Popular Quilt Borders Patterns You’ll Love to Use

Choosing the Perfect Border for Your Quilt: 12 Top Patterns to Consider

Whether you’re finishing up your first quilt or your fiftieth, selecting the right border can take your project to the next level. A border frames and finishes the quilt, so choosing one that complements your overall design is important. With so many great options to pick from, it can feel overwhelming deciding which style is best. In this article, I’ll break down 12 popular quilt border patterns and provide tips to help you select the perfect finish for your next quilt.

Binding as a Border

One of the simplest border choices is just using your quilt binding as the border. This works well for quilts with solid center blocks or those made up of medium to large prints. Binding is usually a narrower width than other border options, coming in at 1⁄4 to 1⁄2 inch wide. So this choice works best for quilts where you don’t want too much of a frame draw attention away from the quilt center.

Narrow Borders

If you want a subtle border that provides some framing without overpowering the quilt center, consider a narrow width border between 1⁄2 to 11⁄2 inches wide. Narrow borders pair nicely with more intricate quilt patterns made from smaller scale prints and pieces. You can keep the border fabric simple to let the quilt center shine or use a lightly printed fabric that picks up on colors within the center blocks.

Wider Borders

Borders 2 inches or more in width create a bolder frame around the quilt. Wider borders suit bold, graphic quilt patterns or those made from large prints well. They can also help balance out a simple quilt center. Chopped strip piecing is a fun way to utilize scraps and add visual interest to a wider border.

From my experience, borders between 11⁄2 to 3 inches wide strike a nice balance of framing without overpowering most quilt designs.

Texas Lone Star Border

One of the most iconic and easily recognizable quilt border patterns is the Texas Lone Star. Made from triangles sewn into a circular pattern, this border captures the classic shape of the state’s flag. It adds motion and draws the eye in pleasing ways. The Texas Lone Star border works well on its own or can be enhanced by adding sashing or cornerstones between the points. Piecing small half-square triangles can be time-consuming but very rewarding once complete.

Four-Patch Border

The simple yet eye-catching four-patch pattern makes for an adaptive border design. Four-patch borders can be made using a single fabric cut into squares or various fabrics cut into four equal pieces and pieced together. Play around with scale—while 1-inch finished four-patch borders add subtle framing, ones 3 inches or larger create a dramatic effect. For a modern twist, try an asymmetrical four-patch layout.

Sashing Borders

Another versatile style is the strip-sashing border, which frames the quilt center using strips of sashing fabric between inward-facing borders. You can create visual interest using a variety of prints and colors within the sashing strips or stick to a single woven for continuity. Sashing borders work especially well for broken disorderly or rail fence patterns in the quilt center.

Diagonal Borders

If you want your border to make a bold style statement, try stitching it using 45-degree angles rather than straight horizontal/vertical piecing. Diagonal borders can be simple triangles or feature intricate patterns such as Sawtooth Star. They make a graphical impact and fool the eye into perceiving additional motion. Pair diagonal borders with a simple quilt center or one incorporating diagonal lines for synergy.

Paisley Borders

For an organic, nature-inspired look, take a cue from paisley designs with their beautifully curved teardrop shapes. A paisley border can be made freeform from fabricBias tape or precisely engineered from half-square triangles combined in unique formations. Paisley borders pair delightfully with floral quilt centers or those featuring medallion blocks.

Scalloped Borders

For a whimsical, playful finish, consider stitching a scalloped border edge. Scallops can be small and subtle or extra large for drama. Piece straight border strips as usual but then curve the outer raw edges using templates before sewing on the binding. Scalloped borders complement quilt centers with rounded or naturally flowing motifs like Birds in the Air.

Bias Borders

Some of the most fluid, soft borders are created from bias strips of fabric rather than straight grain. Bias borders drape beautifully and add sweep to any quilt design. An easy method is to stitch long continuous bias strips, trim to width, then attachraw edges to the quilt outer edges. Or try bias strip sets for built-in curved piecing. Bias borders pair well with freeform watercolour-style quilt centers.

Framed Borders

For a look that draws even more focus to the quilt center, layer two borders – an inner narrow one followed by a wider outer frame. Common inner/outer width combos include 1⁄2″/11⁄2″, 3⁄4″/2″, or 1″/3″. Play with color and print differences between the borders for visual interest. Framed borders are ideal for showcasing an intricate or high-impact quilt center.

So in summary, whether you want subtle framing or bold drama – consider borders made from fabric binding, narrow strips, Lone Stars, four-patches, strips plus sashing, diagonals, paisleys, scallops, curves, or double layers. Mix and match styles for a really custom look!

