Sew What’s Up Presents
The Sew What’s New Archive
This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and
quilting message board “Sew What’s New,” which was
retired in August 2007. It is being provided by
“Sew What’s Up,”
which serves as the new home for many members of “Sew What’s New.”
From: AndreaSews
Date: 07-13-2007, 11:01 PM (1 of 18)
|
Here's my first quilt top, under construction (http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=10nskech.2g1uy4m1&x=0&h=1&y=aa1jez). The lady at the quilt shop recommended I give it a 6 inch border--the blocks are about 11 inches, and she felt 6 inches would make a nice proportion. I'm using the same purple print that you see in the plain blocks. Here's the thing. A 6 inch border will leave the quilt several inches too narrow and short. To make it a twin size, I need 9 inches on each side and 10 inches on the top and bottom. What dimensions would you consider to be Twin? My batting is 72 x 90, and without a border, so far, it's 54 x 70. If I add 6 inches all around, it'll be 66 x 82. What would you do? 1) Do the 6 inches all around and just let the bed have a smaller quilt than standard? 2) Do the 6 inches all around and then use other fabric to add the extra inches around that? 3) Do the 9 inches and 10 inches to get the width and length I want and just be happy? I mean, that won't make it become an ugly quilt, will it?? I've gotten so much encouragement and very nice feedback, and I guess I'm wondering if my non-standard dimensions are going to make me get some kind of sewing demerits. Silly, I know. Finally, is the border supposed to be done on a bias, or just the binding? Any input welcome. Andrea
|
User: AndreaSews
Member since: 02-18-2005 Total posts: 1007 
|
From: quiltingemi
Date: 07-13-2007, 11:16 PM (2 of 18)
|
Hi Andrea, I'm a new quilter, so I have no experience in doing this. I'm working on my second quilt and to add extra length, I added 2 different borders, of different width each, that contrast. The original pattern was 70x70 in, but I wanted longer, so I added bigger borders on the top and bottom of the quilt. I only added 1-2 inches more on the width of each border, and it doesn't make it look weird or anything. I will try to post a picture. Good luck with your quilt. It's really pretty. Where did you get the pattern? quiltingemi |
User: quiltingemi
Member since: 06-25-2007 Total posts: 7 |
From: material_pakrat
Date: 07-14-2007, 12:33 AM (3 of 18)
|
There is a formula that I've read to help with the proportions, but I can't think of it now. The mathematician in me says to stay with proportions of the block. I would probably add a smaller narrow border 2" cut = 1.5" when sewn. And then a border the same size as your quilt blocks. The best way to see how is will look is to lay some fabric under the quilt to help you visualise it. If you used a plain border, you could vamp it up by using a diamond quilt pattern in a white or something hi-vis to liven it up. Personally, I would add the maximum width you need (10") all round to keep the balance of your quilt. You wouldn't notice the extra inch on each side. Cheers, Soph.
I'm happiest when I am sewing! |
User: material_pakrat
Member since: 12-13-2006 Total posts: 220 |
From: HeyJudee
Date: 07-14-2007, 12:59 AM (4 of 18)
|
Andrea, the batting size of 72 x 90 should be allowing a little extra on all sides for "shrinkage" when the quilt is quilted. So basically a twin size quilt would be a bit smaller than your batting size. According to quilters cache (http://www.quilterscache.com/StartQuiltingPages/startquiltingtwo.html)a twin size would be 68 x 88. A quilt can be whatever size you want it to be and beds are not always the exact same size. I would measure across the bed and the drop on each side to see where the 66" will hang then you will know if you can increase your border on the sides. And I would do the same for the length. Measure the length of the bed, the drop on the bottom and the amount to tuck under and over the pillow to see what length you need. Then you will know how much you can adjust the borders. Maybe a little more or a little less width will work for you. Hope this helps a bit. TTFN from
Judy |
User: HeyJudee
Member since: 01-25-2005 Total posts: 1366 
|
From: Patty22
Date: 07-14-2007, 07:40 AM (5 of 18)
Andrea, what a beautiful first quilt!  As Judy said, there really aren't rules cast in stone; quilters don't pull out magnifying glasses or tape measures when looking at other quilts. Quilt Police is the term given to cranky people at quilting functions or shows or quilters who claim to "know it all." I am hand quilting a small quilt....about 40" square ......and the hand quilting has brought the dimensions down over 1/2" on all sides. Expect shrinkage depending on the amount and type of quilting you plan on adding and the type of batting. The formula for adding borders with a proportional look ....... you take the size of your first border and add 1 1/2 times.... so if your first border is 5", your second border is 7 1/2". What I usually do is fold the fabric and play with it until it LOOKS RIGHT. After all, the key is does this look good? Patty
|
User: Patty22
Member since: 03-29-2006 Total posts: 1194 |
From: AndreaSews
Date: 07-14-2007, 10:10 AM (6 of 18)
|
Everybody, this is all extremely helpful. Thank you very much!! I'm going to go play with things on the carpet and see how it looks with different combinations. Sometimes just sleeping on it helps too.
