Last week I talked about fabric strips, how I cut and store them and the blocks that I make with them. If you missed that post, read it here. So now that you are cutting and organizing your strips and creating fun new blocks, what else can you do with them? Borders and scrappy binding of course!
Borders
Every quilt doesn’t need a border, but they sure do look good with one. I consider it the “frame” of the quilt top center. I like to pull out colors and other elements from the quilt top into the border to add interest. Here’s where you can get creative with strips. This first photo is a piano key border.
It’s fairly simple to do and it makes a striking frame. Plus it’s a great way to use up leftover scraps from the quilt! My quilt tops are usually very scrappy so I like to create separation from the scrappy fabric strip border with a plain border strip. I think it also helps to highlight both the quilt top center and the border.
This next border is a variation of the piano key. I did a flip and sew corner on the “keys” to make the border a bit more interesting.
Also, this quilt does not have a plain border strip between the quilt top and border because the blocks are on point and the setting blocks are not scrappy.
The next style of border I like is a checkerboard border. There are different ways this can be done. A single strip of squares sandwiched between two plain border strips, double rows of the same size squares or even a mix of squares and rectangles in what I call a “wonky” checkerboard/piano key mix.
Fun, huh?
Then there’s the good old fashioned flying geese border. These are easily made with strips because flying geese are made with rectangles and squares.
Finally…. well not really because the possibilities are endless, just plain strips sewn together in unique ways can make a fun border.
Binding
So, now if you still have strips leftover, you can use them to make a scrappy binding! Simply piece the strips together to make the binding and you have another way to pull the colors you used out of the quilt top to the edge. I think a scrappy binding works best if your last border is plain, but that’s not always necessarily the case. Use your judgment.
Well, that’s all I have on fabric strips for now. Comment below on whether you have used strips in this way or if you think you might try. You will be entered into the drawing for a free pattern!
It’s my newest pattern called Seaside Cottage. This drawing is open to all in and out of the USA as this pattern also comes as a PDF download. If your name is drawn and you do not live in the US, you will receive a PDF download. Drawing is August 26th. Good luck! ***We have a winner! Congrats, Marsha B!***
Happy Quilting!
Deanne
I love scrappy and have used a scrappy binding and scrappy sashing strips in some of my quilts. They are fun and use up extra fabric! Seaside Cottage is so pretty, another beautiful pattern!
Your borders and especially the bindings were eye opening when I got to see them
I have used strips in a piano key border, but would love to try some of your methods! I have a couple of your patterns, and love them!
Thank you for showing so many options, it is easy to just add fabric but pieced borders are stunning!
I used strips sewn together to create a border on my last quilt and am currently working on a similar style border for my current quilting project. Love all of the styles you show!
I have made some of these types of borders from fabrics used in the quilt top. So fun to go scrappy! I’m going to keep this in mind.
I have quilts that will be receiving scrappy borders and will be gifted to my girlfriends. Thanks for the inspiration!
I have used strips for binding but depends on the quilt when I do..
I have made scrappy bindings and also used leftover strips for piano key borders. I see a lot more ideas here to try. I think the scrappier the better!
I love all your scrappy quilts. I enjoy strip quilts.
Really enjoy your blogs. Scrappy quilts are the best!!! Love how you think outside the box. Makes for a very interesting quilt. Your borders give me inspiration!!!!!
Hi there, thank you for those ideas, I love interesting borders. I have done a couple, love the scrappy binding they always look great. I have a very large bin full of scraps.