We’re very lucky to have such incredibly talented friends for whom we’re able to give honestly positive reviews of the books they write. Julie Herman, one of our besties, falls right into this group with her first–and hot off the presses–book, Skip the Borders (Martingale, 2012). Julie, of Jaybird Quilts, was one of the very first bloggers we started following, and man, did she set the bar for first-class quilt blogging with her incredible photos, in-depth tutorials and charming glimpses into her behind-the-scenes life. We love Julie, and are so proud of what she’s done.
So that said, let’s talk about Skip the Borders. If a quilt were to “go commando,” it would be made without borders. And that’s what Julie’s done here — made 15 original quilt projects (with 14 of them quilted by the equally incredible Angela Walters — hey Angela, do you ever sleep, Girlfriend?!?) — all deliciously stripped down.
White Stars quilt
In Formation quilt
Julie starts off explaining that a borderless quilt requires a strong pattern or structure. This is Design Process 101 and it’s very helpful to start us all on our borderless-venture.
Julie’s not just talking. She holds a degree in design from Drexel University and really does know the rules she’s laying out.
Sometimes her approach uses a traditional block and enlarges it to take over the top, like White Stars or In Formation. Other times she’s combining two blocks to create perfection, as in Raspberry Dessert. But for each quilt, she emphasizes the importance of the binding in the design.
So yes, we recommend this book. It’s a great reference tome for your collection and we predict you’ll be racing to make a few of these freedom-loving beauties.
Raspberry Dessert quilt
Now, as part of her book tour, Julie wanted to start a little border discussion with a few well-chosen questions for the GenQ team. Here’s the back-and-forth:
Julie: All of the quilts in Skip the Borders are…borderless! Do you skip borders on most of your quilts?
Scott: Yeah, I’d say I skip the borders most of the time. I tend to veer away from that traditional concept. It’s because I like to design all the way out to the edge. Sometimes I will have a border, but part of the middle will break out into it. Sometimes I have a pieced border. And sometimes I just don’t want to mess with all the measuring and adjusting that borders require.
Julie: In the intro to my book I give you Permission to Break the Rules. Do you break some quilting rules? What is the number one rule you break and why?
Jake: Oh, the Quilt Police are going to howl in pain about this one, but I NEVER have measured out from my quilts’ centers and ends to determine what size my borders should be. I taught myself to quilt and figured that the best way to determine what size the borders should be was by first completely squaring a quilt with a couple of long and big rulers and carefully trimming until I made it straight. (I often oversize my quilts’ inside pieces to give myself enough fabric to trim down.) Then I just sew the darned strips of borders onto the edges and voila. My quilts lay flat. Might be luck, but there you have it.
Julie: It’s no secret that I love binding! In Skip the Borders, I’ve included an entire chapter on binding. So the million-dollar question is do you use bias or straight of grain most of the time?
Vicki: Binding, to use bias or not…hmmm. First, there are only two criteria I use for using bias binding:
1) Is the edge scalloped or irregular?
2) Is the fabric I am using for the binding going to look better if I cut it on the bias?
Otherwise, I ONLY use the width of fabric (WOF) grain line bias. (I admit, a couple of times I have actually used the length of grain for my binding, but that was because it was perfect for the binding and leftover from a border on the quilt, and I only had a lengthwise piece.) I find there’s just enough give in the WOF strips for my binding and it helps the quilt edge lay nice and flat. It’s easy to stretch a bias binding out of whack when you sew it on; it takes concentration and patience–traits I sometimes lack by the time I get to the binding because I am probably approaching a deadline.
But having more staff than questions (and not wanting to leave anyone out), we added a few of our own:
Us: Do you prefer hand-stitched or machine stitched borders, and why?
Melissa: Oh, hand-stitched, no question! I not only prefer the look, but I also enjoy the doing. It’s actually meditative for me to work those bindings by hand, hiding my stitches and tightening up the mitered corners. Plus, every time I’ve tried to machine-stitch the final step of a binding, it wasn’t a pretty sight. Why compound my gloriously horrible quilting with equally crummy binding?
Us: Do you miter your corners or do the squared-off edge thingy?
