So, you’ve poured your heart into piecing a gorgeous quilt top. All those little squares and shapes have finally come together! But wait, before you layer it up for quilting, there’s one more super important step that can make a world of difference: adding borders.
You might be thinking, “Oh, borders, just some extra fabric around the edge, right?” Well, yes, but they do so much more! If you’ve ever finished a quilt and it looked a little… wonky, or maybe one side seemed longer than the other, then learning how to put borders on a quilt the right way is going to be a game-changer for you. It’s like a magic trick for making your quilt look truly professional and, most importantly, nice and square.
Don’t worry if this sounds tricky. I’m here to walk you through it with simple, easy steps. We’ll chat like old friends, and soon you’ll be attaching quilt borders like a pro!
Why Do We Even Need Borders on a Quilt?
Putting borders on your quilt isn’t just about making it bigger or adding a pretty frame (though those are nice perks!). Borders have a secret super-power: they help square up your quilt.
You see, when we sew lots of seams and join many blocks, things can get a little stretched or pulled. We’re humans, not robots, so our sewing isn’t always perfectly spot-on down to the tiniest fraction of an inch. That’s totally normal! Adding borders gives us a chance to gently guide our quilt back into a lovely, even rectangle or square. This makes the next steps, like quilting and binding, so much easier and look so much better.
Plus, borders can:
- Add a pop of color or a calming space for the eye.
- Give you a chance to use up a favorite fabric.
- Protect the edges of your pieced blocks.
So, let’s learn the best way for sewing quilt borders!
Getting Ready: The First Big Step to Straight Borders
Before you even think about cutting your border fabric, we need to do the most important thing: measure your quilt top. I know, I know, measuring might not be the most exciting part, but trust me on this one. It’s the golden rule for perfect borders!
The Golden Rule: Measure, Measure, Measure!
Why all the fuss about measuring? Because, like we said, quilt tops can get a little stretched or uneven as we piece them. If you just cut a long strip of fabric and sew it on, hoping for the best, you might end up with wavy “lettuce-leaf” edges or a quilt that pulls in strangely. No fun!
Instead, we’re going to make the quilt fit the border, not the other way around. This is key to squaring up your quilt.
How to Measure Your Quilt Top
Most folks like to add the side borders first, and then the top and bottom borders. So, let’s start by measuring the length of your quilt.
- Lay your quilt top flat: Find a nice flat surface, like a clean floor or a large table. Smooth it out gently, but don’t stretch it.
- Measure in three places:
- Measure down one side, but come in a couple of inches from the raw edge. Why? Because the very edge can sometimes be a bit stretched out or wobbly. We want the true measurement of where your border will actually lie. Let’s say this is Measurement A.
- Now, measure down the middle of your quilt. This is Measurement B.
- Finally, measure down the other side, again, a couple of inches in from the edge. This is Measurement C.
Here’s a little table to keep track:
| Measurement Spot | Your Quilt’s Length |
|---|---|
| Side 1 (a few inches in) | Measurement A: ___ |
| Middle of Quilt | Measurement B: ___ |
| Side 2 (a few inches in) | Measurement C: ___ |
What if the Numbers Are Different? Finding the Average
If you’re like most quilters, those three measurements might not be exactly the same, especially on a bigger quilt. That’s okay! This is where we do a tiny bit of easy math to find the average.
To get the average:
- Add your three measurements together (A + B + C).
- Divide that total by 3.
Example Time! Let’s say your measurements were:
- Measurement A = 36 inches
- Measurement B = 36 and a half inches (36.5)
- Measurement C = 36 and a quarter inches (36.25)
Add them up: 36 + 36.5 + 36.25 = 108.75 inches Divide by 3: 108.75 / 3 = 36.25 inches (or 36 and a quarter inches)
So, for this example, you would use 36 and a quarter inches as the length for your side border strips. This average length is what you’ll cut your border strips to.
Cutting Your Border Strips: The Perfect Match
Now that you have your magic average number, it’s time to cut your two side border strips. You’ll cut them to the width you want (say, 3 inches wide, or 5 inches wide – that’s up to you!) and to the exact average length you just figured out.
By cutting your border strips to this precise average length, you’re setting the stage for your quilt to become perfectly square on those sides. When you sew them on, you’ll gently ease your quilt top to fit the border strip.
Pin Power! How to Attach Your First Borders
This is where the real squaring-up magic happens! Pinning carefully is super important for attaching quilt borders evenly.
- Find the middles: Take one border strip. Fold it in half lengthwise and put a pin to mark the middle. Now, do the same with the edge of your quilt top where that border will go – fold it gently to find its middle point and mark it with a pin.
- Mark the quarters (optional but helpful!): For even better results, especially on longer borders, find the quarter points too. Fold your border strip in half again (so it’s folded into fourths) and mark those quarter points with pins. Do the same for your quilt edge.
- Pin it together:
- Lay your border strip on your quilt top, right sides together (pretty sides facing each other!).
- Match the middle pin on your border strip with the middle pin on your quilt edge. Pin them together.
- Next, match the pins at each end of the border strip to each end of the quilt edge. Pin those.
- Then, match up your quarter-mark pins.
