Psst:  It’s really all about what looks good to you and how big you have to make the quilt.

Like other areas of quilting, there are some mathematical formulas to assist in determining border size:

1)  Golden Ratio:  Finished size of most commonly used block x 1.618 or .618 = finished border width

2)  Rule of thumb:  1/2 to 2/3 the largest block in your quilt

3) Fibonacci numbers:  0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, etc. (helpful for determining proportions for multiple borders)

For example, in the memory quilt I’m currently making, my blocks are 15″ finished with 2″ finished sashing and contrasting cornerstones between the blocks.  I was going to add my standard 5″ finished outer border, but it didn’t look right – it didn’t look big enough.  Nor did it even come close enough to the 72″ length the customer preferred.

So, out comes my trusty calculator:

Using the Golden Ration, my finished border should be:  9.25″  [This actually put the quilt at 71″x71″]

Using Rule of Thumb, my finished border should be 7.5″ to 10″

Using a different Rule of Thumb, my border should be 1/3 of the finished block or 5″

Scratch #3 – even with the 2″ sashed inner border, it’s still too small.

So, I booted up EQ7 and plugged in the numbers to see what was the most visually appealing

Golden ratio was most visually pleasing, but I didn’t have enough fabric to do that, so I cut 8.5″ wide strips instead.

If short of fabric, I could’ve used the Fibonacci numbers to determine the sizes of the pieced borders – 3″ and 5″ to make that 8″ border I wanted.  The quilt will finish about 70″ square with binding, so I think we’re good.

Help support the Crafty STEM club at my school by making a donation to our project page on Donors Choose.

We’re about 1/3 of the way there.

Challenge:  If you pledge before 9/27, use the code INSPIRE at checkout and your gift will be matched up to $100 by an anonymous donor.

Thank you for supporting the creative crafters of tomorrow.

Mom said she wanted a Happy Birthday garland/banner/bunting for her birthday.  It’s a big one (70), so a handmade banner was in order.

Pinterest, I finally heeded your siren song.

This + this + some fabric from my stash made this:

Happy Birthday Mom!

Construction notes:  I used the large bunting template.  Letters were printed at 66% of actual size.  A 3″ narrow font letter set from Acc-u-cut or Ellison (they make die cutting machines) would make this project go even faster.  Lots of fusing and just a little stitching.  Letter were strung on twine – a heavier weight cording would have been nice – and taped to the mantel with blue painter’s tape. In hindsight, cupcake fabrics for the letters on a solid background or a dark solid on the cupcakes would’ve meant more contrast, but Mom loved it anyway.  This project was TOTALLY from el stasho.

This would also make a great classroom banner or seasonal decor.