Tracy: I miter, but only because I know how to do it and I love the results. When I first started quilting, I did the squared edge thingy. It was easy and I could get it done quickly. As my quilting progressed, I wanted a more polished look so now I miter. Want me to show you how? 
Us: What’s the greatest number of borders you’ve ever added to a quilt and why?
Megan: I have two quilts that have two borders. One (which is still just a lonely quilt top) because that’s what the pattern called for, and the other because the blocks I made– even with sashing–were too small for a good lap quilt, so I needed to add some square inches to fill it out. I made two borders purely as a lark, thinking, I guess, that considering how much I needed to add, one solid border at that size would have looked overwhelming. It turned out to be a great decision, because the borders set off the blocks quite nicely, if I do say so myself. But I will say that my favorite of all my quilts (and, frankly, I haven’t made all that many) has no borders at all!
The Fun’s Just Beginning!
Check out the other stops along Julie’s Skip the Borders blog tour. At each one you’ll find some fun & freebies to enjoy. As for us, we’re giving away two e-books ( PLEASE NOTE THESE ARE EBOOKS THAT YOU WILL DOWNLOAD!!) of Skip the Borders for you to enjoy. All we ask is that you tell us if you’ve “gone commando” with one of your quilts and if you enjoyed the experience? Answer below in our comments section and then make sure you check in at the other stops along Julie’s tour.
Sept. 12: P.S. I Quilt http://www.psiquilt.com/
Sept. 14: Beyond the Reef http://beyondthereefpatterns.blogspot.com/
Sept. 17: Pink Chalk Studio http://www.pinkchalkstudio.com/blog/
Sept. 19: Fat Quarter Shop http://www.fatquartershop.blogspot.com/
Sept. 21: Bijou Lovely Designs http://www.bijoulovelydesigns.com/
Sept. 24: Red Pepper Quilts http://www.redpepperquilts.com/
Sept. 26: Swatch and Stitch http://www.swatchandstitch.com/
Sept. 28: Juicy Bits http://juicy-bits.typepad.com/
Oct. 1: V. and Co. http://www.vanessachristenson.com/
Oct. 2: Martingale Publishing http://blog.shopmartingale.com/
Oct. 5: Carolina Patchworks http://carolinapatchworks.com/blog/
Oct. 8: I Am a Ginger Monkey http://imagingermonkey.blogspot.com/
Oct. 10: Blue is Bleu http://blueisbleu.blogspot.com/
Oct. 12: Quilting is My Therapy http://www.quiltingismytherapy.com/
{ 171 comments… read them below or add one }
I was abou to say yes, I’ve made a “border free” quilt – but. Now I’m not sure! Like Julie, I’ve often used a border to make the final project big enough.
Once I made a quilt with 5 or 6 borders. It started out as a doll quilt with leftover tiny pinwheels, and I just started playing and it grew and grew.
I think I go commando with all of quilts… in one way or another. Sometimes I don’t square up the finished quilt and let the edges be wonky (sort of a nod to those Gees Bend Quilts). I sort of love the look on improvised quilts.
Haven’t gone borderless yet, but anything can happen. Thanks for the giveaway!
I always go commando! The one time I didn’t was for my son’s transport I-spy quilt. It wasn’t an I-spy vomit quilt, but it still needed some “quietening” so I added a light grey with cars and trucks print to add some calm and size!
I had never thought about the border/no border issue until I heard of Julie’s book. I think I need her advice because all of the big quilts I have made have had borders, though one is just a simple white sashing basically. I have made miniquilts, however, that have no borders. Julie is so amazing and talented and I would love to win a copy of her book – thanks for the chance !
I have just finished a scrappy Halloween Bargello quilt, and it is going commando! I am going to do my first bias binding for it too. Thanks for the giveaway. Julie is awesome. Mary
Congrats to Julie on her new book and thank you for the giveaway. I have skipped borders only on smaller sized quilts – lap and baby quilts.
I “go commando” about half or two-thirds of the time; I only add a border if the quilt seems to demand it (like a sampler) or I’m peeved that I spent so much time piecing and it’s still too small to satisfy (like tumblers)!
