Quilting question. Please help. Still learning.?

Question

I don't understand how to make borders to go around my 12 inch sisters choice squares. I have made 20 squares and I am

confused about how wide and long to cut border strips. Before

when I made a quilt top I made the kind where you just sew the

squares together. I would like to learn how to make and use

borders so I don't need so many squares. I hope someone understands what I am asking. Thanks for any heip.

Answer 1

Like the other answers say, you need to have an idea of what size quilt you want.

For example:  You have 20 blocks ... so using just those blocks, putting them four across by five down... you end up with a quilt top that is 48" wide by 60" long...nice size for lap quilt.

Here are some standard sizes (have a 10" drop on three sides..which means they will be 10" larger than the mattress top, so adjust accordingly):

Twin mattress is 39" W x 75" L

Your top needs to be 59" x 85"

Full (Double) mattress is 54" x 75"

Your top needs to be 74" x 85"

Queen mattress is 60" x 80"

Your top needs to be 80" x 90"

King mattress is 76" x 80"

Your top needs to be 96" x 108"

Since Queen is the most requested size I get, I'll use that.

Queen should end up being 80 X 90...so you need to add 32" to the width of the 4 blocks (80-48=32); next you need to add 30" to the length.  

Since this will result in uneven sashing... let's say we will use a 2-1/2" wide sashing (will equal 2" when sewn)... That will add 6" to the width of your quilt...making us need another 23"...so we add a 2-1/2" strip all around to finish off the sashing ..this will actually be a border..but same color and size as your sashing...  so now we have added another 4" so we need 19" more...this can be done using borders... instead of a 9-1/2" border on all sides... use a 4" then a 6" (cut the strips 4-1/2" and 6-1/2" wide)... this will give you a slightly larger than (normal) size quilt...which is fine.

If you need further help...email me at [e-mail]... I'll help you all I can...I have some good links you can go to to see how this is done.  I have to leave now...

Marge Campbell

Answer 2

When I put sashing between my blocks (that's what the inside strips are called - the ones around the outside of the quilt are called borders), I decide how wide to make them depending on several things. First, how big do you want the quilt to be, and how many blocks do you plan to make? You can make the sashing wider to take up more space so you need fewer blocks. One rule of thumb that I learned is to make your sashing a width that can be divided evenly into the block size. For example, an 8" block could have 1", 2" or 4" sashing. A 12" block could have 1", 2", 3", 4", or even 6" sashing. This isn't an absolute rule, but it is a nice guide. Lay the blocks out on the floor and play with the space between them until you like the way it looks. Sometimes the best way is to just see what you like.

When you sew the blocks together, sew one piece of sashing to the right side of the top left block. Sew the second block to the other side of the sashing, then the next piece of sashing, then the next block, and so on. Repeat with each row. Now take a long strip of sashing and sew it to the bottom edge of the top row. Sew the second row to the sashing, and repeat until the rows are all joined. Sometimes it's easier to work in smaller sections. Sew the sashing onto the bottom of each row (except the bottom one, unless you're using it for a border, too). Sew together the first two or three rows. Sew together the next few rows. Then sew the two groups together. That way you don't have as much fabric to deal with except for on one pass through the machine.

There's another way to take up space in a quilt so you don't have to sew as many blocks. It's even better than sashing, and it's actually easier. You can alternate your blocks with plain squares of fabric, called setting squares. Large scale prints work well for this.

One more thing - if you set the blocks on point (turn them 1/4 turn so they look like diamonds instead of squares), you'll need even fewer blocks. Add some setting squares and you could make a good size quilt with fewer blocks. For example, to make a full size quilt that is around 72" x 84" you would need (42) 12" blocks. With 3" sashing and a 3" border, you'd need (30) 12" blocks. Set on point with setting squares and a 3" border, no sashing, you'd need (20) 12" blocks. Set it on point with 3" sashing, 3" border, and no setting squares, you'd need (18) 12" blocks.

Answer 3

I haven't been quilting in a while, but they all have good answers.

Good luck!!!!

Answer 4

it depends on how long you want your quilt but I usually do one- one and a half strips mabe even 2 inches. its about how long you want it. thats what i  usually do. hope that helps.

Answer 5

Hi there, I have been quilting for 50 yrs and I cannot even remember how many quilts I have made at this point.  I applaud you wanting to branch out and learn new things!  You said you have 12" blocks made, so the first thing you need to decide is how big is the finished quilt going to be?  King, Queen, wall hanging, etc.  Once this is decided, you need to divide the number of blocks into the width and length of your finished project.  Let's say you wanted to use your 20 12" squares to make a throw quilt/lap quilt.  It would be 4 blocks wide by 5 blocks long...which without borders would be 48" x 60" long.  If you are using 100% cotton you can rip your strips instead of cutting them, which is much easier.  Once you know your dimensions (48" x 60") then you can decide how much wider and longer you would like your finished quilt to be.  Rip/tear your strips from the side of the fabric that will give you the longest strip.  Start by cutting as many 12" strips as you will need for the bottom of each block and sew those onto the bottom of each block, adding the top of the next block to the bottom of the border strip.  Then lay out the first vertical set of blocks you have sewn together and sew your first long (uncut) border strip (sashing strip) to this set and continue on til you have it done.  Hope this helps, don't hesitate to ask more questions. Good luck!