The right quilt border will frame your handmade quilt to its best advantage. Quilt makers often use one of the fabrics in the patchwork design as a border, or an appliqued design border can add the finishing touch to an applique quilt. Mitered corners deliver the most professional look to a quilt. It's worth it to take the extra time to add this touch, the piecing is not difficult and the finished effect is lovely.
Measure each patchwork quilt edge. For a 2-inch border, add 4 inches plus a 1/2-inch seam allowance to the measurement of each edge. This measurement will determine your fabric yardage for the border
2
Cut each edge border strip to measure.
3
With right sides together, pin a border strip to one edge. Sew the strip to the edge with a 1/2-inch seam, stopping 1/2 inch from the corners. Repeat for each edge.
4
Place the quilt face-up on a flat surface. Fold the quilt and borders in half diagonally, right sides together, matching corner to corner with precision.
5
Position the square quilt rule's interior diagonal marking on the quilt edge at the corner. Mark the 45-degree angle of the miter with the pencil along the edge of the square rule.
6
Insert two straight pins near the miter mark. Cut the borders 1/2 inch away from the edge of the miter mark.
7
Insert pins at the edge and sew up the miter seam, beginning at the corner, with a 1/2-inch seam allowance. Repeat for each mitered corner.
Tips & Warnings
For multiple borders, sew the border strips together lengthwise before attaching to the quilt and mitering the corners.
