Tutorial: A Simple Bordering/Framing Method for your Quilts or Blocks

My quilting teacher commented on the way I make my borders around my quilts and I hadn't really thought that I was doing anything new or novel - I thought everyone did their borders this way. She took a photo to show a fellow quilting teacher so I thought I would post this information and see if it helps anyone else.

For the purpose of showing how I put together borders this demo is not to scale. (And when I take pictures on the macro setting of my camera my images always seemed curved - does anyone else have this issues?)

I have used a orange rectangle to represent the 'quilt' or block. I make a long strip of fabric by sewing equal lengths together (crosswise grain) when I'm making large borders. I do not have joins in the border fabric if I am bordering blocks. 

 I sew the border in the following order and direction.

When you sew the first strip across the top from right to left leave about 1/2 " gap at the edge of the top left corner (see below.) Leave a loose piece of the strip on the top left corner. If your strip is 3" wide leave a little over 3" - if your strip is 6" leave a little over 6" etc

Press & trim and add the next strip that goes top to bottom on the right side of the quilt/block. 

Continue with the bottom strip again going from right to left.

On your final strip sew from the bottom left to the top left of the quilt. Your 1st strip and your last strip will still not be connected in the corner. 

Connect the strips by folding the top strip down. 

Sew the strips together. 

Press & trim. 

The back of the border will look like this. 

Happy borders!

Other quilting tips:
Basting & Layering Tip
Machine Chain Piecing

Quilting Tip: Basting/Layering Quilt

There are so many ways to make quilts. In my humble opinion - as long as you are having fun there is no wrong or right way. Some people are into sewing fabric any way together - other people like to make sure their seams all match precisely – enjoying what you are making is most important. I do however enjoy reading about different ways people do things – make things work - looking for tips to help me – finding people who work in similar ways that I work and that is why I wanted to share the way I put my quilt layers together. I don’t know if it is wrong or right – but I am hoping this little tip can help someone with what I have found to be sometimes a cumbersome experience.

I used to use pins to layer my quilts. I spent hours (literally - perhaps days) ironing, smoothing, pinning, smoothing, repining. It took forever. I recently chatted with Svetlana from s.o.t.a.k handmade and after speaking with her I decided to try out the - often loved by many and perhaps somewhat scorned by some - 505 spray.

It has somewhat changed my life!

The biggest factor is the amount of time saved – which for me with the three little ones is key. Of course the spray is not super cheap – but I don’t use a lot - a very light spritz – so one can lasts for 3 or more full sized quilts. Here is what I do (this is a queen sized quilt.)

I lay the batting out on the floor and smooth it out as much as possible. I use the cardboard fabric tube to roll up my quilt top. 

I spray the first 10” or so of the batting and lay the top 10” of the quilt top on the batting - close to the top & left edge so any remnants from the right & bottom sides of the batting will be big enough to be sewn together again and reused.

I smooth out the top of the quilt as it comes off the roll. If it wrinkles – it easily lifts up and repositions.

I spray and roll in 10” increments smoothing and rubbing all the way.

Keeping the batting flat and smooth underneath I use the cardboard tube to help keep the length of the quilt top flat, taught and smooth on top. Here you can see the beginning of my Recycled Sweater Union Jack peaking out.

Once I have positioned the top layer I trim around the edge of the quilt and batting.

I like to trim the batting off now so I can accurately/neatly/precisely place the quilt top onto the backing fabric - minimizing waste of the backing fabric - the larger I can make the remnants - the more uses I can find for them.

Once trimmed I roll the top with the batting back up on the cardboard tube ...

... and lay out the backing - smoothing it out as much as possible.

I repeat the same process again but with the batting AND the top on the roll.

Once all the layers are together I keep the quilt laid out flat on the spare bed until I'm ready to quilt them. I hope this tip helps you put your larger quilts together in an easier way.  

***********

Please do not forget about the charity I Spy quilt - we are still looking for scrap fabric donations.