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Skip The Borders Blog Tour Hurrah! It's my turn on Julie's blog tour and I'm thrilled! Julie's book, Skip the Borders is a gorgeous collection of fifteen quilts that... skip the borders. Am I the only one tickled by the title? Because I am :)

I've been flicking through the book and I've decided that I cannot pick a favourite. It's like picking your favourite child. (Well I have no children so it's like asking me which of my cats is my favourite. That's just wrong.) I've managed to only narrow them down to the following few...

Love. Love them all. Julie's got a beautiful way of designing with clean lines and the quilts turn out to graphic and lovely.

Julie's also sent along a few questions for me to answer, so here goes...

Q1: All of the quilts in Skip the Borders are... borderless! Do you skip borders on most of your quilts?
- I think my brain doesn't automatically add a border when designing a quilt, so I'm going to say that most of the time, I do skip borders. Occasionally, there'll be a quilt that just screams for a border, and I have to oblige.

Q2: 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?
- I taught myself to quilt through trial and error, and from lots of reading, so I never actually learned the rules. Which I'm actually thankful for, because then I've never limited myself to doing things a certain way. I have taken the time to learn proper sewing techniques though, but when it comes to design and colours, there are no rules in my book!

Q3: 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?
- Straight of grain 100% of the time. I have yet to do a quilt with curved edges, so until then, I probably will never feel the need to go the bias route.

And now to the good stuff! Julie and Martingale are offering one lucky winner a free eBook copy of Skip the Borders! All you have to do enter is answer any one of the above questions :) One entry per person. I'll pick a winner next Tuesday October 16th. Good luck!

Posted by Audrie at 6:57 AM Ellee said...

Most of the time I skip the borders. soparkaveataoldotcom

October 10, 2012 at 7:09 AM Amys Crafty Shenanigans said...

Super book - the more I see it the more I want it!! I do straight binding not bias only because I use scraps usually and they tend ot be leftover strips!! amycav at hotmail dot com

October 10, 2012 at 7:52 AM 
I've had my eye on this book for awhile now... love it! Most of the time i do skip the border. Thanks for the chance to win!

October 10, 2012 at 7:57 AM 
Lovely quilt choices! I too skip borders most of the time and yes, some quilts just would't be done without the borders. Thanks for the chance to win this neat book. Have a happy day!

October 10, 2012 at 8:05 AM 
I usually add borders but I just finished a top this week that is going borderless!

October 10, 2012 at 8:44 AM 
I've only done straight grain binding so far.. but I would love to try bias binding on a quilt with curved corners. :D


October 10, 2012 at 9:11 AM 
Most of the time I have borders, so it would be very interesting to read a book about leaving them out.

October 10, 2012 at 9:32 AM Beth J said...

I must admit, binding is least favorite part of quilting for me. It just seems to take forever to hand sew it on!! That being said, I have tried to do bias binding on the large quilts, but have been known to do straight grain on wall hangings and such.
 
I skip borders as often as possible. By the time I get to that point I usually can't wait to move on to the next project.

October 10, 2012 at 10:25 AM 
I definitely don't consider borders to be mandatory. Owning this book is mandatory, though! ;-)

October 10, 2012 at 10:40 AM 
I usually skip borders, unless the quilt needs to be bigger, or really needs them visually. I only straight bind my quilts. Seems easier. Thanks for the great give away!

October 10, 2012 at 10:46 AM BizyStitches said...

Q3. I use straight grain binding most all the time. THanks for being part of this fun hop.

October 10, 2012 at 10:53 AM 
Q1 ~ I didn't think I skipped the borders but looking at some of my quilts I see that I have! In fact I'm doing one now with out a border. There are so many lovely quilts in the book and, while I don't have a favorite, I really like the Stars and Stripes.

October 10, 2012 at 11:04 AM EmpressC said...

I dislike the border tags myself. but haven't given it much thought so I'd love to flip through this book for some inspiration!

I use straight binding most of the time but would opt for bias on curved quilts when I do start one. thanks for thr giveaway!

October 10, 2012 at 11:09 AM Jan in SoDak said...

I love this book - looked at it last time I was in a quilt shop and unfortunately it didn't go home with me.

Q3 - I use straight of grain binding most of the time, but I do like to use multiple fabrics in my binding.

October 10, 2012 at 11:11 AM Gina S. said...

I use straight and skip boarders.

October 10, 2012 at 11:24 AM Pontos da Flávia said...

well, I would say, I do borders if the quilt looks like needing one or it turned too small. And I user straight of grain binding! (I confess: I do not handsew my binding, all machine sewing...)

October 10, 2012 at 12:03 PM 
Q3: Straight grain binding all the way. :) Mainly because it's easier in the cutting process and I don't have to think about it.
Thanks for the giveaway! I'm sad I am missing out on Sewing Summit! What a bummer, especially since I live in SLC!! ;) Have fun!

