This lesson is packed with information on borders! There are sections on:

      Piecing Border Strips

      Overlapped Borders

      Mitered Borders

PIECING BORDER STRIPS

Whenever possible purchase enough fabric to cut borders on the lengthwise grain (parallel to the selvage edge). It is the strongest grain and will help to prevent stretching and fullness along the outer edges of the quilt. When you must piece border strips, sew together with a 45 degree angled seam. The diagonal seam will be less noticeable than a straight seam.

  Step 4. Cut away excess fabric leaving a 1/4" seam allowance. Press to one side.

OVERLAPPED BORDERS

Step 1. Before cutting border strips, measure the quilt top vertically, along each side, and in the middle. Add these three measurements together and divide by three. The averaged number is the length for the side border strips. Cut border strips desired width, using length according to averaged measurement. Need help cutting strips? Link to "Rotary Cutting" lessons page.

Step 2. Mark center on each strip and on each side of the quilt top. Match center marks. Align and pin end of strip with each corner edge of quilt top. Pin layers together, easing in any fullness. Sew strips to top.

Step 3. Repeat measuring, pinning and sewing steps for the top and bottom border strips.

Step 4. Repeat Steps 1-3 for additional borders. When finished, the quilt top will be squared with any fullness located within the patchwork area. Normally the quilting process will eliminate the fullness. This method will help to eliminate a rippling effect in the borders.

MITERED BORDERS

Miter border corners when an angled seam complements the overall design of the quilt. For multiple borders, sew strips together first and attach to quilt as one unit.

Step 1. Cut 2 strips the width of the quilt plus twice the border width and 2" inches extra and 2 strips the length of the quilt plus twice the border width and 2" inches extra.

Example: Width of quilt before border = 65"; width of border(s) to be added = 6"

65" + 6" + 6" + 2" = strip 79" long. Cut 2 strips 79" long (width measurement).

Repeat steps for length of quilt.

Step 2. Center and pin border strips in place. Start and end seams 1/4" from raw edges: backstitch to secure. Press seams toward quilt top.

Step 4. Fold quilt on diagonal, right sides together. Align border strip raw edges, border seams at the 1/4" backstitched point, and creases; pin in place. Stitch along crease, backstitching at 1/4" border seam.

Step 5. Press seam open. With quilt right side up, align 45 degree angle line of square ruler on seam line to check accuracy. If corner is flat and square, trim excess fabric to 1/4" seam allowance.