Pieced Borders
June 30th, 2009
You know I loved pieced borders. How do you feel about borders? Do you prefer not to add borders? Maybe just a plain non-pieced border? Do you love multiple borders, especially pieced borders?
If you’re one who doesn’t like multiple borders and/or pieced borders, well, I’ll try to come up with something else to interest you . . because I aim to please everyone! 
For those who love pieced borders, I’m going to do a series on pieced borders. The posts won’t we back to back or every day . . they’ll be just whenever I can get them done. More than giving out free patterns, I want you to feel confident creating your own borders and making them fit your own quilts.
The Star BOM we did recently had 7 borders, including the pieced ribbon border.
The Big Star quilt offered as a free pattern has multiple borders, including a pieced border. I just remembered that I need to write the instructions for the second border option.
I’ve seen gorgeous quilts with no borders at all so I’m not saying that every quilt needs multiple borders or a pieced border (or two) . . I’m just saying that I love multiple borders and pieced borders and I’ll share a bit of what I’ve learned through the years about borders for any of you who may be interested. I will add a section over on the right side bar under “Free Patterns and Projects” and try to keep this organized.
I’ve always worried that the corners won’t match, so I’m interested in learning how to do it right. Thanks for all your information.
I love the look of multiple borders. What I don’t like is having to measure the quilt top each step of the way so that my borders fit properly. Thanks so much for your free patterns. Your directions are super!
Thank you! I’d love to learn more about borders. I like the ribbon border and don’t know how to make it. I’ll be waiting for your information and thank you for sharing it with all of us.
Thanks! Would love to learn more and also would love the instructions for that secon option for the star quilt.
This is the next pattern on my list to make ! Although I’m not going to use your inner borders since I already have an idea in mind for using dark/batiks for the stars – but I love the second option for the outside borders – and yes indeed – I’m always looking forward to learn from someone who’s found new and better ways to do anything ! You are amazing to share your knowledge, and your life with all of us !! thanks
Oh……..I dread borders…………. Piecing the quilt is a snap compared to adding the borders………. BUT… sometimes the borders make the quilt. And your designs give the size you should have at each step. On the last quilt I made from your design, after one border was added it was 1/2 inch too large in width……….. I simply cut 1/4 inch off each side and moved on from there….. Borders and sashings often make the difference between Ho Hum and Fabulous.
I almost always add borders, often more than one, to frame the center design as well as make the top larger. But my borders are almost always just plain. I run out of steam and enthusiasm by the time I get to the borders. I’d love to make pieced borders but like Becky I hate all that measuring and calculating to get pieced borders to fit nicely. I guess I’m just lazy! I need a kick in the rear to inspire me to try more border options. A series of lessons from you might be just the ticket to inspire me.
Borders are the bane of my existence! I have had one quilt on my design wall for over a year because I can’t decide on the borders!!!
I have another one that I’ve decided what I’m doing (letters/words in a ‘popular’ movie quote) in the border, but just have to DO it — I even have the letters all drawn out … it’s DOING the border(s).
I love making tops! At least to the point of the borders. When I get there … I fizzle.
I love your patterns because of the borders! I wasn’t fond of that ribbon broder when it took me a day to do it but it was worth every minute in the end.
I would love to learn more about borders. Thanks, Judy.
Judy, I was talking with Lainey a little over a week ago about your beautiful borders. I mentioned that I would love for you to write a border book. This will be the next best thing to having a complete book of your borders. Thanks.
This will be great. I never have any creative ideas for borders, so I can’t wait! Thanks. Billie
The bears in the farmhouse quilt was the first time I’ve put so many borders on a quilt I’ve made. It turned out so well that I think I’ll continue with that focus on future quilts. I just love how it makes the quilt look. I was one just used to sewing a strip of fabric around the outside of the pieced top but no more.
Thanks Judy, I’d love to learn more about borders. I love the look of multiple borders and the options it gives you for extending the design from the centre of the quilt. I usually go for plain borders because of time, or because I’ve become tired of working on the quilt!:( I also find borders a good place to use big prints. I look forward to the information you’d like to share with us.
I love the look of pieced borders on quilts. I have only done a few quilts with pieced borders, but they are my favorites. I just don’t have time to put pieced borders on all of my quilts.
