I used a narrow inside border and a border print about 9 inches wide for the edges of my string quilt. It is beautiful. Yes you can successfully use borders with a string quilt.

I agree with everyone here. I've made several string quilts and haven't put anything behind the border. If anything, the single layer perhaps lets the string blocks become more prominent with the extra thickness. As has been said before, it's your quilt to do as you please.

Hope you post a photo when the quilt is done. Fabric selection sounds very interesting!!

I've done a couple of string quilts using muslin for the foundation and haven't found it to be a problem when I add my borders which are usually a solid one layer. Never noticed there being a difference in thickness though I know there is. Once it gets sandwiched together and quilted you might not notice the difference as much as you think.

If you wanted to add a border with the same weight you could add it the same way as you would if you were making "a quilt as you go" quilt.

You-tube has quite a few good tuts on how to do this.

I usually don't add borders to string quilts. I use a paper foundation that tears off easily, mail order clothing catalogs.; its free. :)

Thanks for asking this question, I have thought it, but never remembered to ask the Board. Now I know the answer!

this is something I've wondered about too LOL! I'm working on finishing a string quilt now from a swap several years ago not sure if I'm gonna add a border or not. I have another I really wanted to finish but it's using eleanor burns's quilt ina day where you leave a center strip open to the muslin and I don't have more of the same muslin and can't find any that matches and it bugs me to put regular string quilt blocks with it LOL!

Thanks busy fingers, I am making a string quilt with a border, and now that it's time to put the border on I didn't know what to do, I like your answer.

I bought a bolt of cheap muslim it was so thin so not good for a quilt, I used that instead of paper...no ripping, I saw no difference in thinkness and it was very easy. You can also use old linings from curtains or old thin cotton shirts that you were going to donate.