Is there a rule concerning the width of borders when making a wallhanging or quilt that requires one. I am making a wallhanging with 3 1/2 inch squares. Should the border also be 3 1/2 inches or does it matter. I am thinking that if the border were too much larger it would overpower the wallhanging---is this correct thinking? Thanks

It is preference. I have used both large and small borders depending on the quilt and sometimes am surprised what looks great. no rules.

You could use a 1½" border to frame the blocks, then a 2½" border to pull it all together, kind of like matting and framing a pic. Just an idea. I have made several of the McKenna Ryan patterns and sometimes she will have appliques that bring the frame as a part of the pic.

Thanks Murphy. What part of Iowa are you located. I have a cousin in Clinton.

I sometimes will add a wider border and cut it down after quilting if I think it is too wide.

Me too,... great advice from everyone too.

Honestly it is up to you how wide to make your boarders but if you are worried. then "auditions" boarder widths by laying out the quilt and make "strips" of fabric by folding or moving the quilt to the right width. I like to use 2 or so boarders and I think that it helps make a quilt stand out better. I have one that I am working on that has three boarders that are 1" 2 3/4" and 4 1/4". this actually helps to finish the quilt and give it a good optical illusion that I was going for. there are some who also do "mini" blocks in the boarder or piano keys. as I said earlier it is up to you, but if you add a pic of the quilt top with the fabrics that you are thinking about for the boarder and how wide you are thinking we can help you decide.

I've read that the total border should be no wider than your quilt block size.