Stencil width to border ratio

[Pandabear]

Is there one? I'd like to use a stencil to quilt around the border of my current UFO. The border is about 4" wide. Is there some sort of rule about how wide your stencil should be? Although rule is the wrong word, I just can't think of another right now.

[Over40momma]

No rule that I know of....but I would think allowing a good quarter inch all around would be helpful (so you aren't hitting those seams where it attaches to the quilt). More experienced quilters could probably give you more accurate information.

[AlohaSandy]

I am glad you asked this question because I really would like to know also, getting ready to do Christmas quilts and wanted to do a boarder with a stencil on it. Mahalo

[Vonnie]

If it's an outer border, I would try to stay 1/2" away from edge so that when you sew your binding on, it won't cover up any of the quilting.

Wouldn't a 2" stencil work out just right?

Or, look at Leah Day's website for some neat ideas on quilting.

[Bubby]

I prefer my outside borders to be 1/2 to 3/4 the size of the block. If my blocks are10 inches, I would make the border 5 to 7 inches or so. When a block is small, borders that are too wide throws off the proportion of the quilt top....IMO. I don't care for skimpy borders, but I love some of the newer quilt designs that need no borders.