Rule of thumb for border widths?
 

I tried googling this topic, but I must not be using the correct terminology! Quilt top is log cabins, blocks are 9" finished, with 3/4" finished logs. Size is 54x81". I want to add a narrow "stop" border, and then a wider border and binding.
Thinking of 1 1/4" finished stop border and 3" finished border, with the usual binding-I cut 2" strips, press in half machine stitch to front, turn it and hand stitch to back. Do these border proportions sound ok? Is there a site that might help me determine this? Thanks, and Happy Easter! :)

I was told by my quilting teacher 30 years ago - if you start with 3", then go 6". So to start with 1-1/2", then 3", then 6" would be really good. Some people use a border just on 2 ends but I like them all the way around. It depends on the quilt. Best of luck to you.

I like to fold my border fabrics in different widths and "audition" them to see what looks best to me. Taking pics help. I upload them to the computer and view them side by side. I find it's easier for me to decide that way. I often use an inner border, usually 1-1/2" or 2" finished, depending on the top. Most of my borders vary between 4"-6" unless I am doing a scalloped border. Those I cut wider usually.

I agree with katier825, 1to 2 inches for the inner thin border, then 4 to 6 inches for the outer border.

It's all about what you think looks good with your blocks. Most times I put a 1 to 2" stopper border around the blocks and then add my final border(s). Sometimes it's 1, sometimes 2, somestimes 3. It's whatever I decide looks good with the blocks. Taking a picture of it and looking at the picture helps me immensely. I just don't believe there is any right or wrong with borders, just whatever you like. That's why you can't Google it. A lot of modern quilts using blocks we all know have no borders. And they look great and very modern.

I'm with Barb. No hard and fast rule. Sometimes it is the width (or length) you need to finish your top.

I really think it's all a personal preference. I like to audition the sizes as others have stated but I also kinda go by the size of the quilt; the bigger the quilt, the wider the border ( in most cases).

I'll be honest - i eyeball it...

I like a 1/2" - 1" stopper border (kinda like a narrow mat on a picture), then 4" - 6" for the border. Frequently, my stopper border is the same fabric as the binding. In that case, I use a 3" strip to achieve the 1/2" binding.

I know of no 'rule' and, if there was one, I'd probably ignore it anyway. It's all about proportion. With 9" log cabin blocks using ¾" logs, I definitely wouldn't go any bigger than a 1½" stop border. That's twice the log width and one sixth of the block width. It would transition very smoothly to your wider border (which is part of the purpose of a stop border after all). Your 1¼" plan sounds fine though. For the wide border, auditioning is the best idea if you don't have a specific finished size that you want to wind up with.