What are quilt borders?

Quilt borders are the outer edges of a quilt that basically frame the central quilt pattern. They finish off the quilt and sort of pull the whole thing together.

What materials are used for quilt borders?

Quilt borders can use pretty much any kind of fabric like plain cotton, flannel, or even lace. I’ve seen some stunning borders made with embroidery or applique too. Most quilters try to pick a material that matches or contrasts with the inner quilt design.n

How wide should a quilt border be?

There’s no set rule for border widths, but generally quilters say borders should be wide enough to clearly frame the center without getting too broad. Most fall in the range of 2 to 6 inches wide apparently. But the width is sort of up to your taste and the size of the whole quilt.n

How do I finish the raw edges of a quilt border?

The most common way is to fold the raw edge under about 1/4 inch and sew it in place close to the inner folded edge. This is called a single-fold hem. For a more polished look, you can make a double-fold hem by folding it under twice. Some quilters say pinking shears can also suffice to finish raw edges instead of hemming them.n

How do I attach the quilt borders?

The basic way is to place the border strip right sides together with the quilt edge, pin it securely, then sew it into place using a 1/4 inch seam. Remember to backstitch at the beginning and end so it doesn’t come unraveled. Most quilters press the seam allowances towards the border when complete for a flatter, cleaner look. However, some experts recommend pressing towards the quilt instead so the raw edges don’t show through later. So there may not be one perfect answer!n

What if I mess up a border?

Don’t sweat it! Borders are kind of the fun, creative part where you have room for error. Just unpick the stitches and start over. Or you could basically get creative by trimming, overlapping, or piecing together pieces to “fix” a botched border. I even saw someone once disguise a mistake by adding an extra border! So borders are quite forgiving compared to the inner quilt sections.n