Borders
 

Hi all, I was just wondering if you all plan your borders when picking out fabric for your quilt. I seem to not be able to decide about the borders until the quilt center is done. I wonder if some of you also use completely different fabric for the borders {just something that blends well}, that will go nicely with the quilt. Thanks for reading, and happy quilting!

I always wait til the top is done.

I have done it both ways, but usually plan the borders from the beginning. Sometimes when it's all done, I think it needs 'something extra' and so may add an additional border.

i usually wait as well, unless the border is an integral part of the design of the quilt

My borders are almost always my background color. The exception is almost always a baby quilt, and will decide when the top is done.

I generally decide when the center is done.

I guess Im a planner, I buy my border fabric or pick it from my stash when I plan the quilt.

I almost always get the border fabric after the center is done and get the backing after the birder us dine.
Sue

Finish the center. Then decide on the borders. Then put it in the UFO pile. ROLFL!!!! That's my MO on making quilts. (Yes, I am serious!)

The few times I have chosen (and bought) border fabric at the beginning of the quilt have been futile. I almost always get something different be it from my stash or the LQS. So I recommend waiting until the center is done.

Linda in Missouri

I usually wait till the top is done. then let the top help me decide.

I usually pick the border fabric first then pick the fabrics for the blocks based on the border fabric.

Me too. I would panic about not finding something to border that worked well

I may *think* about the border, but I never make any firm plans (like buying or cutting fabric) until I'm done with the center of the quilt .. then I audition ideas.

I do have a quilt in my head (itching to get out) ... I have the border print that would be awesome as a mitered border, so now I have a frame and need to fill it :)

Depends on the quilt, I have done it both ways.

I do it both ways, cause sometimes you find a piece of fabric for the perfect border and sometimes the blocks (center) just can't wait to get going!

If my quilt has a background I use the background for the border to make the quilt top float. I don't like contrasting borders that much. And I usually use the same fabric for the binding. I don't like my quilt to looked boxed in.

Me too. the center of the quilt is usually corrdinated with the border at least the large last border. Sometimes my choice for inner borders and sashing will change. My outer borders are usually chosen with a specific color in ind

It's nice to plan the border first, then I can cut long LOG strips that don"t need pieced, which is nice when the design needs lined up to piece it. That said, the last time I did that the quilt "grew" past it's designated size and I still had to piece. Will allow for creative expression next time. Mitered borders also add length which I hadn't planned on.

I have made 4 projects, I planned the border on all 4 and actually ended up using what I planned once. When the top is finished prior to border, it takes on another look - different than how I envisioned it. That's just me, sometimes my flexible thinking gets me into trouble, I flip and flop until I am totally confused. Drives my husband crazy! To me it's part of my creative process and madness!

I always wait until the top is finished before I choose the border fabric.