How to Finish the Border on a Quilt

You can use the border to add an interesting dimension to a quilt.

The border adds the final finishing touch to a quilt. You can use the border to complete the design or add a few extra inches to the quilt. Your first consideration when finishing the border on a quilt should be the characteristics of a border that would most enhance the design and not detract from it in any way. If you have a large quilt with a busy pattern, you may only need a simple, thin binding in a complementary color. For more impact, you can choose a large border in a bright or contrasting color. You can also add a patterned border for a decorative effect.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure
• Binding or strips of fabric for the border
• Thread
• Needles
• Pins
• Scissors
• Sewing machine

Instructions

1. Measure the length of each side of the quilt and measure the length through the center.

2. Cut a length of binding or a strip of border fabric that is two inches longer than the length of the quilt, for each side. You can use a length of satin ribbon or quilt binding for perfectly finished edges, or finish the edges of a piece of cut fabric for your border by sewing down any raw edges. You will need one extra inch of border on each end for the corners.

3. Attach the backing fabric to the quilt and baste it down around all the edges to secure. Use a needle and thread or sewing machine.

4. Spread the quilt out on a flat work surface and smooth it out so it has no wrinkles or puckered fabric.

5. Fold the strip of border fabric over one edge of the quilt, starting at the top edge and leaving an inch of border fabric extended past the edge of the quilt. You can fold the border so that the border is even on the top and undersides of the quilt. If you choose to fold it unevenly, place the larger side of the fold on the top side of the quilt and the smaller side on the underside. Pin or baste the border down all the way to the bottom edge of the quilt, allowing an inch of border fabric to extend past the edge of the quilt.

6. Fold a triangular pleat into the extra inch of border fabric extending past the end of the quilt, and then fold it down over the raw edge of the adjoining side of the quilt at a 45 degree angle and pin it down creating the appearance of a neat, mitered corner.

7. Attach the border around the entire quilt, using the same technique outline in step 5 for the edges and in step 6 for the corners.

8. Sew the border on to the quilt with the sewing machine. You can use a zigzag stitch to create a nice finish on the edges of the border.

Resources

• Victoriana Quilt Designs: Finishing Your Quilt;2011