of what you end up doing for the border, start with about 2" (finished) border of the cream background fabric, so you ornaments can continue to "float" without hitting the outside edges. Then you can add whatever other border(s) you like.

I like the suggestion of a ribbon border, if you are up for more piecing at this point. Or, if you want to keep it simple, maybe a border of red followed by the holly print. Then, bind in the black.

Looking at your picture, I would probably make the borders the width of the ornament strips. - audition them. Lay the widths under the top and walk away. Everytime you enter the room, think about your reaction. Are the colors in the right order? Should the outer border be bigger? Should they graduate in size (2 1/2", 3" and 4")? Trust your gut, what looks best to you is the right choice because you are making it!

A triple border I have used several times is: A narrow border of a large print, the same width or narrower border of a stop: black or white or some other color but mostly solid, then a large border of the first print. Even larger than twice to three times as wide as the other two borders. That makes a stunning border.

I like Tartan's tip. Thank you. I also try to balance borders with how big I want the quilt to be whether it is 1 or more borders.

No matter what you do it will remain very pretty.

What gorgeous blocks!!!
Borders vary but my usual if I'm doing 3 is - maybe a 2 inch, then a 4, then a 5 or 6.
But really it depends on what you want.

I also like using a percentage of the block size, but be flexible to also include the finished size you want it to be. Personally I would add a 2.5" strip around the pieced center using the background fabric. That will center your blocks and float it a little bit. The border would finish at 2". Next I would do a border in one of the reds if you have it, perhaps 4.5" to finish at 4".. Lastly I would do a bit narrower in the black to frame it all, or perhaps a dark green if you have it in the fabrics used. Cut this at 3.5" to finish at 3". I would bind with the same dark fabric, or with the red if you want it a little brighter. You can also switch positions of the 2nd and 3rd colors if you like it better that way. I would still bind with the dark green/black.

Your blocks are lovely!

I really like Barb's suggestion to have the first border be the same fabric you used as the background in the blocks - this will make it so the ornament blocks are not butting up right against the border, which appeals to me.

If it was my quilt, my first idea to try out would be that background fabric about the width of a red strip in the ornament, then a wide border strip of red, and then a binding of the dark fabric used in the lovely blocks with lots of squares. But this idea is only two border strips, not the three you want.

For three border strips, I'm a bit torn on whether to have the dark in the border or as the binding (like above). It could be nice to do light background, the dark green (in the dresden plate block), then the really dark and bind it in red.

I agree that putting trial strips next to your quilt and then taking a photo of it can be a big help. I think that really helps you see the quilt at a better distance, rather than the few feet of distance you have when you're working on. Playing around with a bunch of fabric can let you see how different ideas will play out, and you will probably be able to find something that makes your heart sing! Have fun with it. :)

Personally, I like to lay my quilt out and audition different size borders. The right size will jump out and say, "Me, it's me!"