How to Determine the Width of a Border on a Quilt

Borders can enhance the central design of your quilt.

A border for your quilt is the last critical decision you’ll make in a quilting project. Scale and color both are important. Think of a border as a frame that centers your quilt and showcases the design. You want something that is going to balance your quilt top without looking too skimpy or overpowering the center top. Chosen correctly, the border will enhance the central design without stealing center stage. While there are no hard and fast rules, there are guidelines that you can use in choosing the size of your border.

Things You'll Need

• Quilt top
• Measuring tape
• Pins
• Flannel sheet of padded design wall

Instructions

1. Lay out your quilt top on a large, flat, horizontal surface or pin it to a flannel sheet or padded design panel attached to a wall.

2. Measure the size of your quilt blocks. The rule of thumb is that a border should be some multiple of the size of the most frequently used blocks. If using only one border, plan on a width that is slightly more narrow that the quilt block.

3. Audition border fabrics and widths by placing your quilt top on a design wall or centering it on a large flannel sheet. Place potential border fabrics next to the quilt edges; the texture of the flannel will keep the fabrics from slipping out of place.

4. Vary the size of each border if you are using several borders to frame the quilt. Experiment with having the borders progress from smallest to widest or having the most narrow strip in the middle. Choose the one that provides the best visual balance.

References

• Quilting-Tidbits” :“How to Choose a Simple Border”
• “Quilting Tidbits”: “Quilt Borders Unlimited in Style”