Skip the Borders Blog Tour: Giveaway Closed - The Jolly Jabber Quilting Blog

Skip the Borders Blog Tour: Giveaway Closed

We are happy and honored to be a part of Julie Herman’s Skip the Borders Blog Book Tour. Julie is a talented and profilic quilter. I can’t wait for her to write a book featuring her Hex n More ruler (hint, hint).

Skip the Borders is a great book for both beginning and experienced quilters. The patterns range in difficulty and are perfect for showcasing a variety of fabric. And if you need the quilt to be larger just add a border!

Julie’s brilliant introduction includes a detailed explanation of backing and binding. She makes quilt backs fun and exciting, showing several examples of how to make backings using leftover fabric from the quilt top and how to sew labels into your backing.

The introduction also has a focus on binding. Julie is the binding queen, guiding us through the ins and outs of binding. She encourages you to get creative with your binding by using the various techniques and playing with prints.

The first section of the book shows “one-block quilts.” These patterns are great for both beginners and experienced quilters. Julie uses exciting prints and color to make each block shine.

The “two-block quilts” section focuses on quilts with two different block designs in the layout.

The third section of the book features “Outside-the-Block Quilts” which are fresh and unique. I cannot wait to make the Framed Coins quilt!

Now for a little Q&A.

Julie: All of the quilts in Skip the Borders are borderless! Do you skip borders on most of your quilts?
Kimberly: I add borders to all of my quilts. I love the finished edging of a border even if it is a skinny 2” border. My favorite quilts in the book are Box of Chocolates and White Stars! I plan to make both of these and to just add a 2” border to them! That is what is so great about this book, you can always add borders if you want!

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?
Kimberly: I stick to most quilting rules since I am an “in the box” type of person. However, I never prewash and I use a ton of steam and even more starch when making my quilts. I starch when I first iron my fabrics and I starch the blocks every time I go to the ironing board. Sometimes my blocks feel like cardboard when I am done. But I love the stiffness of the block. When the quilt is quilted you can’t tell that I even used starch.

Julie: It’s no secret that I love binding! In Skip the Borders I included an entire chapter on binding. So the million dollar question, is do you use bias or straight of grain most of the time?
Kimberly: I always use straight binding and I cut my bindings at 2.5” for lap size quilts and 2” for crib sized quilts. I am not patient and bias binding is a little too tricky for the speed I like to achieve.

Lucky for all of our Jolly Jabber readers, we are giving away an e-book of Skip the Borders. The giveaway is now closed and Sherry B is our lucky winner. Thanks for playing! 

223 comments

  1. I always add a border or two or three. However, I like quilts without borders, too. Especially after seeing the front of your book.

  2. I've made two quilts without a border, and they turned out great! I would love this book, I'm always game for trying out new patterns!!!

  3. Once upon a time I was an "always a border/s" quiltmaker but now I have learned that "skipping" can be fun. Traditional blocks need borders but the open modern look can just end wherever it wants to.

    Linda

  4. I have left some quilts borderless and love them but I NEED this book for that entire chapter on binding…my least favorite part of the process.

  5. Sometimes I use borders, sometimes I don't…..I like both. However, I would love to win the book for more information on binding and some new patterns. I especially love the coin quilt with the frames around them.

  6. It depends on the quilt. Sometimes I leave the border off, change it, or add a border or two. I use the pattern as a starting point, but make whatever alterations necessary to fulfill my vision of what the quilt should be. Thanks for the giveaway! raybanfandango at hotmail dot com

  7. If the pattern I am making calls for a border I will put a border on. I love the look of a quilt with no border and have made one. I plan on doing more after seeing the quilts in this book.

  8. I've never skipped the borders, as I've only made one quilt, which is still getting quilted! I've heard more complaints about the borders than any other part of the quilt. This borderless quilt idea sounds fantastic!

  9. Sometime I put on borders, sometimes not. I do think that a border often is like a matted picture, it just adds an extra something. Would love to have a copy of this book.

  10. Thinking about my quilts that are either done or in progress, I'd say I have skipped the borders about 100% of the time! That's not to say I would never do a quilt with borders, just haven't yet!