Andrea
|
User: AndreaSews
Member since: 02-18-2005 Total posts: 1007
|
From: Debby215
Date: 07-14-2007, 02:39 PM (7 of 18)
Andrea, first of all your first quilt is very gorgeous. You were very brave, my first one was only squares...My suggestion and its only an idea, would be to use the green and make a narrow border, then finish it off in the purple for the rest that you need. We want to see what you decide...and congrats!!
Debby
So much fabric....... So little time!! |
User: Debby215
Member since: 11-14-2001 Total posts: 611 
|
From: AndreaSews
Date: 07-14-2007, 09:25 PM (8 of 18)
|
My suggestion would be to use the green and make a narrow border, then finish it off in the purple for the rest that you need. Thanks for the idea! I like the way you think. You know what? This morning I took another look at it and I came to a similar conclusion. I chose to use the pale pink for a narrow inner border, and then the purple for the rest. I went and picked up the rest of the fabric I'll need, and I'm just about to go and and put it all together now.
Andrea
|
User: AndreaSews
Member since: 02-18-2005 Total posts: 1007
|
From: AndreaSews
Date: 07-15-2007, 12:23 AM (9 of 18)
Alright, I've worked at it some more, and I've added a picture to my album (http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=10nskech.2g1uy4m1&x=1&h=1&y=kk32vb). Now you can see it with and without the border. I'm very happy with how it has come out. Thanks, everyone, for your input and comments, which really got me rolling. Now for the fun part, right? 
Andrea
|
User: AndreaSews
Member since: 02-18-2005 Total posts: 1007
|
From: ninifav
Date: 07-15-2007, 01:00 AM (10 of 18)
| Way to go, Andrea!! Can't wait to start another quilt (I'm still a novice..) but it looks maybe August or September...Love, Love, Love your quilt... |
User: ninifav
Member since: 09-06-2004 Total posts: 204 |
From: Patty22
Date: 07-15-2007, 08:19 AM (11 of 18)
|
Andrea...IT IS BEAUTIFUL! You did a wonderful job and I can't wait to see what comes next for you. How are you planning on quilting this quilt? Patty
|
User: Patty22
Member since: 03-29-2006 Total posts: 1194 |
From: HeyJudee
Date: 07-15-2007, 11:59 AM (12 of 18)
|
Andrea, WOW...really nice...love the colours and the total look. You're a quilter now!!!
TTFN from
Judy |
User: HeyJudee
Member since: 01-25-2005 Total posts: 1366
|
From: AndreaSews
Date: 07-15-2007, 01:21 PM (13 of 18)
|
yay! Thanks, Nini, Patty, Judy. I was working hard to get it done b/cthis coming week I'll be visiting with my mom and she'll get me started with hand quilting. If I like it, great. If not, then I'll look for other options.
Andrea
|
User: AndreaSews
Member since: 02-18-2005 Total posts: 1007
|
From: Patty22
Date: 07-15-2007, 03:09 PM (14 of 18)
|
Oh Andrea, I can't wait to hear how excited your Mom is going to be when she sees your quilt! Hand quilting is a great (mindless) activity for when watching TV or sitting with my MIL. It's nice your mom will help you get started.
Patty
|
User: Patty22
Member since: 03-29-2006 Total posts: 1194 |
From: Suzan61
Date: 07-15-2007, 03:41 PM (15 of 18)
|
Andrea, I just love your first quilt -way to go - I am just starting my third and am only experimenting with triangles now. They intimidated me to no end. WOW - I applaude you for jumping right in. Looks great! Suzan |
User: Suzan61
Member since: 03-17-2007 Total posts: 10 |
From: vickki
Date: 07-15-2007, 06:24 PM (16 of 18)
| Ypur quilt is beautiful....Love your colors....Great job |
User: vickki
Member since: 08-21-2005 Total posts: 374 |
From: quiltingemi
Date: 07-18-2007, 01:44 PM (17 of 18)
|
Hi Andrea, That is a beautiful quilt and I love the borders. Where did you get the pattern? I'm a beginner quilter too, so I have completed two very easy quilts (I hope to upload their pictures soon). I would like to try another easy quilt. How difficult was this one you made? Thanks! Emilia |
User: quiltingemi
Member since: 06-25-2007 Total posts: 7 |
From: esrun3
Date: 07-18-2007, 07:06 PM (18 of 18)
|
Gorgeous quilt! Love the borders-you did a wonderful job on it!
Lyn
|
User: esrun3
Member since: 12-02-2004 Total posts: 2345 |
Visit Sew What’s Up for the latest sewing and quilting tips and discussions.
This page was originally located on Sew What’s New (www.sew-whats-new.com) at http://www.sew-whats-new.com/vb/archive/index.php/t-22869.html
Sew What’s Up is hosted by ZenSoft