Creative Quilt Panel Border Ideas to Spruce Up Your Quilt
Are you looking to add some unique flair to the borders of your quilt panels? While a plain, single-color border is classic, getting creative with your borders can take a simple quilt to the next level. In this article, I’ll share some of my favorite quilt panel border ideas to inspire your next sewing project.
Pieced Borders
One easy way to add visual interest is with pieced borders. Pieced borders allow you to use scraps of fabric in your borders for a scrappy look. You can piece strips of fabrics together in interesting patterns like chevrons, triangles, or zigzags. From my experience piecing borders, I’ve found it’s helpful to measure and cut your border pieces first before piecing them together to avoid frustration later on.
- Cut strips of fabric ranging from 1/2″-2″ wide into your chosen shapes.
- Piece the shapes together into continuous strips for the top, bottom, and side borders.
- Sew the pieced strips to the edges of your quilt panel.
Pieced borders add lots of texture without much additional work. You can mix prints, solids or tones for a one-of-a-kind look.
AppliquƩd Borders
For quilters who enjoy appliquĆ©, embellishing borders with appliquĆ©d designs is a fun option. You can stitch floral motifs, geometric patterns, animals or other shapes around the perimeter. I once made a baby quilt with appliquĆ©d teddy bears peeking out from the borders – it was a real showstopper! When appliquĆ©ing borders, some tips I’ve learned include pre-washing all fabrics, using a stabilizer on the back for added support, and keeping motifs a consistent small size so they don’t overwhelm the quilt center. AppliquĆ©d borders bring handmade charm.
Ribbon and Sashing Borders
For a smooth, pulled-together appearance, consider ribbon or sashing borders. Thin ribbon framed with stitching adds luxurious detail. Lay ribbon strips right sides down along quilt edges and stitch 1/4″ away on both sides to attach. Alternatively, sashing strips connect block corners for a tailored border. Sew sashing strips between blocks, then sew the remaining strips to outside edges. Any solid or tone-on-tone fabric works well for understated elegance.
Embroidered Borders
Are you fairly skilled with embroidery? Try bringing quilting designs to life around the quilt edges. Popular embroidery stitches for borders include backstitching, stem stitching, and lazy daisies. Motifs like flowers, vines or initials embroidered in thread pops against fabric. To keep stitches neat along curves or points, some embroidery experts recommend using a wash-away stabilizer or light basting before stitching. For a beginner-friendly option, try stamping or fabric-marking designs instead of freehand embroidery. Embroidered borders lend personal crafted accents.
Ruffle Borders
Ruffled borders dress up any quilt with soft Billows of gathered fabric. Known for their feminine flair, ruffle borders infuse breezy charm. Cut strips of fabric 2-4″ wide and 1-2″ longer than the quilt edge. Fold and stitch long gathering stitches on one long edge of each strip. Pull thread to gather fabric tightly, then stitch gathered edge to quilt to encase raw edges. For volume, use multiple layers of ruffles or lightweight, drapey fabrics. Ruffle borders jazz up quilts with shabby-chic or boho vibes.
In summary, get outside your border comfort zone with creative piecing, appliquĆ©ing, embellishing or ruffling. Let your imagination run wild with fabrics, shapes and textures. Dress up your next quilt panel with personality at the perimeter. As the saying goes, “Borders make the quilt!”
Incorporating Borders into Quilt Design
If you want to take your border creativity up a notch, integrate the border design directly into the overall quilt pattern itself. Some innovative ways to do this include:
Continuing a quilt block pattern into the border. For example, extend half-square triangle blocks used in the center out into the borders for visual continuity.
Introducing a contrasting border fabric/print midway as sashing. Break up a large quilt center with a strip of a complementary fabric between blocks and borders.
Laying out borders as cornerstone blocks. Place blocks using border fabrics at quilt corners and treat the borders like extended blocks.
