Stitch in the ditch quilting
 

I am constructing a memory quilt for a friend whose daughter lost her young life due to domestic violence. I have decided to quilt it by using stitch in the ditch method. They want the quilt extremely simple. I don't want any BUSINESS of the quilting to take away from the true purpose of the quilt. My question is do you prefer to add your borders prior to quilting or after you have quilted the top?

I add my borders before I quilt. I quilt from center out, and end quilting my borders. I've always done it that way. I bind after the quilting is done.

I add the borders to the top, then sandwich the layers. I quilt from "edge to edge" - then trim the excess batting and backing, and then bind it.

I do mine same way as Bearisgray. This is the way most people do it. Good luck with quilting in the ditch or as my friend calls it ditch hopping.

I do the same as Annideb. Always that way.

Unless the quilt is extremely large and you are going to use a quilt as you go method to quilt the borders separately, I don't see any advantage to not adding the borders before quilting. Also, I know you don't want the quilting to interfere with the patchwork, but do follow the batting manufacturers directions on the minimum quilting distance. THis info is on the batting packaging or web site.

I have always found it easiest to add the borders before quilting. I hope once the quilt is pieced, you can post a photo and we can help give suggestion on how to simply stitch in the ditch. As mentioned before, check your batting instruction to how close you have to stitch. That is to prevent from the batting wadding up with in the quilt. It is so nice of you to help this family make a memory quilt. Domestic violence is such a sad affair.

if quilting by machine before. when i quilt by hand, i add as I go.

I always add my borders before I quilt the top. In the case with a stitch in the ditch I would do my ditch stitching first & then quilt my borders last. I generally use a Borders Made Easy pattern for my borders when I can.

http://www.quiltingmadeeasy.com/borders-made-easy/

I love using those for my borders. Sort of gives a simple quilt a bit of pizzazz. :)
I'm terrible with free motion quilting so this is a good alternative for me.

Before, unless the quilt is in quilt-as-you-go method. Sorry for the sad circumstances.