Making the top and bottom borders – Colour Fair Down Under QAL

I haven’t done a video for the borders but you can get the instructions on page 9 of the pattern. You will make 2 borders.

Note: A fellow quilter very kindly spotted some details missing from the pattern on page 9. As it turns out the information was hidden behind the graphics and I didn’t realise before I uploaded the pattern to Etsy. 

Point 7 and 8 are missing towards the end of the page after the illustration labelled “Top border” and “Bottom border” and before the border assembly illustration.

The missing text should read:

“7. Cut the first top and bottom border in pink measuring 1 ½” x 60 ½”. And then the second border in pistachio measuring 2 ½” x 60 ½ .
8. Sew the 3 pieces together.“

Or you can download the updated pattern on Etsy. Once you’ve purchased it you can download it as many times as you like.

Just two pieces of advice about the border.

If possible cut the long strips of fabric from the length of fabric to avoid any stretching.

Sew the strips of fabric to make the checkered borders with a scant 1/4″.

I can’t emphasize enough that, when cutting the assembled strips across into squares,  you’re cutting at 90 degrees. After a few cuts you may find that any inaccuracies, even tiny ones, will accumulate and your squares will turn into diamonds. 

So your homework is to make the 2 borders and put them aside for next time.

Now, next installment is quilt-as-you-go.

Have you just found out about this QAL? You can join and do the quilt at your own pace. If you’re a fast quilter you may finish your top in time for QAYG.

How to join the Colour Fair Down Under Quilt Along?

To be part of the quilt along:

• Subscribe to this blog for free via email to receive all the posts with information about the blocks, tips and tricks.
• Purchase the pattern.

Have a close look at the project with this promo video:

Schedule

We will start making blocks on Saturday 30 October 2021 and finish them by Christmas.

Then we’ll resume on 8 January 2022 and make the borders.

And finally we’ll finish the quilt with QAYG and be ready to show your finished quilts at the end of January.

We’ll break for Christmas from 5 December to 7 January. This will allow you to catch up with any sewing you may have missed.

• 7 January – Top and bottom borders
• 22 January – Quilt-as-you-go (bonus video)
• 29 January – Binding

Share your progress

Let’s share our blocks to encourage each other:

• On Instagram please tag me with @teresadownunder and hashtag #colourfairdownunderqal
• Join my Facebook group and post your pictures there
• You can also show your pictures on my QAL Event page on Facebook