Piecing borders and centers together as one cohesive design. Plan border and center fabrics/motifs together so they seamlessly join as one quilt.
The possibilities are endless when you fuse the design of borders directly into the larger quilt format. It challenges conventional border thinking for one-of-a-kind wallhangings. With a little creative pattern mixing, you can make borders a true statement piece of modern quilts.
Personalizing Borders
Don’t forget you can also personalize borders with special meaningful embellishments. Some ideas I’ve used include:
Monogramming – stitch or applique embroidered initials, names or dates along borders. Personalized monograms make gifts ultra-special.
Pressed Flower Accents – preserve flowers between wax or laminate paper and applique onto borders. Adds a nature-inspired touch.
Photographs – print horizonztal or vertical family photos small enough to frame in borders. Instant memories!
Notes & Quotes – hand-letter short quotes or handwritten messages around borders as a sentimental surprise.
Map Coordinates – reference coordinates or plot meaningful map locations into borders. Fun way to remember travels.
Personalized borders transform quilts into cherished keepsakes full of special significance beyond design alone. Don’t be afraid to bring some heartfelt personal flair!
I hope these ideas have sparked some creativity to elevate your quilt borders! From pieced to embroidered, incorporating patterns or personal expressions, the possibilities are endless for impactful border designs. Feel free to experiment – go ahead and try that crazy border idea you had. The only way to grow as a quilter is to step outside the box now and then. Happy quilting!
Quilt Panel Border Ideas
| Border Style | Details | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Straight edge | No additional material, just cut edges | Simple, clean style that highlights fabric |
| Binding | Single layer of fabric folded over edges and sewn down | Covers raw edges, easy technique |
| Folded corner | Fabric folded at 45 degrees at each corner, sewn in place | Adds visual interest without much work |
| Pieced border | Additional fabric pieces sewn to edges before binding | More intricate pattern, draws attention to border |
| AppliquƩd border | Motifs/shapes sewn or ironed onto border fabric before binding | Personalize border, highlight specific fabric |
FAQ
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What are some nice border ideas for quilt panels?
There are many choices for quilt panel borders. Basically, solid colored fabric borders kind of frames the panels nicely. You can also do patterns or prints that match or compliment the panels. Another option is putting different borders on each side for some visual interest.
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Do I need to add borders?
Borders aren’t completely necessary, but they do finish off the quilt and pull the design together sort of. Without borders, the panels may seem like they’re just floating there if you know what I mean. However, some quilts look amazing without borders too. It depends on the overall look you’re going for.
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What width should the borders be?
Most quilters say to make borders around 2 to 5 inches wide. Wider borders can overwhelm smaller panels, but too narrow and they don’t really define the space well. I’d try different widths on scrap fabric to see what looks best before cutting into your good border material.
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Should I do multiple border stripes?
You can absolutely add multiple narrow borders instead of one thick one. In fact, many antique quilts used intricate striped borders. It takes some extra work but provides more flexibility. Different strokes for different folks, as they say! Some quilt masters recommend trying stripes about 1-2 inches each.
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Any tips for designing effective borders?
Some border experts suggest referring to the elements of design for guidance. Things such as alternating very light and dark borders can make the panels “pop”. Complementary colors on the border are also kind of pleasing to the eye, apparently. You might also check if your local quilt store offers border design workshops or classes. Those often have great advice.
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What if I’m awful at picking borders?
Fret not – many quilters struggle with borders! You could join an online quilting group and get suggestions. Or search books and blogs for “quilt border gallery” – looking at pictures of what others made may spark ideas. You could even bring your quilt top to a meeting and get opinions. With some exploration, I’m sure you’ll come up with borders that are stunning!
On the other hand, some quilters basically just wing it with borders after finishing the hard work of piecing. Who’s to say what’s right or wrong, right? And isn’t part of the fun seeing where your creativity takes you? I’ve read that the best quilts come from the heart, not rules. Whatever floats your boat! Let me know if any other border questions come to mind.