  11. I think Borders are sometimes needed to bring a quilt together… sometimes borders are overdone and distract from the quilt design too.
    I usually add a border… but I really like this book.

  12. For me it depends on the size of the quilt! If I accidentally ended up with a square, then borders get added to top-and-bottom for length. If I don't think I'll be able to fit the quilt through my machine if it's any bigger, then definitely no borders, lol! 🙂 Thanks for the chance to win!

  13. I am usually doing a two border system on my quilts, a small inner frame and then a larger outer….I may have to give skipping them a try on my next project though

  14. well since I've only made 2 quilts so far & both were borderless, I guess I am a no borders quilter! however, the one I am currently working on will have borders! I will try anything once! can't wait to get this book if I don't win the ebook!

  15. I do usually add borders but I think that's because I usually do exactly what the pattern tells me like a geek! The quilt I'm working on right now doesn't have borders because I was having a rebellious moment whilst planning it and decided to do an extra row of blocks instead. This book looks fabulous!

  16. I almost always add borders. I don't know why… I guess it just has that feeling of the frame around a picture. Finished. But maybe I'll give it a try without.

  17. I used to do borders on every quilt. The last several have been without. I can't wait to check out this book to get some new ideas! Thanks for the giveaway!

  18. What cool quilts! White Stars caught my attention immediately and now I want to make one! As for borders, sometimes I do, sometimes I don't!

  19. It depends how you define a border. None of my larger quilts has a traditional border, but some extend the negative space or repeat the sashing in a border-like construction.

  20. I've made both – But, I really like borderless quilts….in most of my quilts the border is waving so badly that it's embarrassing. Thanks for the chance to win!

  21. I think I do usually include borders, so it would be fun to try some patterns that don't have any. Thanks for the chance! I love Julie's style!

  22. So far in the baby quilts I've made they have all been done without borders. They were done with a lot of machine embroidery on them.

  23. So far my quilts have had borders, but I love all the creative ideas in Julie's book! I don't know which of her quilts I would make first–they're all so gorgeous!

  24. I've only made one quilt and one table runner and the quilt I skipped the border, but the table runner had one. I think I like more designs without borders though, seems a little more modern to me.

  25. I was in a shop in Ft. Worth this week and saw the book and THREE of the quilts! Beautiful! I would love to have this ebook and prop up my iPad next to my sewing table soon. I'm not a huge fan of boarders but something to achieve the size I want, I will add a border. 🙂

    Jill

  26. I've made a bunch of quilts and I've never thought to Skip the boarders! I think that could be a lot of fun! Definitely something to add to my list of things to try 🙂

  27. I am working on a quilt right now that has no border and I didn't even think about it until I read this post. Julie's book looks like a great book with lots of useful information and great quilts.

  28. As others have said, it really depends on the quilt. Thanks for the chance to win a copy. This book looks amazing and I love Julie's quilts.

  29. I love the idea that books are now being published flat up in electronic form!!
    I am holding out to buy an e-copy if I dont win one (hint, hint)!

  30. yes, i skip borders, but it depends on the quilt pattern. if the size is o.k. without, that's fine, no border. but, it really depends on how it would look without a border, whether or not the binding would finish it off. thanx for the chance to win this great patterns book.

  31. It really depends on the quilt but I've made a lot of baby quilts as gifts this year and the majority of them were "skip the border"; looks like a great book; thanks for chance! (EMAIL: marshudson at comcast dot net)

  32. I have been doing mostly quilts with borders, but I just completed Julie's "Ballerina" pattern, without borders, and I love the way it came out.

  33. I have always put borderd on my quilts, I like the way it frames my work. However, I'm always willing to try something new and love the look of the quilts in this book. Thanks for the chance to win:-)

  34. I usually put a border on because I like to do some hand quilting in it. But I love the look of the borderless quilts and I'm sure I'll be trying it out. Would love to have a copy of this book so am crossing my fingers my number comes up!

  35. I have always done borders. I do love Julie's book and the idea of skipping the borders. Her quilts are so neat, tidy, and sleek. Great idea, Julie.

