1B / Borders. Our sampler quilt has 3 borders and main border includes "cornerstones" which are squares in each corner. 1st border - 1" finished, 2nd border - 2" finished, and 3rd/main border - 4" finished with 4" cornerstone squares. Measurements below are to be used as GUIDELINES/EXAMPLES because your individual quilts could be less/more wide and less/more long. Therefore, you need to make adjustments to LENGTH of strips. Basis for cutting strips is that we will first sew on both vertical border strips and second sew on horizontal border strips. Strips can be cut in one length or pieced together to length needed.
1st Border - 1" finished, cut strips 1-1/2" wide. After sashings, quilt will be approx. 32-1/2" x 44" so you will need 2 strips 1-1/2" x 44" and 2 strips 1-1/2" x 34-1/2"
2nd Border - 2" finished, cut strips 2 1/2" wide. After 1st border, quilt will be approx 34-1/2" x 46" so you will need 2 strips 2-1/2" x 46" and 2 strips 2-1/2" x 38-1/2"
3rd Border - 4" finished, cut strips 4-1/2" wide. After 2nd border, quilt will be approx. 38-1/2" x 50" so you will need 2 strips 4 1/2" x 50, need 2 strips 4-1/2" x 38-1/2", and need 4 squares 4 1/2 for cornerstones.
To measure borders: Measure across middle of quilt for your width, and measure down the middle of the quilt for length. When sewing on borders, we'll first pin middle of strip to middle of quilt side, and then pin/ease rest of strip to side. Border strips square up our quilts. If you apply different length strips, even off by 1/4 inch, it will affect the way your quilt lays. Is this a big deal to quilts made to be used? NO. Is this a big deal to quilts made to hang on the wall or be judged? YES.
For new quilters, this is YOUR sampler, it will have your mistakes, your successes, and most of all your experiences gained along the way. By now, I hope that one of the most important things you've learned is to enjoy the process. Please don't stress yourselves now. You will be (and should be) very proud of your finished sampler quilt with all its pieces, strips and stitches.
2B. Batting: Need twin size. Personal favorites are Dream Cotton and Warm & Natural Cotton.
3B. Backing: This is the bottom layer of your quilt, so... don't feel limited, use any backing that suits your quilt, and plan that it is at least 4" wider and 4" longer than your quilt top. This will give you at least 2 inches all around to provide for the quilting process. A quilt backing with an interesting motif could provide ideas for quilting, or opportunity to quilt from the back. Newbies: A busy quilt backing hides less-than-perfect quilting stitches, i.e., small floral or geometric print fabric.
4B. Binding: Suggest using double-fold binding, cutting strips 2-1/4" wide that will finish to 1/4" wide binding (if using batting like Warm & Natural cotton). We'll look at single-fold binding and self-binding, quick turn method, and embellishments for binding, and mitering.
This information is provided as a guideline. Please do not feel like you need to have all this prepared for our class on the 3rd Tuesday this month. It would be great if you could have all your blocks completed and sashings done, and the fabrics with you that you want to use for the 4 Bs. We can do the cutting together.
