Island Chain - 8 - Borders

This session you will be finishing your quilt top by adding borders!

You will need:

              - 24 (4) - 3½” nine-patch blocks

              - 24 (0) - 9½” x 3½” background fabric rectangles

              - 0 (23) - 4½” B squares

              - 0 (46) - 4” C squares

              - 9 (0) - 3½” x WOF Outer Border strips 

              - 8 (0) - 1½” x WOF Inner Border strips

Version 1

1. Using 12 - 9½” x 3½” background fabric rectangles and 10 - nine-patch blocks make 2 more sash strips as we did last session (steps #10 to #12).
2. Join these sash strips to the top and bottom of the quilt top. Again, press seam allowances open.
3. Sew the remaining 12 - 9½” x 3½” background fabric rectangles and 14 - nine-patch blocks into 2 sash strips as shown on the right and left sides of the diagram on page 6.
4. Join to the sides of the quilt top. Press seams open.
5. Measure the quilt top from top to bottom across the middle. It should measure close to 75½”. Using the 1½” Inner Border fabric strips, make 2 pieces at this measurement.
6. Sew to the sides of the quilt. Press towards the border.
7. Measure the quilt top from side to side across the middle. It should measure close to 77½”. Make 2 Inner Border pieces to this measurement.
8. Sew to the top and bottom of the quilt. Press towards the new border.
9. Using the 4½” Outer Border strips, repeat the above steps  The measurements should be close to 77½” and 85½”.
10. Layer the quilt top, batting and backing. Quilt as desired.
11. Follow your favourite method for binding using the 2½” Binding strips.     

Version 2

1. Using the B and C squares, make 92 combination-square-triangles. Refer to page 2 or session 2  if necessary.
2. Join 23 combination-square-triangles into one long border unit. It should be close to 69½”.
3. Press seam allowances open.
4. Repeat steps #2 and #3 to make 3 more long border units.
5. Sew a long border unit to each side of the quilt top. Refer to the version 2 diagram for the orientation.
6. Press seams open.
7. Add a nine-patch block to each end of the remaining long border units. The units should now be close to 75½” in length each.
8. Press seams open.
9. Sew these long border units to the top and bottom of the quilt top.
10. Layer the quilt top, batting and backing. Quilt as desired.
11. Follow your favourite method for binding using the 2½” Binding strips.     

 Congratulations! All done.

Square Dance is coming soon!