    Have a super great sewing and stitching day!

  36. My first quilt is in the planning stage, I'm not intending to use a border! All I am missing is a little confidence before I can get started! I love the look of this book, all the quilts look gorgeous 🙂

  37. Once I wanted to leave out the borders and the "quilt police" pressured me into adding a border. If I had your book I could reference it when arguing against adding a border. 🙂

  38. I have done only one quilt where I have skipped the borders, and I am now going to do more! The borders always fret me out–do I have enough fabric, what width should I make them, what color, etc, etc. This looks really liberating & exciting. Thanks for the sweet giveaway to help make this easier!

  39. The last two quilts were without borders, but the one I am working on now has one border. I haven't made many that have more than one border, though. It depends on the pattern what I think it needs!

    Sandy A

  40. Oh wow, I love the Framed Coins quilt!

    I have yet to make a quilt with borders, but that will end soon, as one of my two WIPs has a border. We'll see if it converts me or not. 😉

  41. What a neat book! I have only been quilting for a year. I always do exactly as the directions state, so I have never skipped a border. May I add I do NOT like putting borders on!!! They are hard for me for some reason.

  42. Cool and ebook! This one looks dandy. I usually do a border, but they are often pieced, so its a different kind of finish. Thanks for the giveaway.

  43. This looks like such a fab book. I don't usually skip the borders but Julie is so inspirational, I am going to have to start!

  44. I usually add borders, but these quilts look nice without borders. So it would be nice read whole book and try couple or more. Annaleena

  45. I would LOVE to win this book! I am a newbie quilter and so far have only made quilts with borders. I am determined to try Julie's no border idea!

  46. Oh what a wonderful book.
    Im new and Ive only made 4 quilts so far. And they all have borders.
    Thanks for a chance to win and a chance to expand my "borders"

  47. Siempre es bueno conocer una nueva forma de hacer las cosas, me encantaria probar y conocer mas acerca de esto, muchas gracias por compartir esta informacion en este excelente libro.

    Saludos desde Chile

    Odette

  48. I skip borders most of the time. I usually only add borders if I am tired of making the blocks, and want to make the quilt bigger without adding more rows. 🙂

  49. I've skipped borders on occasion, but not always.
    I've been following the blog tour of Skip the Borders and this book looks like a great one ~ I especially like the White Stars quilt!
    thanks for the giveaway!

  50. I usually don't do borders. I thought I was a border person until you asked this question, and I thought back over the quilts I've made and realized that only two of them have ever had borders 🙂

  51. well, only my second quilt, made about 15 years ago. was borderless. it had lots of planes on it, for my husband, who was learning to fly at the time.. BUT i should do more .. would love this book to get back into it! The sample quilts are my style, too

  52. I like borders when they are part of the design but never add them just to make it bigger, sand never add HUGE borders for that same reason…I have been making more borderless quilts than bordered lately tho. I love what I have seen of this book! Can't wait to use my new ruler…TIA! B-)

  53. A lot of my UFO projects are due to the borders!!! I get the middle part done…and when I get to the border (which to me isn't as much fun), I lose my momentum!! I need to give myself 'permission' to not worry about a border and just add the binding!!! Now bindings….I love them! 🙂
    Keeping my fingers crossed because it is such a great give away! 🙂

  54. I most always use borders, since I love a BIG quilt and it adds inches in an easy way, while framing the design. Thanks for the giveaway.

  55. Yea!! Permission to always put a border on. I would love to have the book — such a great give away.

    Ruby

  56. Borders have always driven me crazy. Most of my art bleeds off the edge…so why shouldn't my quilts? Hope to win your book to enhance my future quilts without borders!!!

  57. I am a add the border type of gal but my ideas are evolving so this would be something new to try:)
    I am a big Julie fan and have a few of her older patterns just not had the time to make them yet:( Story of our lives:)
    Thanks for offering this book!

  58. I have always thought that borders somehow 'finish' the quilt, BUT after seeing some of the wonderful patterns in this book, I may become a believer in "Skip the Borders".

