Unless I’m making a quick quilt, they almost always have multiple borders. When I say that a quilt has 7 or 8 borders, I hear groans. The last time I was debating borders for Nicole’s quilts, someone mentioned that “modern quilts” are leaning towards having no borders. I see many pretty quilts without borders but I’m a border type quilter. I love borders!
This isn’t a debate about which drawing looks best. It’s done! The first drawing is what I used. This is simply to show you what I see when adding or subtracting borders.
This is the drawing for Nicole’s quilt and it has 8 borders and to my eye, that’s what fits perfectly.
Borders
This one left off a few borders and has no pieced border.
Fewer Borders – No Pieced Border
This one has the pieced border but one of the ecru and brown borders is removed. I think the quilt looks more balanced when, to some degree, the same border combination used before the pieced border is also used after the pieced border. In the quilt I used, borders #1, 2 and 3, which were used before the pieced border (#4) were repeated after the pieced border as borders #4, 5 and 7.
Pieced Border, 6 Borders
And, here it is without borders at all. To me, it just looks naked .. like a picture on the wall with no frame.
No Borders
The good news is . . when making your quilts, you can use 1 or 2 or 10 borders . . whatever makes you happy. I just wanted you to see the difference adding or taking away a border can make in the same quilt.
Patty says
I agree No borders would not work for me. Any of the other combinations works well.
Micki clemens says
I really love the way it looks with the 8 borders, and it doe look naked w/ o any. I don’t have an EQ and I don’t think I. Would be ble to do this in my head. By the end of piecing a quilt, I am tired of working on it! Kudos to you! Micki
Debby says
Thanks for sharing, I don’t have EQ so it is great to see it done wth all the options. I would not have been able to visulize it so glad you put it out there to look at and ponder. Love the finished quilt!
Samantha says
I’ve done a couple of quilts without borders, mostly because they were utility quilts for my family to use under other quilts on beds or just to grab to toss down for sunbathing or picnics. I always do multiple borders and lately I’ve gotten into doing tons of borders after starting with a 12 inch block in the middle. I love the look of multiple borders!
Beverley Tekben says
Your borders do add so much to the overall quilt. You are a very talented lady. I learn so much. Thanks.
Carolyn says
when you make mine…. LOL I know you aren’t! I love the way it turned out. I guess I’m old school I love borders too.
WiAmy says
It is nice to see the different variations you have. I agree that this quilt needs something around the center. When I am deciding border options, I also like to think how it will look in its intended location/use. Since Nicole’s quilt is for a large bed, I think all those borders will add lots of interest to the section of the quilt that drops off the top of the bed. If this were “throw size,” I would probably pick an option with fewer borders. Judy, you are definitely fantastic with borders!
Penny says
Wow! I love Nicoles quilt ~so colorful & cheery especially w/ all the borders!I agree that Nicoles quilt w/o the borders is naked or even looks unfinished to me! I would like to but I don’t do much w/ color in my quilting but Nicholes quilt is inspiring me to think about adding & enjoying some color in my quilting.Thanks for sharing your wonderful work! Penny in S CA
Doreen says
The final is perfect!!
Dora, the quilter says
Well said. That’s why almost all my quilts have borders!
Mary-Kay says
Lucky Nicole! I think your border selection is the best. No borders looks like you couldn’t be bothered finishing it. I guess “naked” is the right term.. I like pieced borders but if I’m making a comfort quilt and it’s off the top of my head, I don’t have time for calculations. On that note and I know you’ve told us all before, but what quilt making program do you use? I’m really thinking of getting one. Seems like it would be a lot easier than getting the calculator out. I’m always figuring something out wrong.
Diana Stewart says
I mostly add borders to my quilts. And lately have been using a few pieced ones. They do add a lot to the quilt. I see we are finishing up the February quotation weekend. Did accomplish a few things, that is always good!
Jane says
As you know I like it alot just as it is, i’s perfect. Jane
Susan says
There’s no doubt that what you did looks best. It just makes me groan to go past five. =)
Sharie - Moss Bluff says
I am a border sort of gal. I love borders and if not lazy I add lots. Sometimes it just really makes the quilt. Love your quilt with the borders. It is gorgeous. Sharie
Peggy says
The problem I see with the “Modern” quilt having no borders is that many of them have very little piecing. Some how I have problems when making a bed quilt for it to be made of a dozen or so color rectangles and lots of background. I can see them as wall hangings but not bed quilts. With out a border a pattern keeps moving and jumps right off the face of the earth.
I have been discussing this with someone doing a presentation at QuiltCon. It is a conflict personally for me, because I like modern art and modern furniture, but not most modern quilts. I like them, but do not have them in my house.
Pat Hathaway says
Some group members of a Yahoo quilting group I belong to bought EQ7 when it was on sale right before Christmas. Since there were so many of us that were new to it we started a sister group dedicated to going through and discussing all the PDF lessons that came with EQ7. We did one on border and it had so many I’d thought I never see a quilt with that many borders! But in this case I can see that it makes a lovely addition to a quilt.
Henrietta says
I buy your books for the borders. You are the Queen of Borders. How could anyone have the nerve to preach to you about ‘modern borderless quilts’? I am gobsmacked!
On the subject of modern quilts, I see many vintage quilts made in the 30s were made without borders. So what is so modern about that? About as much as the bell bottom pants I see back in fashion, again.
Gari says
I think it is so funny that people question how you do your quilts. I mostly have 3 plain borders on my quilts but admire your pieced ones.
Theresa says
My borders depend on the quilt. Some don’t need them, borders would feel like they were being hemmed in, or trapped. Others, like you said, feel like pictures without frames.
Stella Nemeth says
I do not like the one without borders. I also think that it has to be harder to bind a borderless quilt.
Brandy M. says
I have to say that I never would have thought to have 8 borders on a quilt. I think the most I’ve done was 3 borders. However, once I see all of your drawings, more borders make total sense, especially when one (or more?) of them are so beautifully pieced! Nicole’s quilt is gorgeous! I have your “borders” book and have some quilts in the works that I plan on adding pieced borders to. One of them, I”m realizing,has too many planned blocks to add many borders, but maybe I’ll reduce the # of blocks so I can do something more interesting in the borders. I’ll have to contemplate more – and learn how to use my EQ program!
Thank you, Judy, for being SO inspiring!
🙂
Patty says
All of them look nice but the finished product is awesome. Thee great thing about quilting is that whay ever works for you is just fine.