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Quilt Anatomy

Border

Strips of fabric added around the perimeter of an assembled quilt top to frame it.

Borders frame the quilt top and bring it to the desired finished size. A quilt may have no border, a single border, or multiple borders (inner and outer). Borders are typically cut on the lengthwise grain of the fabric for stability. Butted borders meet at right angles at the corners, while mitered borders form 45-degree angled joins. Getting borders to lie flat without rippling or stretching requires careful measuring through the center of the quilt rather than along the edges.

Related Terms

Quilt TopThe decorative upper layer of a quilt, made from pieced or appliquéd fabric.Quilt SettingThe arrangement of quilt blocks within the quilt top.Mitered BorderA border treatment where corners are joined at a 45-degree angle, like a picture frame.

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