Let us guess: your quilt top is coming together marvellously, but you’ve stopped dead in your tracks. You don’t know what to do. Where you’re going, what you’re doing. Of all the options out there, which quilt border do you go for? That is the question.
We love that pretty much any quilt block out there can be adapted into a border, but any quilt lover will know that that opens up a whole world of possibilities. We’ve narrowed it down with this handy list of quilt border patterns to get you inspired.
Along with rounding up which traditional quilt blocks make perfect quilt borders, we also have some inspiring ideas for walking foot quilting designs that will elevate any border.
Plus, check out our tips on purpose-made border fabrics – the answer to your quilt border prayers.
New to quilting? Make sure you check out our beginner's guide to quilting to support you in your sewing journey! Our guide covers everything a beginner needs.
8 quilt border ideas!
1. Seminole heart quilt border pattern
Be still our beating hearts! We love this swoon-worthy Seminole heart pattern.
These sweet little heart blocks make the perfect quilt border idea, and they’re super simple too thanks to strip piecing! No tiny, fiddly squares are needed…
Find the Joyful Hearts pattern by Getas Quilting Studio over on Geta’s blog.
2. Scalloped quilt border pattern
Wow! Say hello to curvy quilted goodness.
We know these scalloped borders may look intimidating, but we promise they aren’t as hard as they look – especially if you follow along with this tutorial by Andy of A Bright Corner.
Once your quilt top is pieced and quilted, all you’ll need to do is trim the edges, then measure out your scalloped edges and get snipping (carefully, of course!). Then, attach bias binding to keep those curved edges looking crisp and neat – et voila!
3. Scrappy Ribbon blocks quilt border
What’s that sound? Oh that’s right, it’s your fabric stash calling, telling you to take a dive into your scraps and create with fabrics you have to hand instead of buying new!
This Happy Scrappy quilt by Alyce at Blossom Heart Quilts is a perfect stash-buster. We love the scrappy ribbon quilt border idea too. It uses various fabrics from your stash to give it a colourful, eclectic feel.
Check out her blog for a tutorial on the ribbon blocks. She used colourful prints paired with low-volume background fabrics, but you can customise the design to your choosing.
4. Half-square Triangle zig-zag quilt border
The trusty Half-square Triangle is known for its versatility – not to mention ease. We’ve made so many over the years, we reckon we could piece them with our eyes closed!
If you’re a fellow lover of HSTs, check out these Half-square Triangle border ideas by Quilts by Jen! There are loads of inspiring quilt border ideas in her list.
We especially love the zig-zag effect here, created with carefully placed HSTs. Wouldn’t this just make the perfect, punchy quilt border pattern for your next project?
Need help finishing your quilt?
Now you're at the final stage of piecing your quilt, you'll be faced with binding your quilt soon. Check out our top tips for perfect mitred corners.
5. Prairie Points block quilt border idea
Prairie Points are a great quilt block to incorporate into your quilt border. We love how Laura of Slice of Pi Quilts used them in her Autumn Lattice quilt border to create a striking frame around her show-stopping lattice, mirroring the Prairie Points used in the centre!
You can decorate your border with Points in smaller groups like those pictured, or keep them going all the way around. Whatever lies at the centre of your quilt top, Prairie Points will do a great job attracting attention to it.
6. Print fabric quilt border pattern
Did you know there are specialist fabrics out there which are made with the purpose of being a quilt border? Make a border fabric’s dreams come true and stitch it into an easy-piece quilt border!
Amanda, AKA Jedi Craft Girl, used a Riley Blake Designs border print fabric featuring wavy lines for her quilt border. This quilt border pattern coordinates perfectly with the colours of her Halloween Disappearing Nine-Patch quilt top. Such a great finishing touch, and so simple too!
You could also opt for a contrasting or complementary print fabric which has slightly different colours to the top, but still looks cohesive. The world is your oyster!
7. Quilted border
Okay, we’re about to blow your minds… What if you didn’t have to piece your border into quilt blocks to get an intricate border design?
Paige of Quilting Wemple pulled together this list of ideas for designs you can quilt into your borders – and all you need is your walking foot!
This fan quilt border pattern is particularly mesmerising, but she also shows off Herringbone quilted borders, neat and orderly Piano Keys and interlocking squares too.
8. Prairie Braid quilt border pattern
Warning: your hair may get jealous of this beautiful, delicate Prairie Braid border! We love the rich jewel tones and vibrant prints used in this quilt border idea by Julia of Bay Hill Studio.
This border with a bit more detail is perfect for framing a quilt with a minimalist central design, or a fabric panel that deserves to be drawn attention to.
Wondering how Julia pulled together this intricate work of fabric art? Check out her YouTube tutorial on how to make a Prairie Braid quilt border.
Decorate your quilt top with a beautiful border!
After all your hard work piecing together your quilt top, your design deserves a striking quilt border pattern that matches its beauty!
The great thing about these quilt border ideas is they’re so customisable. Pick and choose what works for your quilt, and elevate any design with a border that adds a special extra touch.
Find your next quilting project with Gathered
Now you’ve got all these ideas for quilt borders you’d love to make, you’re going to need some more patterns to piece!
Head over to our free quilting patterns to explore our incredible range of projects and experiment with quilt borders for uniquely customised quilts.
