I like my borders and bindings to POP sometimes. I never make them match. Be bold, Be brave and just do it.

Rules? What Rules?

I'd say 70% of the time my binding matches, 15% of the time I use one of the other fabrics because I'm running short and the other 15% of the time I choose to have a contrasting binding. The back is whatever I can get or have that looks good with the binding and that's the back! I like to get extra yardage and then use the large scraps in no particular pattern for a pieced backing. It's like having two quilts.

I went to a quilt show with my husband last fall and he pointed out that he liked the quilts with a contrasting border. The small wall hanging he pointed out was one piece ivory material and appliqued so there was no "border" but the binding was navy blue. What my husband liked were quilts with a contrasting binding.

Depends on the project, but as everyone is saying, no hard and fast rules about matching.

I don't like to match my border and binding. I love to use striped fabric cut on the 45 degree for bindings.

I agree, been making quilts for 40 years...my borders and bindings rarely if ever match.

They have to match only if you want them to. No rules, you can do whatever you like. I seldom match my bindings (I do straight strips, not bias binding) and just try to find something that I like on both the front and the back.

I never have had a binding be the same as my borders or my backing. They do match or rather, they go together color wise. I was always told to not buy the binding fabric at the same time so that when I was done, I could make the decision then. I usually pick a color out that goes well with the entire quilt when I am finished. I usually lay it on the bed and audition several colors before making my choice.

Suit yourself. I often use black for accent.

Matchy-matchy is highly overrated. Use what you have. Sometimes it feels good to work outside your comfort zone.