By Holly Hanover
Quilt by Terry White
There are many different opinions on how to make a quilt fabulous. From different stitch designs to adding borders each person can add a different and unique flair to their quilting project. Each different addition can make a quilt fabulous in a different way. Here are some tips and tricks on how to make a fabulous looking quilt with a few simple flair additions.
Bordering
Borders make for a wonderful addition to any quilt. There are so many different possibilities you are likely to find a few you absolutely love. Mixing border designs to your quilts top can add a unique finished look to your quilt. Though many borders are planned from the beginning of the quilting design, many are also added on as an afterthought.
A good border should enhance the look of the rest of the quilt. It is basically a frame around the original design that gives your quilt a finished look. Your border width should not exceed the size of any one block within the original design.
If you’re just learning how to make a quilt, butted borders are the simplest and require the least amount of fabric. These can even be made from left over material that was used within your quilt. Darker colors will provide stronger frames while lighter colors are more light and open feeling. You can even mix fabrics that were used within the quilt to add a sort of interest to your design.
For the intermediate quilter, the folded ribbon illusion tend to be a more stunning option. This should not compete with or outshine the original design, however, so stick to simple fabric choices from within your original palette.
As for the advanced quilter, adding applique to your border not only looks great but also adds to the entire size of the quilt. A great solution for those dimensions that came up a bit short. Different sizes, shapes and fabric combos make it an endless world to explore.
Stitching
Another idea on how to make a quilt more unique with a finished look is adding stitching to it. From embroidery to big stitching there are many different ways you can add a little extra to your design giving your quilt that handmade love appeal that quilts are best known for.
Big stitch is large and evenly spaced hand quilting technique most often used for a more folk art type of appearance. This is a great stitch for beginning quilters because it doesn’t require as much rocking as a regular quilting stitch.
Adding embroidery to your quilt gives it a unique design within your piece. You can add bead embroidery or you can individually embroider your blocks before stitching them together. Though this step isn’t always done at the end, it does add a finished look and feel to your quilt.
There are machines that will do stitching for you as well in both embroidery and regular or echo stitching. These do not offer the traditional feel of hand stitching but it does add accuracy and speed to your quilt making.
No matter what you decide to do to finish off your quilt, the handmade look and overall love that goes into making it be it for a gift or yourself is irreplaceable. What are some of your favorite unique finishing tips for quilting projects?
Let us know who you make your quilts fabulous. Leave a reply below.
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