I’ll be following this with fascination. I LOVE the look of multiple pieced borders! I hope you’ll share tidbits on creating them in EQ
My borders are usually just plain borders, but I almost always have at least 2, a skinny one on the inside and then an outer border. I loved doing the ribbon border on the Big Star Quilt and it wasn’t hard to figure out. Everyone who has seen the quilt loves it! I hope to many more pieced borders.
oh… also… doing pieced borders has made me think about the other borders and making me aware that all borders are not created equal. Sometimes the side must be a tad smaller or larger to make a pieced border fit. Way cool Judy!
I love your pieced borders. I feel that it gives interest to the quilt that might otherwise be a simple quilt.
Instructions for the second option on the big star, bless you. I was trying to figure it out since it was my favorite.
You are the queen of borders. You take a quilt from simple to spectacular.
Thanks again for all that you do to challenge us quilters.
Hugs from the not too steamy south, at least today.
I LOVE pieced borders—I just don’t do that many. I think I need to do more because I always just love the look of your quilts—and a lot of that is because of your lovely pieced borders. Heck, I just plain love the look of all your quilts—you truly have a gift for design!
I love your pieced borders, but am only starting to think about designing and adding them on my own. I look forward to your help and tips. And I’m with CJ on the EQ request.
I’ve done them all — pieced borders, plain borders, and no borders — but I never do as many borders as you!
I think I am going to rework the top I have going right now to use a pieced border on it. I’m very excited to learn this. It’s so much easier when you have someone explain it step by step. It’s almost like being at a class. Thanks.
Looking forward to your border teaching series!
I love the look of pieced borders, but I don’t do them often. I get stalled on even adding plain borders — I think I have about 17 tops right now that need borders added to them! I do like multiple borders, and like someone else already said, I almost always add at least two borders. I’m not often very creative about my borders, though. This will be a good way for me to challenge myself to change things up, do something a bit unexpected. Thanks, Judy!
I love the look of multiple borders and the nicely-pieced ones like you do, but I rarely have the patience to DO that once I get to that stage of the quilt.
Can’t wait for your borders….Darlene Zimmerman wrote a book on borders, so maybe you should think about writing one too. Your quilts are a different style than hers.
That sounds fun! I’m finding that I like multiple borders, with piecing, or none at all. Depends on the quilt of course. Plain borders, eh.. Looking forward to seeing how you handle some of the intricacies of piecing the borders.
I LOVE a curvy border, one that wraps around the center, and expecially, if it is on a full-size bed, one that helps identify where it should lay on the bed for those guys who don’t seem to understand how to make a bed.
Many of the utilility scrappy quilts don’t seem to need borders, but all of yours definitely are more gorgeous with a border. And for those who are a little scared of pieced borders, once they get the hang of the pieces, they’ll never be afraid of attempting borders again.
The borders are a stopping point for me. 90% of my UFOs are borderless!! I am working on Bear Tracks and the Big Star because I had a destination. Borders scare me!
I usually do some sort of border but usually wait until the top is done before deciding. I find my quilt top often lets me know what it needs. I have done a few quilts without any border but then again the top just looked like it didn’t need one.
I loved pieced borders, they just take a lot of time, and that is why I have so many unfinished quilts, lol.
Pieced borders….I love them and do them all the time. They are the difference between good and SPECIAL..the finial step…the last hooorah…THREE CHEERS FOR PIECED BORDERS.
Pat
Thanks Judy…love pieced multiple borders…love learning too! Your help is always appreciated!
Hi Judy, I love borders and multiple ones at that. I think they frame the quilt and add another dimension.
I love your ribbon border. I usually just add two or three plain borders, because the only time I tried a pieced border I couldn’t get the measurements to come out right. But it will be very interesting to learn from you – your borders add so much interest to your quilts. Love the idea someone mentioned about your next book being a border book!
Yep, I think you need to write a border book .
I love the look of pieced borders, but never do them I always do two, a thin and wide one. I wait until the top is completed before deciding on fabric for the two borders. I don’t know how to think/choose a pieced border, will it fight my eye for attention or will it add to the quilt. Judy this will be fun
I love your pieced borders! You’ve been mentioning lately the number of borders quilts have; I would’t have counted them but for that. I recently saw plain borders referred to as “slab o’ border”, which indicates the interest level there.
Hint: for those having trouble “fitting” pieced borders, the multiple borders inside are the place to make adjustments!
I, too, would love instructions on how to create them in EQ. I have tried a couple, but find it clunky and difficult to work out the corners. I have Janet Kime’s “Border Workbook”, but would like to work out my own (EQ).
I agree with the other Eileen!! Write a book on borders!!! It would be great!