Oh, I’m a big fan of going commando…with my quilts. There’s this one: http://www.quiltmatters.blogspot.ca/2012/05/tgiff-and-bloggers-quilt-festival-what.html. And this one: http://www.quiltmatters.blogspot.ca/2012/04/tgiff-mod-1600.html. And this one: http://quiltmatters.blogspot.ca/2011/10/tgiff-falling-for-stripes.html. Well, you get the idea. Thanks for the giveaway! I’d love to win a copy of the book!
I’ve gone borderless several times, and have never regretted it. Makes for a fresher, more “today” kind of quilt. And I’d LOVE to win a copy of Julie’s book!
I just finished a borderless Raspberry Dessert quilt, using the pattern that was in a magazine not long ago. It’s now at the quilter’s and I can’t wait to see it finished. Great design, Julie.
I just recently finished a quilt without a border and I loved the way it turned out. I’m planning on doing many more this way!
Why yes, I’ve gone commando! Sometimes a quilt really doesn’t need a border and I’ve been very happy with the results.
well I started to machine quilting these year, I was so traditional with the designs of my quilts the binding, the borders even the quilting all was made by me and by hand, but this year I started a revolution on my design table and I also started to use my sewing machine full time for quilting, I got a collection of country kraft magazines and my first internet following was Mccalls page, so you can see that just these year I discover the blogers world of quilting, and 8 started to breack all the rules, amazing how you encourage people and share inspiration, so now I am a rebel that also is learning to machine quilting following the bloggers, and I feel freee of doing anything possible in my little quilting room, thank you for sharing all your knowledge, hugs from Guatemala.
Yippee! This books is so beautiful! I do borderless quilts because I like that look – blocks all the way to the edge. I do borders, too when needed, but I much prefer quilts that go all the way to the edge.
I’m pretty new to quilting (I have three WIPs right now), and two of them are borderless. One of them is a GIANT eight-point star, and the other is a pretty dramatic color-wheel strip quilt. Yay for no borders!
well I started machine quilting these year, everything I made was handmade by me, the binding, the borders even the quilting, now I am a full time machine quilting person, also Iam learning to free hand machine quilting following the bloggers world that I recently discover, it´s amazing how you encourage people to rediscover the enjoy of quilting and also to design quilts, now I fell free of breaking rules, and my friend I really enjoy it, lol, so everything related with that I am a follower, thanks for the inspiration, from my litlle quilt room here in Guatemala a big hug
oh yes, I’ve gone commando several times – my quilts love the freedom!
On my minis and baby quilts I’ve stopped putting on borders. That way I have more room for blocks!
I’ve never made a quilt without borders. Thanks for the chance to win Julie’s new book!
I haven’t skipped the borders yet, but Julie’s quilts sure do inspire me to give it a try! Love the previews of her new book!
I have done one quilt without borders – because that’s how the pattern came! Two others that I’ve done I chose to add the border to make the quilt bigger. At the end of the day, I like both ways
I’ve done a few commando quilts and really love the look. Guess it depends on the quilt pattern. This book looks like it has soe fresh ideas. Would love to win a copy
I have never “gone commando” on my quilts but after seeing some of Julie’s I am wondering why not.
I have pieced quite a lot of quilts without a borders. But I also have some that have 3 -4 borders that I love equally well.
No, I haven’t gone commanndo yet, that’s why I need this book to show how to do it! Thanks!
Wow, this takes the edge off. It looks like the patterns just continues. Great idea! Thanks for sharing…Judith, Texas
This book look fantastic! I would say I “Go commando” on about 50% of my quilts. I will also say my favorite quilts usually don’t have borders. I should really remember that in the future!
Yes as a matter of fact I have it is called BQ by Maple Island Quilts Inc. and I love the quilt .One of my daughters has been hinting to get it.I liked doing the quilt and I love the look of the quilt. It is the only larger quilt it is a “large lap” that I have done without a border but would love to do more.
Yep, Commando it is! I’m just learning here… I didn’t know borders were required LOL. I just did me a hexagon quilt, and I designed it myself, so I just did my hexagons to the edge. Guess it wasn’t an oopsie afterall!
