Borders frame the patchwork top and may be pieced or added as long strips of varying widths.

Sometimes the border calls for a different treatment to the rest of the top, custom quilted borders can be combined with a pantograph all over pattern on the main part of the quilt.

Some quilt tops are made entirely of borders, as in Medallion quilts or Rounds of Friendship and each border may require a different design.

Be sure to measure through the middle of your quilt top to determine the length of your borders and make the edges of the top fit into that length.

Remember to measure through again once the first 2 borders are attached to determine the length of the 2 longer borders.

The edges of the top will almost always be longer than the middle and sewing border strips on without regard for this will create problems for me and you will have a quilt with wavy edges or pleats in the borders to deal with the extra fabric.

Many patchworkers are so excited to have the piecing complete that attention to the border is overlooked, it’s well worth a little time to make sure your “frame” is as good as your piecing and the end result will be a quilt that lays or hangs flat beautifully.