What size border
 

I purchased a panel that turns out to be 32" x 35". It was supposed to be 36" x 35" but the lady cut it very crooked and by the time I got it straightened - 32 x 35. Thankfully, it didn't have an effect on the scene in the panel. And this is for a bassinet or car seat quilt so the smaller so size is ok.

But I'm new to this and need to know what size border to add. Would you put a 2" or 4" border on this? I'm afraid 2 will be too small and 4 will be overpowering. What would you do?

Thanks!!

I usually cut a strip and lay them out or audition them. You'll know which one looks better. Maybe 2 1/2"? or3"? Remember the seam allowance too.

I agree with JJean except I lay the quilt on top of the border fabric to audition border widths. You can play with the width without cutting into the fabric. I try to have the border relate to something in the quilt, especially for pieced blocks.

Also allow a little extra in your quilt size if you do not preshrink your batting. I use bamboo/organic cotton batting for kids quilts. bamboo is supposed to be bacteriostatic.

Jeanne

I like to use more than one border in my quilt... it give more of a "framed" effect. I would go with a narrow/skinny inner border of the lightest or darkest color in the fabric. For the next border use a middle color and make the size to give you a quilt you want. Using two borders will help to balance the overall borders width with the rest of the quilt. It won't look so much like you were just trying to make it bigger.

I also use at least 2 borders every time. First is a very narrow (maybe 1/4" - 1/2") stop border to frame the blocks and let the eye rest. Then I add a border that is proportional to the size of the quilt. If it's, say, 42" x 42" then I usually end up with a 4" finished border. Then I add a contrasting binding which acts as my third border. I audition the widths/colors by laying the quilt onto the fabric I'm considering.

Thanks for the input. I'm trying to the two border approach. Not sure how it's going to be because I am having to sew several shorter pieces together to make the right lengths for the narrow inner border. But hey, it's good practice and I definitely need that!!!

If joining join with a diagonal same as binding joins. If putting pieces together could you use 2 or more fabrics and make a pieced section.
Then final border width of choice. I like to put a very narrow section almost like a faux border just to separate.