I almost always skip the borders and the sashing. Always have.
I went “commando” with my first quilt – didn’t know you were “supposed” to have borders.
i’ve made one without borders … a quilt as you go! this was fun, done when the last piece was joined. however, this really wasn’t what your were asking! i’ve a top made without borders, though, that just needs to have a backing attached and turned; then it will count!
Gone commando – that’s a great one! Yes, I’ve done that in the past when creating my own designs, and the pattern was enough to make the statement. Would love to read more about what Julie does without borders!
I’d say most of my quilts don’t have borders. Lately, the only time they have what might be called a border is if I float the blocks so that the background and border fabric are the same. I can’t wait to get a look at Julie’s book!
I must admit that most of my quilts DO have borders. BUT my current project is my first quilt without borders and it is lovely! I follow JayBird Quilts and wait to get the book! Julie’s designs are gorgeous!
Yes, I have completed a log cabin and a stash and slash quilt with no borders and used scrappy binding from the fabrics I used for the interior blocks. I loved it… a freeing experience. I would love to have a chance to win Julie’s Skip the Borders e-book…thanks for the chance.
judieharron@yahoo.com
Book looks great. My first quilt was made without borders – a blue and white Jacobs Ladder. I made it about 20 years ago, but it would probably look quite modern now, apart from the fact the the inconsistent seam allowance, and poly-cotton white means it is falling to pieces.
I’m a fairly new quilter so I haven’t “gone commando” yet, but after seeing Julie’s great designs, I think I’m ready to try! Her book would certainly inspire me!
Yup! I’ve gone commando and I like it! I made a small lap quilt that alternates between white on white with 30s fabric. It came out really cute, if I do say.
I’ ve gone commando in probably a third to half of the quilts I’ve done. When I do a border, it usually is a pieced one of some sort
I LOVE this book. Already have the book! I love all this new Modern quilt stuff. I am a TRUE ADDICT. Your have such afresh approach!
I “go commando” as often as possible. Like Julie, I don’t really consider a border when I am designing or planning a quilt, so very rarely feel the need to add one. The book looks great, thank for the opportunity to win a copy.
I had never thought of the border/no border issue before, but I have tended to use borders on all my large quilts. I have made many mini quilts with no borders. I will try to make it a point to lose the border on the next big quilt I make, but Julie’s book would certainly help
I’ve skipped borders on baby quilts that had huuuuuuge blocks! I’m currently making a table runner with smaller blocks, and it’s getting multiple borders. One of these days I’ll find a happy medium… I hope…
Great quilts in the book. I had not thought of skipping borders before so have never gone commando yet. But I really like the look of those border less quilts.
I usually do add borders to enlarge the quilt and when hanging on a bed, the borders are often unnoticed. However, just finished a lap quilt with no borders. I think that is a first and have enjoyed not having to figure out borders. But I found borders also help me square up a quilt.
I “go commando” {borderless} whenever possible. I love the look. By the time I finish the blocks, I am ready to be done with the quilt, so NO borders, except when I need them to add inches to the quilt.
I’ve only been quilting for a couple of years.. All of my quilts have been commando so far!
I’ve made a few quilts that looked perfect without a border!
Yes! I’ve “gone commando!” Love it! I’d rather not mess with borders if I don’t have to
Thanks for the chance to win Juiie’s book.
I have never gone commando on a quilt but I want to and this book seems like the perfect inspiration. Thanks for the review.
So far all my quilts have had borders, but If I had Julie’s new book I would be encouraged to give it a try….going borderless/commando sure gives a quilt a modern fresh look…LindaB
I have never gone without borders – but I find the idea very intriguing and this book looks fabulous. Thanks to Julie so leading the way.
I have never made a quilt without a border. Great giveaway! I think that I will have to try it
soon! Thanks for the chance to win!
wigglypup2(at)yahoo(dot)com
I’ve made several quilts commando- probably long before it was the “modern” thing to do. I can’t wait to see the book.
Yes, I have. It was for my son in boy colors of blues, browns, and creams. It was perfect and didn’t need a border.
I love border free quilting!