October 10, 2012 at 12:25 PM 
Always straight grain binding! :) I hope you have the best time at Sewing Summit!

October 10, 2012 at 12:51 PM 
I'm just working on a table runner that uses bias binding. I love how that little bit of flex allows the binding to do angles so nicely. Thanks for sharing the book - I am so anxious to read it!

October 10, 2012 at 2:16 PM 
I don't usually skip borders, but sometimes they really aren't required.

October 10, 2012 at 2:58 PM Sarina said...

I usually use bias binding because I'm a sucker for diagonal striped bindings! However, I don't handstitch the binding down. All machine done here.

October 10, 2012 at 3:31 PM Susie Johnson said...

I have been seeing borderless quilts everywhere I look and I love them!

October 10, 2012 at 4:16 PM 
I've done mostly straight grain binding so far on my quilts. I still need to actually cut bias binding and use it before I can decide which I like best. The beginning quilt piecing class I took never taught a thing about bias binding at all which surprised me. That's really the biggest reason I took the class.

October 10, 2012 at 4:36 PM Grey Cat said...

Q3. Bias binding, every time. It's how I learned to make binding, and it's just second nature at this point.

October 10, 2012 at 5:12 PM Ben D said...

I rarely do borders, and I usually use bias binding.

October 10, 2012 at 5:13 PM Joan and Kevin said...

I have made most of my quilts with borders. Thanks for the giveaway!

October 10, 2012 at 6:15 PM Jeannie Gan said...

Straight of grain, always. Have FUN in Sewing Summit!!
jchiagan at yahoo dot com

October 10, 2012 at 6:37 PM Chancy said...

I definitely use straight grain binding.

chancyf (at) gmail (d0t) com
 Jamie Lee said...

I always always do straight grain binding...and I always machine sew it!

October 10, 2012 at 6:56 PM Heather A said...

I'm a newish quilter and have, so far, only tried straight binding. I want to try bias binding, though. I hope to soon.

October 10, 2012 at 7:08 PM Sallie said...

I love the look of a striped bias bindings, but I usually do straight grain bindings. Thanks for the great giveaway!

October 10, 2012 at 7:54 PM 
I have always used straight grain binding - bias intimidates me :-( Thanks for teh chance to win!

October 10, 2012 at 7:58 PM Amy Losordo said...

I use straight of grain since I do mostly small quilts. I'm interested in the book to learn more about better binding.
 
I love bias binding. I love cutting it, sewing it, pressing it, and wrapping it around a bit of cardstock until I can use it. And I LOVE attaching the binding (one of my favorite things about quilting)! But just cutting and making the bias binding makes me SO HAPPY.

October 10, 2012 at 9:11 PM 
I usually use borders and most of the time a straight grain binding
nridder at hurontel dot on dot ca

October 10, 2012 at 9:22 PM 
Always use straight of grain binding - easier and cheaper!! Love to win the book.

October 10, 2012 at 9:24 PM 
ooh, my first time seeing Square City **swoon** I use straight of grain binding!

October 10, 2012 at 9:30 PM tpott said...

I use straight of grain binding all the time, I'm loving hand sewing the binding down, finally. ;->

October 10, 2012 at 9:32 PM 
I use straight of grain binding.

October 10, 2012 at 9:35 PM 
I mostly use straight binding unless I want my stripes to be diagonal.

October 10, 2012 at 9:49 PM Ann in NC said...

I tend to think I "need" a border on quiltsooc. I need to realize/remember quilts don't always need a border.

October 10, 2012 at 10:57 PM Sandy D said...

I like to do the binding.I have only cut my binding on the bias 1 or 2 times and then it was on a runner. I find it is confusing to do it on the bias. Maybe when I do a curved edge on a quilt I will have to learn pretty quick.

October 10, 2012 at 11:05 PM 
love to win thanks
 Erin M. said...

I can't tell you how reassuring it has been to hear how many of the bloggers do straight grain binding instead of bias cut. Here I thought I was the "only" slacker out there who didn't want to take the time or use the fabric to make the bias binding.

Thanks for the giveaway. Julie's book looks great.

October 11, 2012 at 12:33 AM 
Oh, most definitely straight grain binding, but that is because I have a tendency to use stripes, and I like how they look wrapped around the edge of the quilt.

October 11, 2012 at 2:45 AM Jenny Larking said...

S far I have not made 5 quilts and they all have borders. Actually I enjoy doing the borders, although that may change. I don't hand sew but I challenge myself to make a neat border with my one and only embroidery stitch.

October 11, 2012 at 3:00 AM 
I sometimes skip borders, depending on what the quilt seems to need.

October 11, 2012 at 8:16 AM 
This looks a great book! I love the cover quilt!
I always use straight binding!