  59. Never thought about that. Just a few of my quilts have borders. for the most part they don't have one, because they didn't need one. judy's book and blog make me think about that. I would like to give a try in future in a more thoughtful way.
    Katia

  60. Julie Herman is sooo talented. When you look at these borderless quilts, the borders are not even missed. I love the look of just seeing the pattern of the blocks and all the motion they create without bumping into a wall. I will start planning one of thesesoon. Thanks for the give-away.

    kprescott68@yahoo.com

  61. her quilts are so striking! love her use of color! Would love the freedom of not ptuting borders on quilts….looks like a great book!

  62. I can't say that I've made enough quilts to say if I have a rule about skipping the borders but I know I WANT to! I don't like feeling like I have to but I don't want to ruin blocks that would look better framed with a border.

    Thanks for the chance!
    elizabeth
    lwghosts at yahoo dot com

  63. I'm probably 50-50 on adding borders or not. Sometimes the frame that a border adds feels right, but quilts don't always need that added visual element. I've loved seeing the borderless quilts being featured in the blog tour and would love to win a copy of the book.

  64. Such gorgeous quilts in Julie's book. I have made quilts where I have skipped the borders. I usually wait and see what the quilt tells me when I get to that point. When I first started quilting, I'd buy all my fabric at once. I no longer buy border fabric early because more than once I've gotten to that point and either the fabric I picked doesn't work or it looks better without one.

    Thank you for a great giveaway and a chance to win a super book.

    usairdoll(at)gmail(dot)com

  65. I'm excited for a chance to win a copy of this book because I like the more modern patterns and always struggle with how to finish them off! This book will be just what I need!

  66. I usually add borders to my quilts and I always use straIght of grain blinding. I'm a binding freak and love the entire binding process. Thank you for the chance to win the book.

  67. Sometimes I do, sometimes I don't. I like having a place to show off a long stretch of gorgeous fabric. It really depends on the quilt's personality.

  68. I have only done a few non-border quilts and they were for babies. They had cotton on the top and flannel on the bottom. Love the book – neat ideas.

  69. I usually do borders, but I'd love to try skipping the borders. There are some great looking quilts in this book! Thanks for the chance to win!!

  70. Only 1 time have I skipped the border on a quilt, it looked finished. Now I want to make a planned borderless quilt, maybe a Christmas quilt. ;-> Toni Anne

  71. I tend to do borders if the pattern calls for it but love the contemporary feel of a quilt without borders. Thanks for a chance to win the e-book!

  72. I like to skip the borders but I will add them if I need a quilt to be a bit bigger and I don't feel like making more blocks. Thanks for the chance to win.

  73. I usually add borders, but after seeing this book, I will definitely be skipping the borders.
    Thanks for the chance to win!

    wigglypup2(at)yahoo(dot)com

  74. Definately going to try skipping the borders some time. Usually I don't because I use the borders to help make the quilt bigger.

  75. I have never skipped the borders! But I am embracing the modern quilt movement and want to try new things. Thank you for this chance to win!

  76. I love this book, I want to do the one on the cover, and Dot Dot Dash. I am attracted to the simplistic freshness of Julie's quilts, her great tutorials and can't wait to use my new hex-n-more from Fat Quarter Shop!
    TIA! B-)

  77. In the past, most of my traditional quilts were bordered. But over the last few months as I have jumped back into quilting, it is the modern, borderless quilts that I prefer! And lots of bold colors! this books looks fantastic! Hugs, Cathy K

  78. So far I have always put borders on, but after seeing some examples, I think I will try it.
    Would love to have the e-book.

    Thanks

  79. Most the time I use borders, and have skipped borders too (my first quilt). Usually it depends on whether I have enough fabric and the size of the quilt (too big or too little requiring an adjustment). I would love to learn from Julie's book as admire her quilt designs.

  80. Most the time I use borders, and have skipped borders too (my first quilt). Usually it depends on whether I have enough fabric and the size of the quilt (too big or too little requiring an adjustment). I would love to learn from Julie's book as admire her quilt designs.