I love to not put borders on a quilt. I like to extend the background
I have not made a quilt without borders, but I would like to after I have seen what Julie has done. Thank you!
Great interview! I laughed a few times and really enjoyed reading. Going Commando works out lovely for Julies patterns.
Smiles,
Kelly
The only of my quilts that have gone commando are art quilts, so far anyway. You never know what I might do next however…
No Commando quilts yet, but I am planning one at the moment for my eldest son. I’m aiming at something modern that he won’t outgrow.
I haven’t gone borderless yet but love the look and plan to try it soon.
So far, I haven’t finished a quilt with no borders – but there is one top lying around that still has no borders and I can’t find a color for a border that would satisfy me.
I guess since this great book is out now, that should encourage me to go commando for this one… we’ll see what happens. I guess quilting will have to wait until my longarm machine arrives somewhen in November anyway
(that gives me more time to ponder, right?)
Thanks for the chance to win an ebook copy of this great source of inspiration!
Yes, my first quilt that I’m working on is borderless. I guess I chose the pattern because it is less complicated for my first quilting project. Thanks for a chance to win this fabulous looking book!
Can’t wait to get my hands on the book. My local shop is ordering for me today. Great job.
Patsy
I have gone borderless and loved it!
Thanks for the giveaway!
I have made some quilts without borders. Sometimes I might plan to use a border but then the top looks finished without it, other times a border was never in the plan. Julie’s book looks great, thanks for the chance to win!
I have done a quilt without a border! It really was by accident and in a class ~ it was a sew, cut it up and sew again kind of quilt and I knew when it was finished. It turned out really wonky ~ I didn’t square it up when it was done. I haven’t thought of doing another, but the quilts in this book look great!
Thanks for the giveaway!
Sometimes I think “Commando” might be my middle name. I enjoy the creative process more than I enjoy reading anf following directions. Are the results ever perfect? Not really. But I have a lot of fun!
I actually just finished a quilt without any borders. I honestly didn’t know I was breaking the rules until I saw Julie’s blog about her book, back when it first came out! I’d say I’m more apt to not do borders than I am.
I think I accidentally go commando on a lot of my quilts. If I make a mistake I just roll with it instead of ripping out seams, it creates something different but I normally like it.
I just finished a borderless quilt and I love it! I see myself going commando more often.
I haven’t skipped the borders in any quilts completed to date, but I do have one in progress with no borders planned.
Yes! I used to think everything needed borders, but now I am re-examining that. I have started leaving them off and am happy with it. They are an easy way to make things bigger or show off a pretty fabric, but depending on the sort of scrappy quilt it works great without them too!
Hmm, well I decided to do a binding-less quilt last month, when I realized I cut the back too small, so it’s folded over under on both sides. Still getting up the nerve to baste it in the sewing machine, I feel way to inexperienced to wing it like that, but I have my fingers crossed that it will look good when I’m done!
I don’t believe I have because I learned to piece by hand and hand quilt many moons ago! I have always used a pattern which always called for a border. The old school of thought was to use the borders to create a frame or mat for your piecework, to make the quilt design pop. I have to admit, Julie quilts without borders have a fresh and new look to them which I like. I am delighted that the next generation of quilters is taking quilting in a new direction of their own making…forward!
Yes, I’ve gone “borderless” on a couple of quilts and I want to try it on more. Often how to make the border and what fabric to use is a real puzzle for me so Julie’s book would be ideal.
I am yet to be brave and bold enough to “go commando” on my quilts. I do however have a top done that I left without its outer border. It is hanging in the breeze waiting for me to finish the pieced backing … also borderless. My days of being safe and well bordered are numbered and I am about to toss my quilts to the wind and let them fly free. I feel unshackled …
Pat
great review & Q&A! I am only making my 3rd quilt at the moment. first & second actually had no borders, just hst on the first and I love it! my 2nd was a flannel rag quilt. thanks for the chance to win the Ebook!
I’ve just finished a baby quilt with no borders – it was fun!
I love these quilts and I’m soooo excited to purchase the book and go commando!
I have long considered myself a borderless quilter… so sure, I have definitely gone commando and I’m lovin’ every minute of it. Congrats on your book Julie!
