What fabric should I use for the border?

You can use basically any kind of material for a quilt border. Cotton fabrics are a classic choice and come in a huge variety of prints and solids. But you could also go for something sort of unusual like linen or flannel. The key is to match the fabric to your quilt’s design and colors.n

How wide should a border be?

There’s no set rule, but generally a border from 2 to 6 inches wide works well. Anything narrower than 2 inches may not show up too much. Anything wider than 6 inches could overpower the quilt design. However, for scrappy quilts with a really busy pattern, you may want a narrower border so it doesn’t steal attention away from the center!n

How do I finish the raw edges?

To keep your quilt looking nice and stopping fabric from fraying, you’ll need to finish the raw edges of the border strips before sewing them onto the quilt. Wondering what’s the best way? Basic options are pinking, zigzag stitching, or adding bias tape or binding. Personally, I think bias tape results in an amazingly clean finish.

How do I attach the border?

There are two main methods for attaching a quilt border – either stitch it directly onto the quilt top or add it after the quilt is layered and quilted. Sewing before quilting is simpler but sewing afterward hides any wonky stitches better. Lay the quilt out flat, match up borders to edges, then pin and stitch. Be sure to stop with the needle down in the fabric when pivoting corners. Does that help explain the process? Let me know if any part is still unclear!n

What if I mess up the borders?

If you make a mistake sewing on the borders, don’t panic! Rip out the stitches and take a break if needed before re-attempting. We’ve all been there before, it’s all part of the learning. At the same time, imperfections can sometimes strangely make quilts more endearing, depending on the mistake. Your quilting friends will understand, so ease up on yourself – what matters most is that you’re creating something special with your own two hands!n