- Now, fill in with more pins between these main points. If your quilt edge is a tiny bit longer or shorter than your border strip between these pins, that’s okay! The pins will help you spread out that little bit of difference (we call this “easing”) so it’s not all bunched up in one spot. Don’t be shy with pins, especially on big quilts! More pins mean more control.
The goal is to make the quilt edge fit the border strip smoothly.
Sewing Time! Stitching Those Borders On
Alright, you’re pinned and ready! Time to head to your sewing machine.
- Which side up? Usually, it’s easiest to sew with the border strip on top. It’s a single, flat piece of fabric and easier to guide. However, if your quilt top has lots of seams meeting the edge, and some are pressed one way and some another, you might want to try sewing with the quilt top on top. This way, you can see those seams and make sure they stay pressed the way you want them as you sew over them.
- Sew a straight seam: Use your usual quarter-inch seam allowance (or whatever you prefer for your quilts). Take your time and sew straight.
- Careful at the ends: When you get near the end of the border, it’s easy for things to shift a little because of the weight of the quilt. Pay extra attention to keep your seam straight all the way to the very end. If it veers off, it can create a little “fishtail” or “dovetail” that will cause trouble when you add the next border.
- Press your seams: Once a border is sewn on, press the seam. Most people press the seam allowance towards the border, as it’s usually less bulky.
Repeat this whole process – pinning and sewing – for the border on the other side of your quilt.
Round Two (and Three, and Four!): Adding More Borders
Once your first two side borders are on and pressed, it’s time for the top and bottom borders. And guess what? You’re going to do the exact same thing!
- Measure AGAIN: Now, you’ll measure the width of your quilt, including the new borders you just added. Again, measure in three places (Side 1, Middle, Side 2), a couple of inches in from the raw edges.
- Find the average of these three new measurements.
- Cut your top and bottom border strips to this new average width.
- Pin and sew them on, just like you did with the side borders, finding middles and quarter points.
If you’re adding multiple sets of borders (like a small inner border and a wider outer border), you repeat this “measure-average-cut-pin-sew” process for every single border. Yes, every time! This ensures that your quilt stays square with each addition.
Oops! What if My Quilt is Really Wonky?
Sometimes, despite our best efforts, a quilt top might be quite a bit off-square. How much can you “fudge” it with borders?
- On a small quilt, you might be able to ease in about a quarter-inch, maybe up to three-eighths of an inch, along one side.
- On a big queen or king-sized quilt, you might manage up to half an inch over the whole length.
If your quilt top is out by more than that (say, three-quarters of an inch or more), you might need to take a little break from borders. Go back and look at the seam allowances on the outer edges of your quilt blocks. You might need to carefully unpick a few seams and re-sew them a bit more accurately to help bring that edge closer to straight before you try adding the border. It’s a little extra work, but it’ll save you headaches later.
A Quick Peek at Fancy Corners (Mitered Borders)
For most quilts, the method we’ve talked about – adding side borders, then top and bottom borders with straight corners – is perfect.
But, if you’re feeling adventurous or putting on several borders and want a very tailored look, you might hear about “mitered corners.” This is where the border corners meet at a 45-degree angle, like a picture frame. It’s a neat technique, but it’s a bit different and usually involves sewing all four border strips on, then dealing with the corners. That’s a lesson for another day! For now, mastering these straight-cornered borders will make your quilts look amazing.
FAQs
How to sew a border around a square easily?
Measure one side of your square quilt. Cut all four border strips to that same length. Pin the middle of each border to the middle of each quilt side. Then pin the ends. Add more pins. Sew them on one at a time. Press. This helps keep your square nice and even.
What is the golden rule for quilt borders?
The golden rule is to measure your quilt top first! Then, cut your border strips to fit that measurement. Don’t just cut long strips and sew them on. Make your quilt fit the border. This helps make it square.
What is the easiest way to square up a quilt?
Adding borders correctly is the easiest way. First, measure your quilt in three spots. Find the average. Cut your border strips to that average size. Pin them carefully. Then sew them on. This will help pull your quilt into a nice square shape.
Which borders go on a quilt first?
Most quilters like to add the side borders first. So, you would sew a border onto the left side. Then sew one onto the right side. After that, you measure again. Then you add the top and bottom borders.
How to attach quilt borders?
First, measure your quilt top. Cut your border fabric to that size. Find the middle of your quilt edge. Find the middle of your border strip. Pin them together, right sides facing. Pin the ends too. Then add more pins in between. Sew with a straight stitch. Press your seam.
You’ve Got This! Your Quilt Will Thank You!
See? Learning how to put borders on a quilt isn’t so scary after all! It’s mostly about taking your time to measure carefully and pin thoughtfully. Those few extra minutes will pay off big time with a quilt that hangs beautifully, lies flat, and looks incredibly professional.
No more wavy edges or quilts that look like they’re leaning to one side! With these easy steps, your borders will be your best friend in making every quilt a true masterpiece.
Now, I’d love to hear from you! What’s been your biggest challenge when adding borders to your quilts? Or do you have a favorite tip for getting them just right? Share your thoughts in the comments below – let’s help each other make even more beautiful quilts!
Happy quilting!
