How to Sew Borders to a Quilt Top

Once you have completed your quilt top, the next step is to sew on the borders. Although not all quilts have borders, some are merely the tops sandwiched with the quilt batting and the bottoms, adding borders allows you to "frame" your quilt top. It is well worth the time involved to add this lovely finishing touch to the quilt you are creating.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Sewing pins
• Sewing machine and thread that matches the border fabric

Measure for the Borders

1. Square the corners of the quilt top. Lay the quilt top on a hard surface and place a large square ruler on the corner. Draw a light pencil line around the corner and down the side of the quilt.

2. Repeat on each of the four corners, making sure the pencil lines on the edges meet. Trim carefully along the lines you have drawn.

3. Use your sewing tape measure to measure through the middle of the quilt from the top to the bottom. This will tell you how long to make your side borders. Add 6 inches to the total length of each side.

4. Measure through the middle from one side of the quilt to the other. This will tell you how long to make your top and bottom borders. Add 6 inches to the total length of each of these also.

5. Cut your borders 3 inches wide and the length you determined for sides and the top and bottom borders.

Attach the Borders

6. Fold your side border strips in half lengthwise and finger press them. Match the center of the strip with the center of the side edges of your quilt top. Pin the borders carefully to the sides of your quilt top.

7. Sew the borders to the quilt top using a straight stitch. Press the seams toward the center of the quilt.

8. Repeat steps one and two to attach the top and bottom borders to your quilt top. Press seams toward the center of the quilt.

9. Admire your completed quilt top.