Can this be done?
 

Has anyone added borders after the quilt has been quilted? My frame only allows me to quilt 92 or less inches wide. If I want it wider, can I add a border after it has been quilted? Do I sandwich it with batting and then add it? Can I just add a hemmed skirt or ruffle? Any suggestions are welcome. I'm just brainstorming

Get Marti Michell's book, Machine Quilting in Sections. It explains exactly how to quilt the borders separately and then add them to the quilt. You can use either DSM or longarm.

yes, yes, and yes. Both of your suggestions are workable ideas.

Of course, you could add a hemmed skirt or ruffle ... what do you want?

You could look at QAYG techniques as a possible way to do what you want to do.

Also, take a look at MaryKatherine's thread where she did the reno of a quilt, already quilted, finished and bound. She gives good explanations as to how she did it!

I hope to make an old quilt that my mother made and quilted, but didn't bind. Will be watching this thread.

Thanks, I ordered the book. What is DSM?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji8BLS2rNHA
here is a good video

Thanks, I ordered the book. What is DSM?

refers to a domestic sewing machine. (not a longarm)

DSM = Domestic Sewing Machine

I finished a quilt for customer to her measurements and discovered on delivery that it was too short on the sides. I took it back home and added a 8" ruffle to 3 edges by sewing it directly to the binding with just an inch showing inside the quilt and the remaining hanging down. The customer loved it and you can't tell that it wasn't planned that way!

Yes I have especially large quilts which don't fit my Laq so they go on last. Also Pauline ineson in her heirloom quilt put the borders on last. .

I found this tutorial. I think it will work for what I want to do. http://www.overthemoonarts.com/2011/...fter-quilting/

I've used these two different methods to attach borders.
http://www.marcigirldesigns.com/1/po...-tutorial.html
http://www.thequiltingedge.com/2011/...g-borders.html

I see you have your answer and I hope the book helps you.

Thank you for all of the links and suggestions. I've looked at the tutorials and there are several options, and I think I can do this.

Hi, I have done that but I'm sure it is possible -----Love it when you post just for the chance to see your adorable dog,always makes me smile.Letty

I have added a border to a finished quilt, and it really isn't that hard to do. Here's an excellent tutorial on how to do it: http://www.thequiltingedge.com/2011/...g-borders.html

I have done this many times. When I want a quilt larger than I can handle quilting on my DSM, I first make the center part and quilt it and then add borders on by adding the border and the batting to the front side, pinning and sewing it together and then add another piece of border fabric to the back. I iron them so they lay flat quilt the borders (say you were doing top and bottom), square it up and then add the borders the same way to the sides. Works out just fine.

Thanks for the info on DSM. Glad I am not the only one who is not "with it" Betsy - Boo

Sure, why not? Add a border, or more to the top. Same to the back. Zig zag batting to the existing batting in the middle. Will take some time, but will work,and be well worth the effort. Much luck. Post pix of before and after, please.

THANK YOU soooooooooooo much for the site. The Gourmet Quilter video was so helpful. I'm hosting a Sit 'N Stitch next week, and this will be the technique I will teach. Again, thanks!

Yes, it can be done.

I extended a quilt by just quilting a strip and attaching to each side and ends.

I also made a quilt in two pieces (cut in half) and joined later.

Good info, I think it will help me finish a quilt I wasn't happy with. :o

It's your quilt-------do what makes you happy. If you add borders after it's been quilted, you might be able to machine quilt the border, even on a small domestic machine. And if you're hand quilting, you could just continue out.

I have done it a different way. Fold the fabric on the sides in when you put it on your frame and make it fit the frame with the excess folded. Then I quilt the parts that I can get to avoiding the folded in fabric. If you are on a longarm you should be able to quilt everything except for the sides. Then take it off the frame and turn it 1/4 turn folding in the new sides and quilt the areas that you weren't able to do the first time. If you are not on a longarm this should work also. The time it takes to reposition it on the frame should be less than the time to get the borders on and quilt them later.