I have “gone commando”! Mostly because I am new and kind of self taught and didn’t know I was supposed to add them to begin with. The same with sashing. When I saw other quilters using them and talking about them almost like they were required, I was like “uh-oh”! I am glad to see I don’t need to use them if I don’t want. Which usually I prefer not to.
I’m in the process of going borderless on my current project. This will be my first so I’m anxious to see the final product.
I’ve done one borderless quilt that I can think of off the top of my head. Eli’s Wheels from Moda Bake Shop. I love it. Time to do another borderless!
I haven’t skipped the borders yet! I saw the title of this book some time ago and have been waiting for it so I could learn more since I’m newer to quilting. Thanks for the chance!
Elizabeth
Lwghosts at yahoo dot com
I’ve just gone commando with my most recently finished (almost finished – I’m sewing the binding down) quilt. The postage stamp design goes all the way to the edge, though the blue and white polka dot material is a quite obvious edging. It made things much easier as even if I had wanted to add borders around it, I don’t have the same white material I used on the piecing.
I use Julie’s binding tutorial to get the mitred corners all nice and then the start/end of the binding pretty too.
As for this measuring out from the centre thing – never heard of it. Then again, I’m self taught and don’t mind if a quilt is a bit wonky – if I did, I’d never finish a single one! They seem to sit ok, though they are not always square.
I just finished a baby quilt last night that I wen t commando on.. I originally planned on borders but the vivid colors and pattern turned out so pretty that it didn’t need it.. Less work for me, I like that idea!
It all depends upon the quilt and the pattern. Maybe it depends upon how I feel at the time. Another reason for adding binding – just making the quilt fit the intentional bed or horror of horrors – running out of fabric. Thank you for the opportunity.
I love going commando – with my quilts, that is. I hate putting borders on and prefer the look of an edge-to-edge design. Thanks for the chance to win this awesome book!
I prefer quilts with out borders. They just make me happy that way.
I’m a beginning quilter and no border (or minimal border) has generally made more visual sense to me, though the quilt I’m currently working on will have a border. But to get to that bordering part I’d have to actually finish something, which is not happening any time soon as long as shiny new projects keep catching my eye!
The idea of all that measuring and cutting/sewing long lengths of fabric gives me the heebie jeebies, much prefer it in smaller, more manageable sized pieces, all the way out to the edge with some awesome binding to set everything off. One of the criteria for picking a pattern for my first quilt was “no borders!” and I love it. I’ve chosen a solid black binding to frame my white & rainbow solids checkerboard quilt, based on Snapshots from one of Elizabeth Hartman’s books.
I’ve gone borderless, and I like it. It looks a bit more modern to me in a lot of cases, and I find I’m more drawn to those patterns. I have also made quilts with borders (including one of Julie’s patterns, Carnival), or what’s essentially an extension of whatever neutral sashing that might have been between the blocks. The make up of the blocks may dictate more whether borders are called for or not (sashed blocks and a border make a bit more sense to me and blocks that are attached directly to each other seem to call for it less.)
I have not gone borderless on any of my bigger quilts, only on some minis. Does that still count? hehe.
Thank you for a great giveaway and a chance to win. Such beautiful quilts!
usairdoll(at)gmail(dot)com
My first quilt (and only so far) is borderless and I love it!! I think quilts without borders are amazing!!!
I love the look of borderless quilts and need to learn more binding techniques thanks for the opportunity
HI! THANKS FOR THE NEAT POST+GIVEAWAY!
I HAVE NOT MADE A BORDERLESS QUILT,BUT THINK I’LL TRY ONE!
HAPPY STITCHING!
I need this book! I love the look of these borderless quilts! I have done both and borderless is sure quicker.
I’ve only made one quilt without borders. It was nerve racking! LOL!
I made a king sized drunkards path for my son 2 years ago. I left off the borders, it was perfect!! I do use borders to make the quilt larger at times. You save money on fabric and quilting when you skip the border!!!
I sometimes use borders that are different sizes. Wider on the bottom, than the top, and narrower on the sides–Like framing a picture. Not a big fan of e-books–I like the feel of a book.
