tessagin

It depends on the look you're after.

MissSongbird

Honestly I just put my ruler up to the edge of the quilt and move it around to different widths. Usually one width stand out among them all.

Kitsie

I use a dimension that reflects of some of the pieces on the main part. eg: if using 2" (finished) pieces, go with a border that is 1", 2" or 4". Seems to please the eye.

Barb in Louisiana

There have been some interesting and very valid answers here. As in almost anything quilting, it comes down to personal choice and what the fabric looks like. I like the smaller "stop" borders, then a wider outer border, sometimes another two or three more borders. Sometimes, a piano key border that includes all the fabrics from the blocks. It just comes down to whatever you want it to look like and how big you want the final quilt to be.

Why don't you post some pictures and let us help you pick out what seems pleasing to us?

cathyvv

You wrote exactly what I was going to write. Mostly it's a gut decision, but sometimes it depends on how much fabric is available for the borders!

Boston1954

I nearly always eyeball the top to see if the quilt is "telling" me how much to put. I like it to frame up the pattern nicely, but not overpower it.

patinpoconos

Jinny Beyer has a formula.....golden rule. Check her website.

Feathers-N-Fur

I make the center however I want, then lay it on the bed and measure how long I want it to go down. Then divide that measurement into 2 or 3 borders.

AZ Jane

https://www.jinnybeyer.com/blog/the-...-golden-ratio/

She was right, my eyes did glaze over!! LOL

TexasTillie

My eyes glazed over too !!! lol