October 11, 2012 at 9:26 AM 
I haven't skipped borders before but I will soon. Thanks for permission. LOL

October 11, 2012 at 10:16 AM 
i skip borders on about half of my quilts. love these patterns

October 11, 2012 at 10:50 AM 
I cannot express how much I love the pictures and quilt ideas from this book! Since I'm a very new to quilting (just this year) I would say that although I've only tried straight-grain binding I love the look of a bias stripe.

October 11, 2012 at 11:01 AM 
¿hay reglas? Yo creo que hay maneras de hacer las cosas y lo divertido es probar las reglas y fuera de ellas.

October 11, 2012 at 1:38 PM Nana Jo said...

Sometimes I skip the borders and sometimes I don't. The quilt determines what it needs.

October 11, 2012 at 5:01 PM Deb Cline said...

My smaller quilts have borders but my larger quilts usually don't. And I like bias binding! I don't find it difficult to make and like the "give" it provides around corners.

October 11, 2012 at 5:11 PM 
I usually put borders on quilts...mayby I'm old fashioned but I like them. Love the book though!!

October 11, 2012 at 5:15 PM 
I'm fairly traditional and so usually finish my quilts by adding borders. I love all of Julie's quilts in her book. Hopefully reading her book will give me the confidence to try something different.

October 11, 2012 at 6:58 PM Mom2three said...

I have never skipped a border yet, but when I saw this book, I have been tempted and will try it soon. I can't wait to incorporate this into a quilt soon!

October 11, 2012 at 7:11 PM 
i would love to win thanks

October 11, 2012 at 7:35 PM 
I do not usually skip borders on my quilts, but am looking forward to trying it. I've just made a chevron quilt that I think would look fantastic without borders :-)

October 11, 2012 at 9:11 PM 
I've only done straight grain binding so far.

October 11, 2012 at 9:36 PM 
I've done both bordered and borderless quilts...prefer borderless! Much easier to quilt, and it's just such a neat and clean look. Thank you!

October 11, 2012 at 10:56 PM 
I prefer straight grain binding because I like to use striped binding and it just looks better with the stripes as right angles to the quilt.

October 11, 2012 at 11:45 PM 
I like the modern look of a borderless quilt, so I leave them off. Sometimes after adding a border I thought would look good, it wouldn't, so for me, borderless is the way to go. Cool book, thanks for the chance!
 
I don't skip the border but I would love to give it a try someday. :)

October 11, 2012 at 11:46 PM mary mahoo said...

I have always used bias binding on my work. I may have to try straight of grain someday soon. (And I love to "skip the borders" too. I'm a rebel!) Thanks for the chance to win.

October 12, 2012 at 1:21 AM Glenda in Florida said...

I NEED this book! I am so looking forward to reading that binding chapter, but I'll hold off on buying just in case I get lucky on the blog hop.
I use continuous bias binding--I think it wears better, and it does not take any more fabric that SOG. I've only used SOG binding twice that I can recall in almost 30 years of quilting--one in a beginner class for a donation project,where that is what we were instructed to do, and once when I was travelling and didn't have my directions with me for continuous bias binding. I regretted both of those times! I try to convert all of my friends and fellow guild members to the bias binding only club!

October 12, 2012 at 8:40 AM 
I've never had a need for a bias binding either. To be honest, it's totally intimidating. Hopefully this book will change that and I'll tackle it one day. Thanks for the chance to win!

October 12, 2012 at 1:07 PM 
I am loving the look of this book. I generally always put borders on my quilts, but I love the borderless look

October 12, 2012 at 3:41 PM Beth in TN said...

I break the rules all the time! I do the same thing with recipes. I don't want my quilts to look like anyone else's.

October 12, 2012 at 5:39 PM ritainalaska said...

i love the binding process, too! i use straight of grain for straight lines and bias for my smaller curvy pieces.

October 12, 2012 at 6:39 PM delwak said...

I tend to follow the rules in order to learn well. I do not quilt very much. but I like to know or see new things

October 13, 2012 at 3:33 AM 
I'd have to "finish" the quilts I work on to bind them-lol-but when I get to that point I always use straight of the grain binding-not always one colour but always straight of grain.

October 13, 2012 at 6:09 PM 
I have always done straight of grain binding but after reading some comments might like to try bias. Looks like an interesting book! Thanks for the opportunity to win.

October 14, 2012 at 9:52 AM 
Most of the time I do straight of the grain binding. I love this book!! :)

October 15, 2012 at 8:44 PM 
I use straight grain binding as a rule, thanks for the giveaway/.
 Jacklynn said...

I love the designs in this book - the quilts are beautiful without borders! I make my binding on the grain, hav never tried bias binding. Binding is the best part - it's the last step to a finished quilt! Thanks for the give away!

October 16, 2012 at 3:15 PM 
I have skipped boarders on some quilts. But i have only started that recently.

October 16, 2012 at 7:11 PM