I love this book. hugs
All of my quilts so far have had borders on them.
I have made quilts without borders and enjoyed the process as well as the look. I think it’s great to have the option to think inside as well as outside the box or border as the case may be.
I haven’t gone commando yet, but the pictures in this book make it seem very appealing!
I’ve never gone “commando” because it felt too naughty! But Julie’s book gives me the inspiration to free myself of quilting conventions and go just for it!
Umm borderless??? Does this mean I have to actually finish one??? Guess it does, but so far I haven’t sorry but I am new to this even though I’m older than, well almost anyone I know in the quilting world so far. But I would really love this book and would treasure it and finish something.
I have just made Julie’s ‘Ballerina” pattern and I am quilting it now. The pattern is quick to do and the instructions are very clear.
Yes I have made quilts without borders and love it! One less thing to do and then onto another project!
I have gone Commando in most of the quilts I have made. I guess I am not a border person.
We are ALL quilters! I want to try All kinds of quilts. Don’t want to be pigeonholed into one type.
I have made a few quilts that were “commando”. I do really like it when the blocks seem to spill off the edge of a design. It’s also a good way to experiment with larger scale designs.
I have not had the freedom of going commando but this is so exciting! We can get ‘er done quicker!
Sometimes I do borders, sometimes I don’t – it all depends.
I have put borders on many of my quilts but I have also gone commando. I just designed one that just didn’t need a border, the design spoke for itself.
I have not yet gone “commando.” I plan on giving it a try.
Great book…
My two quilts I have made without borders and just love them. I also use the leftover fabric for a scrappy binding!
Hi…I make borderless quilts when I get lazy/anxious to finish a top…call me lazy but I do like the look! Lisa in Texas
I have not made a quilt without borders yet…. I love the look of no borders… will be trying one soon.
thanks.. nancy
I have gone commando but not often.
The first few quilts I made were either baby quilts or wall hangings and none of those had borders, so yep, I’ve gone commando a few times now. I’m so anxious to get a copy of Julie’s book because I don’t have any doubt it will be fabulous. I love her style in writing of her patterns or tutorials. They are always easily understood and she’s very quick to reply if I have any question no matter what it might be. I’m super thrilled for her with this book and her new ruler too.
I’ve definitely gone commando with my quilts a lot lately. I think I only use borders now if my quilt ends up too small and I need to add size!
Haven’t been that brave yet, but there is always hope.
Yes, I went commando on a string quilt and dollie quilts, and it looked just fine. I would like to learn how Julie plans for this with an ebook win!
Um, still working on finishing my first quilt, but when it’s done it won’t have borders.
Yes, I have made borderless quilts before, and I liked them! I think there sometimes is pressure to add borders to quilts because you’re “supposed to” but I don’t always agree. I have seen quilts that I thought should have stopped before borders were added. I guess it’s just a personal choice. I do know that I have yet to see a pattern of Julie’s that I have not loved! Thanks for the giveaway!
Am I the only one who immediately thinks of Joey Tribiani when you use the phrase “go commando”?
While I love borders as a place to showcase beautiful fabric in a big way, I have started to really evaluate my quilts to see if they need a border, and if the border needs to be even or could it be on two adjacent sides or consist of flying geese, or be unexpected in some way. Is that what you were asking?
Yes, Gone Commando, Disappearing 9 Patch.
Didn’t need borders for size and looked great without, actually made 5 with all the same fabrics for a few of the males in the family. Large blocks, they had a great scrappy look to them.
Good luck Julie and well done.
Thanks for the give away.
I usually use borders because I adore big prints but I have often “left them off” as well especially for kids/small quilts.
I usually add borders to my quilts, but I love how the borderless attracts your eye to the quilt itself. I’m on a mission to “go Comando” on my new quilt!
YES! If I could go commando all the time I would. I anxiously awaited the publication of Julie’s book for this very reason. I’ve left many a pieced top sitting for awhile w/0 the borders because I just don’t enjoy working w/ those long strips of fabric. I would rather make a pieced border any day!
