Border proportion size

[Cindy K.]

Does anyone use a mathmatical formula to decide how wide to make borders? I would like to use three borders on a One Block Wonder that is 42" by 57".
Thank you!
Cindy

[Kathryn S.]

Sometimes people recommend having the border width be no more than the size of the block, other people say to use a slightly smaller border. What size are your blocks? I very often will just put the quilt up on the design wall and hold up the border fabric until it looks "right". Usually that is somewhere around the size of the block. Is the "one block wonder" the design with pieced hexagons? Making the final outer border the size of a hexagon side, or the measurement across a hexagon, would be a good starting point.

Kathy

[Kathryn S.]

Don't forget that you can also use the Fibbonacci scale for multiple borders (1,1,2,3,5,8,13.......) - you don't have to start at the beginning - but use Kathy's suggestion of starting with your block size as your size of unit. This almost always guaranteed to be pleasing to the eye.

[Kathryn S.]

Rosemary, I'm fascinated with your reference to the fabbonacci scale. I'm familiar with the mathematical sequence and how it relates to so many natural designs and phenonomons but it had not occurred to me to use it in quilt design. :shock: That just might be my new obsession! :mrgreen: you are so, so wise!

[Renata L.]

I picked up on the Fibonacci sequence as DH was using it in architectural as well as furniture design... he recognized the multiple applications within quilting. I have since found a discussion of it in Joen Wolfrom's book, "Adventures in Design," page 76. You might also see it in Caryl Bryer Fallert's FIBONACCI'S GARDEN, Paducah, Kentucky, 1995. I'm sure you can find it on the internet but it is also on page 76 of Wolfrom's book. On page 138, Wolfrom discusses managing and sizing borders in a quilt. Her take appears to be to keep the border square approximately 1/2 the size of the main block.

[Renata L.]

Fibon...whats-ski?

I like math, but will have to look this one up. Is it like fractals???

Rosemary - you're a lady of many talents, and then some...

[Kathryn S.]

Hi Crocus, Fibonacci was an Italian mathematician, who described a sequence of numbers that is often used in art and architecture, as well as in nature. for instance, a nautilus shell's proportions are in a Fibonacci sequence.

you start with 1 (the first number)
Add 1 to that = 2 (the second number)
Then add first number plus second number = 3 (so far, doesn't look like much!)
Then, add second and third number (2+3= 5)
then add third and 4th number 3+5 =8
keep going: 5 + 8 = 13
then 8 + 13 = 21
then 13 + 21 = 34

etc.

The intervals between the numbers get bigger and bigger.
I've seen this used in knitting, with 2 colors in stripes that are in a Fibonacci series. I'd be willing to bet if you googled images for Fibonacci you'd find a whole bunch of cool stuff. I'm going to do that right now!

I was a chemistry major in college, back in the dark ages . I think this popped up in one of my math classes.

Kathy

[Cindy K.]

Thanks for all the great ideas. My blocks finish at 7.5 inches. I will try the Fibonacci method. So, if the first border was 2 inches then the next border would be 3 inches and the last border 5 inches? I think I have Joen Wolfrom's book - now to find it in the 'library' which is not well organized.

Cindy

[Cindy K.]

Fibon...whats-ski?

I like math, but will have to look this one up. Is it like fractals???

Rosemary - you're a lady of many talents, and then some...

It is really simple maths (fortunately). 3-5-8 will give you the Golden Ratio for a 3D item, and 3-5 or 5-8 will give the 2D Golden Ratio, Both of which are very pleasing to the eye.

As for the rest of it - I am just curious about all sorts of things (for which read nosy! :wink: )

[Cindy K.]

Well, thank you for your answer - it really helps. I have googled it and found a bit of it; enough to satisfy. I also asked my son, an engineer about it. Very interesting, we love to discuss stuff like that. I often ask his help when figuring the math for a quilt. I can do it, but he's much, much faster than me!

See? you learn something new everyday! :lol:

[Cindy K.]

http://kennykreations.com/blog/?p=89

Look at this webpage which gives proportions for block size and sashing/borders ! Yahoo! Something new!

[Cindy K.]

I do not have a mathematical brain and had never heard of that Fibonacci scale. I did a google...fascinating. Amazing what would have bored my brain in high school is so interesting now. I usually just put it up on the wall and adjust til I like the look. But, I may try this on my next large quilt. Sandi

[Kathryn S.]

I'm just finishing up the top for my Pineapple quilt (trash to treasure). Her outer border was 4 inches finished. I wondered why.... Then realized that she has hers longarm quilted, and needs 4 inches on each side. If I make my borders 5 inches finished, I will have the right width to use 2 pieces of yardage for the back without being too wide.... so 5 inches it is! It looks just fine too.

Kathy

[Cindy K.]

Hi Kathy,

I am a longarmer too and need the backing fabric to be at least 4 inches wider than the top. I baste the top's edges as I work my way through the quilt and use those extra inches from the backing to apply the side clamps. I even use this extra space to make sure the sewing tension is good.

I just today received my copy of the Pineapple quilt - Trash to Treasure. I think it will be a good way to use up some stash and looks like fun. I am waiting for the ruler to arrive. I am going to finish the One Block Wonder before I start the Pineapple Quilt though.

For the borders on the One Block Wonder, I am planning to first put a 3" (finished size) border in black, then a 2" green border and finally a 5" black border. I will use the focus fabric for binding and a big piece on the back. Just waiting for the black fabric to arrive.

Cindy

[Kathryn S.]

Cindy, your border idea sounds perfect. That middle border will really show up well surrounded by black.

What do you do with your extra fabric from the back once you're finished quilting? In her Pineapple book, Gyleen mentions that she had lots of 4 inch wide strips leftover from the quilting process... you've probably got quite a stash already.

I'm trying to figure out how to get a photo of the whole quilt top, not sure if it will fit on my design wall. Mine is a little wilder than hers, lots of red and turquoise scraps, I guess. It's a fun process- I went for random and it turned out great. i'm going to post my photo over in the section about the Pineapple quilts as soon as it's taken.

Kathy