How to Add a Narrow Border to a Quilt
Narrow borders are used on quilts when the quilt is small or the design or patterns on the quilt are meant to be the focus of the design. If you choose to use too wide a border, it can overwhelm the design and detract from the beauty of the quilt. You apply a narrow border using the same basic techniques you would use for a wider border, but you will have to take care to avoid puckering, especially if you have a thick quilt or many layers and are trying to fit the bulk into a narrow strip of fabric. Quilt binding or narrow ribbons make ideal fabric choices for narrow borders.
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Things You'll Need
- Tape measure
- Binding/border fabric
- Ribbon
- Needles
- Thread
- Pins
- Sewing machine
- Scissors
Instructions
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Measure the length of each side of the quilt using the tape measure. Be sure to measure through the center and not from the edges, as you need to ensure that the border is wider than the widest point of the quilt to prevent puckering and rippling.
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2
Measure the width of the fabric required to create your narrow border. You will need to measure the distance from the edge of the quilt and double it, plus add an allowance for any seams and to accommodate the depth of the quilt. You will need to leave approximately an extra inch of fabric at each end to accommodate the corners. Cut the border fabrics accordingly.
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3
Sew the backing to the quilt, using the sewing machine or by basting it down using your needle and thread.
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4
Lay the quilt flat on your work surface and smooth it out completely. You will need a large, flat area to work, as you will need to avoid puckering. Your floor or carpet may prove suitable for this exercise.
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5
Fold the border fabric evenly over the edge of the quilt, starting at one of the longest sides, if the quilt is rectangular. Leave about 1 inch of fabric at the top edge for the corner. Ensure that the border fabric lies smooth and flat on the quilt and that there is no rippling, tightness or puckering. Pin or baste the border down the length of the quilt to the bottom edge. Leave another inch of fabric for the bottom corner.
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Fold the extra inch of fabric at the corner into a triangular pleat, then fold it down over the adjoining edge of the quilt at a 45-degree angle. This will create the look of a neat, mitered edge. Pin or baste the border fabric in place.
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Attach the rest of the border fabric all around the edges of the quilt, finishing the corners as outlined above.
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8
Sew the border in place using the sewing machine. You can use decorative stitches to neaten the edges of the border. Remove the pins when you have finished sewing down the border.
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References
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