I am not a commando kinda girl. But, I have kicked my commando loving man out of bed. And he has ended up on the couch , commando with one of my quilts. And I enjoyed that very much. {wink,wink}
I don’t think I’ve ever made a border free quilt, but after seeing a few pictures I might just try it with one I have in the planning stages.
I love the no border look. I’ve been quilting for years and am still learning and loving all the new ideas from the new quilters. Yay, no need for borders. Freedom!
Yes, I have gone border-less with quite a few quilts – and some were Scott’s patterns. I love it because often my quilt tops get hung up at the broder stage, so what better approach than no borders and therefore no UFO… Thanks for a chance!
I’ve not made a border free quilt before and honestly I’ve not thought about doing one until now! I’ve got several quilts I need to do by the end of this year and One of them will HAVE to be borderless! I can’t wait to get my hands on this book!
I have definately gone comando before…. when finishing a quilt.
I try to go commando, but I find that I like to have a border so that I can square up – being picky is not my character, but it is when I am quilting. I would love to go borderless.. thanks for the chance to win!
I used to make my quilts without borders, when I started making quilts. But somehow lost doing this. I think I should try it again (o: Love the look of it and all the attention that goes to the blocks.
I like them without boarders! I like the look of just the blocks and add the pop with the binding.
I have gone “commando” on many quilts, sometimes it just looks better. Thanks for the giveaway.
I have never made a quilt without and border. The border has always been my buffer to make the quilt the exact size I want it.
I have only done baby quilts without borders. Usually because I do the sew and flip method of finishing so I don’t have to put on a binding.
Yes, I have. And what I liked was how the scrappiness of the quilt did all the work to make it a success. It practically invented itself.
I haven’t made a border free quilt; but it is tempting, especially since so often the borders are often distracting or much larger I like. Thanks for the chance at your giveaway.
I have never gone commando with no borders – I have broken other rules but what you don’t know won’t hurt you. I love Julies new book and would love to learn how to go Commando….Pick me…….pick me,,,,,,,…….
Yes I have made quilts without borders. I love them. I’m working on one right now for a baby. I also think they look more modern without the borders.
Love Julie and love the look of her new book, never gone “commando” on quilt but it would be fun so I will have to try it.
I”m about half and half, some need borders to be as big as I want without making more blocks. Some are finished without borders and I think the binding choice is an integral part of the design.
I’m just finishing up a baby quilt with no borders. It just didn’t need anything more!
Nearly all of my quilts go commando — they look better without any borders to draw attention away from my designs. The binding is the only “border” they get.
LOL. I can’t read “gone commando” without chuckling. The answer is yes. I prefer making quilts border free.
Yes have gone commando with more than one of my quilts.
Not yet, but I’d love to try one! Thank you!
I’ve only “Gone Commando” 1 time, on my son’s very large Log Cabin baby quilt, it just looked finished. I love the idea of going borderless, I’ve never thought of it before. Only since Julies book and Blog Hop did I even realize my son’s quilt was borderless. ;-> Toni Anne
About half of my quilts were made without borders. Julie’s book looks great!
I have never gone commando. Just have not given it a thought, but after reading this and seeing the quilt examples I am going to give it a try!
I have made lap quilts without borders. Thanks
yes, one time I didn’t do any borders.
I think my borderless quilts are more than the ones with borders. I think mostly, I’m in a hurry and lazy. I’m more of a “quilt-in-a-day” gal. I gotta’ finish it before I run out of steam or distracted by the next project or… my work at home. You know, the family, the house, homeschooling… There are things more important than sewing. I think though that I would like to make a border quilt around a fun motif! That should be quick and simple!
I always put borders on my quilt.
Yes, I skip the borders OFTEN! But then I will make my binding a little wider to act *like* a border.
I have only made a few quilts and have only put a border on one! Thanks for the chance to win
Probably not…I tend to be more traditional…the only recent quilt I can think of that didn’t have borders was a sashiko wallhanging. But I’d consider it….
No borders, please. But… make those bindings pop!
YES, I HAVE GONE COMMANDO WITH MY QUILTS. I DID A MACHINE APPLIQUE KITTY CAT QUILT THAT WAS BORDERLESS. IT JUST DIDN’T NEED ONE. IT WAS ADORABLE.
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