Piecepatcher
Quilts
One Canadian's Website ~ Not Just Quilting
A free project from Piecepatcher Quilts
I love how the border looks like a lace ruffle, but is easily pieced. Most of the blocks are from the EQ3 library of Star blocks ~ the border block is my original design and so is the layout including border. (1998)
SEWING INSTRUCTIONS FOR BORDER
These instructions will make a border that is 3 inches deep, easily adapted to the length you need. This will easily border a quilt that is made with 6 inch or 12 inch blocks. I haven't mentioned pressing, but do press seams as each step is completed.
FABRICS : Main Dark Fabric ~ a small dark floral print or a dark batik print would suit this design. Three Medium Lights ~ select delicate coloured small prints or coordinating tone-on-tones, or hand dyed fabrics. You will also need more of the Main Dark (or a Solid Dark) ~ for the narrow inside border and for the binding (not pictured here)
BORDER # 1 - SOLID :
Narrow dark border all around quilt, cut strips 2 inches wide. The finished width of
this border is 1.5”
BORDER #2 - LACY BLOCKS:
Instead of making many small blocks, you will make 4 long blocks one for each side.
A: Cut 2 inch strips of the dark and 2 inch strips of the Light A. Sew lengths
as shown in diagram above.
B: Cut 2.5 inch strips of dark and 1.5 inch strips of Light B. Sew lengths as
shown.
C: Cut 1.5 inch strips of Dark and 2.5 inch strips of Light C. Sew lengths as
shown.
All the lengths should be 3.5 inches wide when sewn and pressed. Cut each strip into
segments that are 1.5 inches in width. Separate into 3 piles as you cut them.
Cut 4 more units (1.5 inches wide) from the “C” length and put aside to use
later in the corner blocks
JOINING LACY BLOCKS:
Sew segment A to B and then add C. This make one 3-inch block. Continue adding segments
in the same order until you have one long length that is as long as you need (keeping in
mind 1/4 inch seam allowance at each end.).
SEWING CORNER BLOCKS:
If you are going to appliqué in the corners as I did (hearts) then just use a 3.5 inch
square of the Main Dark for the corners. Or you can continue the lace border design by
making 4 corner blocks instead. Cut 4 rectangles of the dark that are 2.5 by 3.5
inch size. Using the 4 extra “C” segments you put aside earlier, sew one to the
3.5” side of each rectangle. Each corner block should measure 3.5 inches square (this
includes seam allowance)
ADD BORDER BLOCK STRIPS:
Sew 2 of your strips to the sides of the quilt. To the remaining strips, add a
corner block at each side, making sure to continue the pattern (light edge on
inside). Sew these to your quilt at top and bottom.
BORDER # 3 - MAIN DARK: Add another border made from strips cut 1.5 “ wide, border will be 1” finished.
BORDER #4 - BINDING: Add binding and finish quilt in the method of your choice.
TIPS, ADAPTATIONS and VARIATIONS:
- I find it easier to cut the fabric widths slightly wider than needed, about 1/4 inch more.
- Then after sewing the units and blocks together, I use my rotary blade and ruler to trim the finished pieced border to the 3.5 inch width, then sew it to the quilt. This is something I do whenever I make half-square triangle units as well.
- This 3-inch wide border can be adapted to fit any size quilt, just join enough segments for your quilt width and length.
- If you want a more random look, make another couple of fabric strips, with different measurements than the first 3 strips (but keeping them a consistent 3.5 inches wide). Cut into 1.5 widths like the others. Put all your segments into a big bowl, or brown paper bag, and just draw them at random when sewing them together.
- To give this border a “scrappy” look, you could make it using all the different fabrics from your quilt blocks.
DRAWING THE BORDER IN EQ-3:
The instructions above are for a 3" border. but when I drew the EQ-3 quilt , I
drew the blocks 5" square because my Hearts and Stars Quilt has 6 inch blocks plus
3/4 inch sashing. When making from fabric, for this odd size, I would print-out a
paper piece pattern, then instead of measuring each strip and block when cutting, I would
use the pattern as a template for the width of the strips.
DRAWING THE BLOCK IN EQ-3:
Easy Draw Set up: 12 units . Use graph paper
set-up.
Vertical lines - divide into 3 sections each 4 units in width.
Horizontal line.- section on left is evenly divided into 6 units top
and bottom.
Horizontal line - section in middle has 8 units on top and 4 on bottom
Horizontal line - section on right has 4 units on top and 3 on bottom
QUILT LAYOUT IN EQ-3:
Layout 4
x 4 blocks each 6 inches by 6 inches
Sashing 0.75 inches
Border 1 1.25 inches, horizontal layout
(H)
Border 2 5.00 inches, blocks layout (B) with 7
blocks each side.
Border 3 1.00 inches, horizontal layout (H)
You can add Border 4 which is 0.25 inches if you want a binding on your
quilt.
COLOURING BLOCKS and QUILT: I used 3 soft pink tiny prints for colouring the 3 bottom sections of the block, and a dark floral print for the top part of the block (3 sections). The same dark was used for Border 3, this is why the border looks wider in the Quilt and has room for appliqué. Border 1 is a solid dark. Border 2 uses the Blocks. Rotate them so the light colours are on the inside.
APPLIQUÉ LAYER: A coordinating colour was used for the heart appliqués in the corners. These are from the EQ3 Appliqué Library.