I've been asked how do I do the small inner borders that appear on several of my quilts so this is the step by step process that should explain the process. First you need to cut 1 inch strips of the fabric that you want to use for your inner border. Typically this fabric is a contrasting or complimentary fabric to the main body of fabrics in your quilt. This example that I'm showing is for the cats and dogs quilt and I'm making a teal inner border to give emphasis to the pale turquoise sashing as well as the bright outer border. If the sides of your quilt are longer than the width of the fabric then you will have to join 2 strips of fabric together to make then the appropriatate length, I always allow an extra 1/2" - 1" as a safety margin.
Next you have to press the strips of fabric in half lengthwise with the wrong sides together just as you do for bindings so that the right side of the fabric is on the outside.
Next you take your first strip and place it on the edge of one side of the quilt (raw edges to the edge of the quilt) and sew down using a 1/8" seam. Yes this seems rather small but there will be a second 1/4" seam going down when you sew on the large outer border so everything will be secure. The reason why I only use a 1/8" seam is that you don't want any stitching lines showing after the outer border goes on if your two 1/4" seams happen not to match exactly.
You continue the process with the other sides ensuring that border covers over the edge of the quilt. I personally find if I extend this inner border about a 1/4" beyond the quilt and start sewing it feeds better through my machine. This is just my preference.
Next comes the trimming of the ends that extend beyond the edges of the quilt.
This is what it looks like when all the inner borders have been sewing on.
Next you go and sew your regular large outer border on like you normally would. Here you see that my outer border fabric extends well beyond my quilt, this is because I'm doing a mytered corner border. Here you want to change you foot to a 1/4" seam foot which will let you guide the fabric for a consistent 1/4" seam.
This is the end result.
Next you have to press the strips of fabric in half lengthwise with the wrong sides together just as you do for bindings so that the right side of the fabric is on the outside.
Next you take your first strip and place it on the edge of one side of the quilt (raw edges to the edge of the quilt) and sew down using a 1/8" seam. Yes this seems rather small but there will be a second 1/4" seam going down when you sew on the large outer border so everything will be secure. The reason why I only use a 1/8" seam is that you don't want any stitching lines showing after the outer border goes on if your two 1/4" seams happen not to match exactly.
You continue the process with the other sides ensuring that border covers over the edge of the quilt. I personally find if I extend this inner border about a 1/4" beyond the quilt and start sewing it feeds better through my machine. This is just my preference.
Next comes the trimming of the ends that extend beyond the edges of the quilt.
This is what it looks like when all the inner borders have been sewing on.
Next you go and sew your regular large outer border on like you normally would. Here you see that my outer border fabric extends well beyond my quilt, this is because I'm doing a mytered corner border. Here you want to change you foot to a 1/4" seam foot which will let you guide the fabric for a consistent 1/4" seam.
This is the end result.
4 comments:
Nice work with good patience !
from:S.Srinivasa Rao
INDIA
So that skinny border is actually a little 1/4" 3-d flap... so when you quilt it do you iron it to one side and stitch in the ditch to get it to stay down? Or being that small does it just stay in place? Thanks for the photos. :)
Thanks for the tutorial! I have never added a border like this. Maybe I should give it a try sometime.
Very interesting. I didn't know how to do this either. Thanks for sharing.
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