How to Add a Border to a Tumbling Blocks Quilt

A tumbling blocks quilt requires the quilter to make detailed triangle-shaped quilt pieces that are blocked together. The end result is a quilt that looks like a group of three-dimensional boxes. Quilts are not complete without a border, which gives the quilt a finished look and makes it more appealing to the eye. Make the border from fabric you used in your quilt, so the color scheme is cohesive. Your border can be as thick or thin as you like.

Things You'll Need

• Fabric
• Tape measure
• Scissors

Instructions

1. Measure your quilt through the middle horizontally. Cut two border pieces of this length. The width of each piece is up to you, but each one should be the exact same width.

2. Put the right side of one border piece to the right side of your quilt and stitch together. Keep a straight line and a 1/4-inch seam all the way though. Place the other border piece to the other side of the quilt with right sides together and stitch in place. Open the border pieces from the quilt and press with an iron.

3. Measure your quilt lengthwise through the middle of the quilt, including the side border pieces. Cut two border pieces of the same length. These border pieces should also be the same width as the other border pieces.

4. Pin the right side of one border piece to one edge of the quilt with right sides together. Stitch in place. Pin the other border piece to the final edge of the quilt and stitch. Open the border pieces from the quilt and press with an iron.

5. Attach binding to finish your quilt.

Tips & Warnings

• Mark the middle of each border piece, and match the middle of the border to the middle of the quilt. Your measurements must be accurate to avoid a messy or wavy border.

References

• "The Border Workbook: Easy Speed-Pieced and Foundation-Pieced Borders"; Janet Kime; 2006
• "Borders, Bindings and Edges"; Sally Collins; 2004
• HGTV: Tumbling Blocks