Tuesday, October 4, 2011

To Border or Not To Border?


I'm debating on whether or not to add borders to the Cowabunga Florabunda quilt top.  

Currently the top measures 105.5" x 105.5" and is shown on my queen bed, hanging below the bottom of the box spring on both sides.


Based on a king bed measuring 76" x 80", I estimate a 14.5-15" drop on the sides... which should be enough to cover the king mattress.  Length is not an issue... there is enough to cover the mattress at the foot of the bed and still have enough to cover the pillows with a "tuck under"...

I'm leaning towards "no border" because I like the pattern going all the way to the edge.... and if I do add a border, I will add two... one narrow yellow on the inside and then a 3-4" floral border.   I plan to bind the quilt with the floral print.



Please note this quilt is intended to be coverlet size, not a bedspread (or "to the floor").  I want it to cover the mattress on the sides...  and the kids don't have one of those uber-deep/thick/high mattresses.

What say ye?




24 comments:

  1. I don't think it needs a border, personally. I bordered my Floribunda to make it bigger without adding more rows of blocks, not because I thought the pattern needed it. You certainly don't need "bigger", so I'd say you can call it good!

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  2. I should leave it as it is, no border.

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  3. I made mine without a border. I wanted mine to look old-fashioned and not compete with the center of the quilt.

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  4. No border....you have done a beautiful job. Love this huge one!

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  5. I am in the "no border" camp. I think it looks gorgeous!

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  6. I think no border as well, it looks great as it is.

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  7. I'm usually a border person but in this case I think I'd just bind it...go figure!

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  8. It looks terrific! Since you don't need more size, I'm in the no border camp on this one.

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  9. It looks nice JUST the WAY it IS! ;)

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  10. It is perfect as is! It's beautiful.

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  11. If you don't need more width, I wouldn't add a border. I was told recently by a group of modern quilters that borders can make a quilt look old fashioned. I am not sure I really believe that, but it is good to know that borderless quilts are now totally acceptable. This is a really beautiful quilt, by the way. I am waiting for my background fabric to arrive to start my JL.

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  12. It looks plenty big to me without the border and I think I like it with the pattern going all the way to the edges, too. On my JL, QAL, I'm "planning" to not do borders. I want it to be queen size, so I think 90 blocks will be enough.

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  13. I think if you are "leaning toward no border" you should listen to your gut feeling and just leave it without one. It already looks great!

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  14. I just recently bought a king sized bed and needed a coverlet for it so I bought one that is ivory color so that way I can use smaller quilts on top of it and not have to worry about them covering the mattress. I grabbed my tape measure and the purchased coverlet is 90 X 108. It covers the sides and end easily. I use pillow shams so the 90" isn't enough to cover the mattress and pillows with a tuck in. I love your quilt, and, I vote for no borders, too. My florabunda fabrics are still in a pile......

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  15. No border! I think the blocks speak for themselves. Great job!

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  16. I like it like it is - no border. Very nice!

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  17. You amaze me and you are still my hero. Your top turned out so nice. I've abandoned my Floribunda to work on JLQA. I like it better. I vote for no border and your floral binding. Hugs.

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  18. I agree with majority. This quilt looks great just as it is. I'm usually a border kinda gal, but not with this one. Great job.

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  19. My vote is no border. It looks perfect as it is!

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  20. I also vote - no border.

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  21. I think it looks done!
    Try a solid blue binding to "finish" it.
    Can your LA handle a quilt this big - or bigger if you add borders?
    My machine isn't this big!

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  22. no border. it looks amazing. how are you going to quilt it?

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  23. No Border is my vote too. It's gorgeous Freda!! HUGE too. Love it!!

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