The borders of quilts are seldom given the prominence that they deserve. Too often we say, “I want my quilt about 72 inches wide by 84 long so I’ll use blocks 12 inches square, that’s 6×7 – 42 blocks. All right, that’s that”; and the quilt may be ever so much work, beautifully done, and yet look disappointingly ordinary when finished. Personally I’d as soon hang my pictures unframed, as to finish my quilts unbordered.

Almost any pieced block can have a special border unit evolved from it which harmonizes with the design – triangle borders exactly suit some, others could use alternate color squares or pin wheels and squares; there is an old- fashioned one called “Tile Border” which is really just little “Necktie” blocks with the center square only in dark or contrasting color. “Spools” also makes a clever patchwork border, as does diagonally placed dark squares, filled in to the outer edges with light triangles either side.

Usually an applique border is best on an applique quilt, and a pieced one with pieced blocks. I have seen artistic pieced work around applique, especially when there is some piecing in the block, but an ornate vine or scallop border around a homey pieced center is as out of keeping as a massive gold frame on a chaste little etching.