Measure your Quilt Accurately Generally, the side borders are added first.
We usually add the side borders first, then finish with the top and bottom borders. After you know which borders you are adding first, measure along each side of the quilt and write that measurement down. We like to lay the quilt out on the floor to get it completely flat.
The golden ratio occurs in nature and is widely considered to be the “perfect proportion.” Objects that adhere to the golden ratio appear balanced and pleasing to our senses. The ratio, in its simplest form, is 1.6 to 1. This is applied so that each border should be 1.6 times larger than the previous one.
Usually, if you're doing it the “right” way, you'll have at least 4” of batting and backing fabric extending beyond the top. Once your quilt sandwich is completely quilted, you'll want to square up your quilt top to square up the project but also to get rid of the excess batting and quilt backing before binding.
Once your piece is quilted, you need to make the edges even and square before adding your binding. It is easier and more accurate to trim the quilt sandwich if the three layers are sewn together at the edge. Otherwise, the bottom layer can shift and you end up with edges that are not the same.
If you want the quilt to have a more streamlined look, cutting lengthwise may be the right choice. Cutting fabric lengthwise will allow you to cut the long border strips in one piece, so you won't have to worry about piecing the strips together.
Border Basics
Borders should be in proportion to the size of the finished quilt. As a general rule of thumb, a small wall hanging should have a border of less than 6" while a king-size quilt can handle a 12" to 14" border. Borders that are too wide diminish the quilt center design.
Modern quilts often don't have any borders and that is OK.
The Log Cabin block is one of the most well-known and popular of all patchwork patterns.
A classic quilt is made up of three layers, the top layer is the decorative one, the second is your batting material and the final layer is the backing fabric- but you can be as creative as you like with the design.
The most common location for a quilt label is on the quilt back, in the lower right-hand corner but in a few inches from either straight edge. But creativity reigns supreme—put the label wherever you like! Sign the front of your quilt like Vincent van Gogh if that's your thing—just add the date too.
If you're going a quilt where 5 or more seams are coming together at one point, I'd recommend you consider pressing open. If you're making a bunch of perpendicular seams, pressing to the side can help get you really nice points. Try out both and see which you prefer!
Selvages are a tighter weave and will cause puckering on the back of the quilt. The best results for a pieced backing are with horizontal seams. (The lighter blue diagram above.) Vertical seams can act like selvages and cause some puckering.
If you baste and quilt it yourself, a couple of extra inches overhanging for both the batting and the backing on each side is adequate. If you would like a long arm quilter to quilt it for you, a 4" overhang for both batting and backing on each side is the standard requirement.
If the border is too long, then the sides of the quilt will be puckered or wavy, and if the border is too short or tight, the middle of the quilt will bubble. If the border is not sewn evenly along the whole edge of the quilt, it will cause waviness in some places and tightness in others and just will not sit flat.
The reason most teach to start quilting at the center and work your way out is to help eliminate the possibility of puckers or bunching of your quilt top or backing fabric as you work your way through quilting.