I absolutely love adding borders to quilts. I love a big quilt for starters, I feel like it really frames it nicely and gives me more room to play when I'm quilting.
In this guide we'll master adding a plain border to any quilt, giving a firm foundation to play in the future!
Take time to ensure your quilt top is as square as possible, press your seams well. To add the side borders take measurements at each edge and the centre of your quilt top and calculate the average (see the worked example below for more detail).
This measurement will be the length of fabric you need for your side border.
Choose the width you would like to add, a smaller border can create a delicate frame while a larger border can give a bolder look. Remember to add your 1/4" seam allowance to the width before you cut.
If you would like to add cornerstones to your border read through to the end before sewing or cutting any more fabric.
Cut your fabric strips at your desired width and then piece them together if you need to before cutting your needed length.
Worked Example -
My quilt top measurements are:
A - 55.5"
B - 56"
C - 56.5"
A + B + C = 168"
168 / 3 = 56" average
I want to add a border that will be 4" in width......
....sooo....
....I need (2) 4.25" X 56" strips
If my fabric is 42" wide I need to cut (3) 4.25" WOF strips, piece them and cut (2) X 56" strips.
Find the centre of your border strip and the centre of your quilt edge.
Pin the centres (labelled 2) right sides together and also pin at both ends (1 shows the top edge). Continue to find the centre of each section (3, 4, 5) and add as many pins as you need to feel comfortable and confident to sew.
If there is any fullness gently ease it in and use more pins!
Sew with a 1/4" seam, slow and steady stitching will help to keep it all square and flat. Press the seam away from the quilt centre, this will help the borders lay flat and reduce bulk at the seams. Add your border to the other side using the same process.
Repeat measuring your quilt top at each edge and the centre lengthways.
Go through the process again to piece/cut/pin and sew your top and bottom borders.
I often like to add a second border and then bind with the fabric I used on my first border to add further contrast and interest.
Cornerstones
If you decided you would like to add cornerstones you can measure the width and length for your quilt top all at once and cut your borders as described above. From your cornerstone fabric then cut 4 squares the same width as your border.
Worked Example
As above my side borders need to be 56" length and 4.25" wide using measurements A, B and C.
My quilt top measurements are:
D - 40.5"
E - 40"
F - 39.5"
A + B + C = 120"
120 / 3 = 40"
I want to add a border that will be 4" in width
I need (2) 4.25" X 40" strips and (4) 4.25" squares from my cornerstone fabric.
Sew your cornerstones to the ends of your top and bottom borders.
Add the side borders to your quilt as discussed above and then the top and bottom borders lining up your cornerstone and border seams.
Congratulations! You can now add borders to any quilt. Give your glorious creation one last press and take a step back to admire it! If you have any questions please reach out to me - adelle@pearpawquilting.com. Make sure to share your makes with borders on social media and tag me so I can also admire your hard work @pearpawquilting.
Happy Quilting!