Additional Tips for Selecting and Completing Borders

Consider the Quilt Center

The number one rule when choosing a border design is to look at your quilt center and consider how the border can best complement and finish it. Evaluate any established lines, shapes, motifs or color schemes at play and select a coordinatingborder style.

Audition Fabric Swatches

Before cutting into precious fabric, safety pin border fabric candidates to craft paper or directly onto your quilt to view them in context. Exchanging one swatch for another is less wasteful than piecing the entire border only to decide it doesn’t work.

Calculate Fabric Needs

Be sure to accurately measure your quilt center and add additional fabric for seam and piecing allowances when determining overall border length needed. It’s better to purchase too much than run short.

Press as You Go

Take the time to press seams open or to one side asyou piece each border component, whether squares, triangles or strips. Proper pressing before adding another piece or sewing the border to the quilt dramatically reduces bulk and makes the entire project come together more smoothly.

Square up the Quilt Sandwich

After attaching the border, it’s important to square up the layers one final time before quilting and binding. Carefully measuring diagonals and trimming away excess batting and backing barricades against ending up with a lopsided finished quilt.

I’ve found properly selecting and executing borders can take a quilt from nice to absolutely stunning. Done thoughtfully, borders beautifully set off the quilt center and give the eye a place to land. Have fun playing with different styles and don’t feel like you have to stick to tradition. Ultimately, choose a border that excites you!

“Quilt Border Pattern Details”

FAQ

1. How do I pick the perfect pattern for my quilt borders?

   There are basically a few things to consider when choosing a border pattern for your quilt. First, take a look at the colors and designs used in your quilt center. You’ll want to pick a border that kinda coordinates nicely but doesn’t necessarily match exactly. Borders are a nice way to frame the quilt without distracting from the center. Another thing is the difficulty – choose a border style that fits your skill level. No need to bite off more than you can chew for your first time!

2. Should I use the same fabric for all four borders?

   While using the same fabric all around can look pretty clean and tailored, mixing it up a little can liven things up too. Perhaps try a different print or color for the top/bottom versus the sides. You could also do a double border with a narrow inner strip of one fabric framing a wider outer strip of something else. Getting creative with your border options is half the fun! On the other hand, keeping all four borders the same helps maintain coherence in the overall design.

3. How wide should my quilt borders be?

   There’s no single right answer here – border width depends on personal taste and the scale of your quilt center. As a general rule, smaller quilts usually call for narrower borders around 1-3 inches wide. Bigger quilts have more leeway for bolder, wider borders up to 6 inches or more. You can also play with contrast by having one narrow inner border framed by a wider outer border. The key is getting the right balance so borders frame without overwhelming the quilt center. It takes some trial and error.

4. Any tips for making mitered border corners lie flat?

   Ugh, getting those corners to line up straight and lie smooth can be amazingly frustrating! The best way I’ve found is to stay attentive while sewing, go slow, and backstitch at the turns. Make sure to match corresponding dots or notches and use straight pins for extra reinforcement as you sew. Pressing is also crucial – give the seams a good press as you work your way around the quilt, and once more after completing the border. With some practice, your corners will be flawless in no time.

5. What if I mess up on my borders?

   Fret not – mistakes happen, even to the most seasoned quilters! If you’ve sewn on a border crooked or the wrong size, take a deep breath before ripping out stitches. Carefully pick out the seams and salvage what fabric you can. Then re-cut a new border strip and give it another go. No big deal. Maybe try marking the placement with pencil first next time. With persistence you’ll get it right, so don’t get too frustrated. As the saying goes, “quilters gonna quilt!”

6. Any tips for joining multiple border strips?

   When piecing together long border strips, use a 1/4″ seam and accurate sewing to prevent bulky seams. I’ve found it’s easiest to pin the strips right sides together before sewing. This keeps them perfectly aligned for sewing. Then simply press the seams to one side as usual. To avoid unsightly puckers, go slowly and maintain an even seam allowance throughout. Don’t be afraid to rip out and re-sew if needed. Clean, flat seams will result in a beautiful professional-looking border.

7. How do I quilt around mitered borders?

   Now this can be a real head-scratcher! But with some careful planning, you can quilt right up to those corner miters like a pro. Mark sewing lines parallel to the border 1-2 inches out. Use masking tape on your quilting machine or draw guidelines with an air-soluble pen. Then stitch to the line, pivot, and continue on the next border side. Be sure to backstitch at the turns. Some quilters slice the corner at a diagonal to get the needle/foot through. Just keep those valuable corners intact – you’ve got this!