Medallion Quilt-Along – Border 1 – Square in a Square

Alrighty… Are you ready? Here we go! The first border…

First of all, I have to apologize. I inadvertently lied in the comments where I said that I would like to keep the look of the first border. Without any further thought to said comment, I sat down to do the cutting and sewing and before I realized what I was doing, the first border was done and stitched to my center block… and NOT like the picture of the antique quilt.

If you noticed that the end blocks in the first border were cut in half, you can still create this effect in your own borders… if you want. Just make 4 extra blocks – 1 for each side – and cut the ends off. Don’t forget to include the 1/4-inch seam allowance. You will cut off 1-inch from each end. As for my first border… I’m leaving it as it is. I guess that’s what makes it uniquely mine, eh?

This border isn’t put together in the same way as the picture. We can try that method a little later on. The reason I chose this method is because I think it may be a little bit easier for beginner quilters.

The First Border - Square in a Square – Finished block size is 2-inches

1. Cut 24 – 2 1/2″ x 2 1/2″ squares from darker fabric for the center of the block and 96 – 1 1/2″ x 1 1/2″ squares from lighter fabric for the corners of the block.

2. Mark the diagonal line with a pencil in every 1 1/2″ small corner square. With right sides together, place a small corner square in the corner of the 2 1/2″ larger square. Sew on the marked line. Trim away the corner, leaving a 1/4″ seam allowance. This is often referred to as the stitch and flip method.

3. Press the seams open to reduce bulk.

4. Make all 24 “Square in a Square” blocks.

5. For the corner “Half-Square Triangle” blocks in the border, cut 2 – 3″ squares from a lighter fabric, and 2 – 3″ squares from a darker fabric. Mark the diagonal line with a pencil in every lighter square. Placing right sides together, pair up a lighter 3″ square and a darker 3″ square. Sew 1/4″ from the diagonal mark on each side.

6. Cut the Square in half and press.

7. Trim the square to 2 1/2″ making sure that the diagonal seam is centered.

8. Sew together 6 “Square in a Square” blocks to create a border strip for each side of the Center Block. Sew a border strip to two of the opposite sides and press the seam towards the center.

If you want to recreate the look in the original quilt with the end blocks cut in half, make an extra block for each side and sew 7 together to create a border strip. Trim the strips to 12 1/2″ or 1/4″ past the center of each of the end blocks. Then sew to the strips to the Center Block. Obviously, I forgot about this when I was making my border!

9. Sew the “Half Square Triangle” blocks to the ends of the 2 remaining border strips. Press the seams of those two blocks towards the outside. This will cause the joining seams of the borders to oppose one another and lay more flat.

10. Sew the two remaining border strips to the Center block and press well. Your finished quilt size (including seam allowances) after this first border should be approximately 16 1/2″ x 16 1/2″.

Yay! You have just finished the first border of this amazing antique quilt. Good job! Give yourself a pat on the back and celebrate.