How would you do the borders? The pattern says to put on sides and then the top and bottom borders. The blocks are done in the reverse, top and bottom pieces and then sides. I am thinking that I like the look of a long piece across the top.

I don't want to miter them because I want to keep the block- like look. What would you do? Opinions please.

I usually do the sides and then the top and bottoms. No reason, that's just what I do.

I agree with you. Doing it your way will not skew the dimensions.

It doesn't really matter whether you put sides or top and bottom on first. Traditionally sides are put on first in patterns. I don't know why. are you only using the red for the border or the black as well?

You have to decide the look you want. As a general rule I do sides then top/bottom but I have no idea why.

I've always thought the long sides were put on first to avoid more piecing. If you put top/bottom first then the long sides have to cover them as well. It also gives the top a more finished look - but unless you're going to display it don't see that would matter. Up to you!

Your way sounds right if it gives you the look you want. I like the square look of corners especially in a quilt top like yours. :)

It's your quilt; do it the way you want to.

How about using corner blocks in your border - that way it really won't make a difference. Use the stripe for the border (or whatever you were planning on) and the red for the corner blocks. That will tie it in to the overall quilt look.

I do the sides, then the top and bottom, because the length is shorter on the sides if you do them first. I don't like to piece my borders, so sometimes I use the length of the fabric. Then when you put the top and bottom on it is the narrower part and no piecing necessary, but it is your quilt and you can do it however you want. Remember, no quilt police here.

The picture only shows the blocks. The striped material goes on as a border and then a wider black border. I think I will do the sides and then the border. Thanks for the opinions.

Generally, if a quilt is going to hang, I want the top & bottom to be 1 solid strip to support the quilt.

With your quilt, I think a corner square would look great, especially if you use 1 of the prints. I would add the sides first, piece the top & bottom with a square, & add them to the quilt, matching the seam.

It follows suit that you have squares in the sashing as well.

Great job, the sashing really accents the quilt beautifully.

Here is a picture of the pattern. I thought I was almost done but thanks to you I am wondering about countinuing the small red squares at the corners of all the squares. Thanks for the idea.

I like your quilt!

For some reason, adding side borders first, then doing top and bottom
gives a more "finished" look.

I think its great, I am a beginner so I really dont know the answer to your question, but if you have any of your material left or could tell me where you purchased it I would appreciate it

I always do the sides first, then the top and bottom.

I sew top and bottom first then the sides. No mitered corners!

if you're asking! I would continue to do top and bottom first to maintain the look of the block. i would also put corner stones in the small striped border.that way the stripes don't touch in different directions.......Hope this helps....Racheal

Do it your way, quilt is yours and whatever way is easier for you to do. I love your quilt, its my kind of quilt, horse lover.

I agree with using cornerstones to break the stripe ...if you don't then I think the left/right vs top/bottom will stick out like a sore thumb. If you use cornerstones it shouldn't matter which you do first!

I always do the sides first and then add the top and bottom. Your quilt looks lovely.

I am a new quilter, but on the few quilts I have done I always do the sides first and then the top and bottom. That just seems to be a "natual" thing for me. By the way, LOVE your quilt-it is going to be awesome when finished.

Do the sides first and then the top.

AMEN!

One of my favorite things about quilting is there are no rules. You can do whatever you like!

By doing the sides first, the top and bottom are a continuous line. The human eye likes to follow a horizontal line better than a vertical one, so it makes the quilt more pleasing to look at.

That is a really good looking quilt!
Put sides or top and bottom on first. To me it makes no difference.

For rectangular quilts, the length is usually greater than the width. Say that I have a quilt, whose finished center is 40" x 60" and I want the finished border size to be 5" wide. (I am using finished sizes below. Add ½" to all sizes to add the seam allowances.)

Add Side Borders First
==============
The length of my side border strips will be the center's length, 60" long.

If I add the side borders first, then I am added 5" to both sides of the finished quilt's width, so I now have

width = 40 + (2 x 5) = 50

So my top and bottom borders will be 50" long.

Add Top & Bottom Borders First
====================
The length of my top and bottom border strips will be the center's width, 40" long.

If I add the top and bottom borders first, then I am added 5" to each, which adds 10" to the finished quilt's length, so I now have

length = 60 + (2 x 5) = 70

So my side borders will be 70" long.

Finished Quilt
=========
In both cases the finished quilt will be 50" x 70", because we added 5" to all sides. If you sew on the side borders first, then the length of your borders will be

side border length: 60"
top/bottom border length: 50"
Total length of fabric = 2x60 + 2x50 = 220"

If you sew on the top & bottom borders first, then the length of your borders will be

sides border length: 70"
top/bottom border length: 40"
Total length of fabric = 2x70 + 2x40 = 220"

I am using the same total amount of fabric, but when I sew on the top & side borders first, then I must deal with a longer length for the side borders. So, if you are not piecing long borders, then it is a little more economical to sew on the side borders first, because you can purchase a shorter length of fabric. If you make small quilts and cut the borders across the WOF (Width of Fabric), then this is not an issue.

Another option would be to use cornerstones in your border.

I love your quilt!

I usually do the sides first, then the top and bottom. I try not to piece the borders any more than I have to. Therefore, if I leave the shortest borders (top and bottom) till last, the side borders don't have to be as long.

you do the sides 1st because the quilt is usually LONGER, than wide & usually that means less piecing of the border. if you do the top & bottom your sides will have to be that much LONGER ex. 10"border X T+B=20'' longer than your longest measurement! I like te least amount of seams in borders!

My quilt teacher(Billie Lauder) told us that you do the side FIRST then the top & bottom. The reason for this is for the LAQ. This way when they are quilting they can make sure that the seams across the top & bottom stay straight and even. It also puts less stress on the side seams, since they are encased by the top & bottom.

I usually do the sides first - that way, I don't have to find another 6" -10+" in length if I were to add on the top borders as well before doing the sides. I always do the shortest measurement for each length and that means less joining or corner squares to make up the length.

There are no rules that say you have to follow the pattern to the letter. It's your quilt, go for it! :D

I think the reason most people put the side borders on first is they go just to the end edges of the quilt (less fabric in border). Then add the top and bottom.

Just wanted to say that I LOVE your quilt. I love all things western and you did a great job of selecting fabrics. The stripe really make a dramatic statement.

I don't really think it matters much how you do the boarders.

Amen!

i have always been told to do the sides first then the top, but i think which way you like is the way you can do it