Quilt boarders
 

Does it matter What boarders are added first the side boarders or the top and bottom boarders?

I usually do the sides first and then the top and bottom. I think it looks better this way.

It's a personal choice. I often add sides first just because if I add the top/ bottom first the sides have to be much longer. Since I generally try to cut borders length without piecing this saves fabric. But, it's not a ( rule) I have added top/ bottom first on occasion and if you are mitering your corners it doesn't effect the look whichever way you go.

I too believe it is a personal choice. I usually add my borders on the sides and then the top and bottom.

I have seen patterns that can be done either way but if you do the top and bottom first you distort the visual length of the quilt. It increases the visual appearance of the width and shortens the visual appearance of the length. Mitered corners will keep that from happening. So, it up to you to decide what is important to you from a visual point of view. I like to cut lengthwise borders on the lengthwise grain of fabric and the top and bottom borders on the crosswise grain.

I dont see how "visually" it makes a difference. Top/bottom vs sides first. The all over print or solid fabric "blends"in that seam be it vertical or horizontal. But, I must say, if the BORDER fabric print is in anyway directional the mitered corner does make for a smooth, eye pleasing finish along with keeping the directional the same all the way around. JMHO. And it is also recommended that all borders be cut lengthwise from fabric...because loss stretch lengthwise as width wise. I personally don't follow that rule, except if pattern needs to be continued that way, but I do match centers and ends to make sure I don't get a wavy border......that's just my way

I usually do sides then top and bottom, unless they are mitered borders. As previously stated, most fabrics blend together and nobody can tell which was done first without studying the quilt up close.

Side borders, then top and bottom borders. Someday maybe I'll learn to miter the corners.................

P.S. This word is spelled b-o-r-d-e-r, not with an "a". :)
With an "a" the word means someone who lives temporarily or is renting in a property....as in a boarding house.

Love ya, :o
Jan in VA

Depending on how much fabric I have I don't usually care if I put on the sides or the top/bottom first. It does save fabric to put the sides first but I don't always like how that looks, it depends on the blocks I think. Sometimes it depends on the fabric for me too, in some cases I do corner squares. One thing I don't really think about that was mentioned here is about the fabric grain. I know there is a stability issue this addresses but isn't that only if they will be hung? And I also find centers and pin there as well as the ends first, and then work my way in to keep the fabrics even. That does seem to make a difference. But I think you should do your borders any way you like. No quilt police here.

The ancient Greeks built their temples by, in effect, adding the side borders (walls) first and then adding the top border (roof). Most of us have appreciated and copied that "look" ever since. To me, it is still the more pleasing of the two alternatives.

If a rectangle finished quilt I do sides first top and bottom last. If a square with no way up then it doesn't matter which you do first or last as long as you do opposite pairs not like a log cabin unless it is part of the pattern.

Most of the patterns that I have used have been written to apply the sides first then the top/bottom. So I do.

Thanks for your help and comments!

I am a beginner and took a class to learn how to quilt. The instructor had us measure both side edges as well as the
middle and average the 3 values. This number is the size to cut both side borders. She had us do this to square up our quilts, then add the top and bottom borders.

I generally add the sides then the top/bottom just because I like the line across the top not to be broken with a seam. I could miter the borders, but this is easier!

Wouldnt it it be a bit difficult to put up a roof without the walls to keep it up there? Not in construction, so maybe there's a way, but not my forte.......

I add the borders to the side first because of the length is usually much longer for that than the top and bottom border. This saves on the amount of fabric needed to complete the project. Once that is figured out, it is an easy choice.

I miter the borders on almost all my quilts.

It was so funny when I read the title of this thread I thought to my self is this some one who takes in quilts to keep for awhile. LOL

Misspellings
 

Thank You Jan! This drives me crazy but then that's my problem!! I wonder if it's people's spell check programs that are changing the word "border" to "boarder". If we don't scan what we write before hitting that "send" button we can end up saying things we didn't mean. :)

I tend to do top, bottom then sides. But honestly, it really does not matter in the long run.

There is no definite answer to this question. It depends on how you were taught. I keep taking classes because I really enjoy the socializing that goes with the teaching and learning. I've never taken a class from a teacher who hasn't said that you need to do the sides first and the top and bottom last. Everyone seems to think that the shorter lengths are easier to measure and handle. It also seems to lessen the chance of distorting the finished quilt top.

And thanks, Jan, for taking the spelling issue to heart. I tell people that I am probably one of two people in the world today who won't split an infinitive! I love to read paragraphs with good grammar and proper spelling.

Thanks Jan. But boarding actually has to do with the meals you get at the boarding house. The dictionary says a boarding house is: "A private home that provides meals and lodging for paying guests." Sometimes you see adds for houses that have "room and board".
I love nit-picking this kind of stuff. I have a book called "Woe Is I" by Patricia T. O'Conner. The Grammarphobe's Guide to Better English in Plain English. You'd never believe how funny it can be to read about this.
(My computer doesn't like Grammarphobe, but that's what is in the book.)

The only time I did top and bottom first was when I was adding a pieced border and I did not have to adjust it if I did them first and then the sides. My quilter rolled her eyes when I explained my reasoning. I made the pattern up so I thought it made complete sense. I just don't think there are quilt police out there, even though some like to act like it. Do what works for you.

I do the longest side first. If equal, then ditto what DOTTYMO stated.

And often the finger is quicker than the eye and unable to return to correct.

I do the sides first and then the top/bottom. Some patterns call for the other way around but I tend to stick with doing the same thing. I just like that topped off part I guess.

I just pick a side and have at it. Sometimes, if you do the longer ones first, it feels like you're closer to the finish.