You know I’ve made dozens of medallion quilts, and I’ve thought about this a lot. Each one I’ve made is different and has its own personality, so distilling down the differences into a rule set has taken a while. But here goes:
There is no need for fear, because you can’t fail. Have fun, experiment, try new things. Don’t stress about borders that don’t fit — add a piece or whack some off. Make it fit but flat. Let it show your spirit, your honest expression of yourself.
Catbird Quilt Studio 
Thanks so much for the detailed posts on medallion quilts! I am just starting my second quilt, using a leftover fussy-cut square from my first quilt, and while stumbling around the internet I discovered it has a name – it is a medallion quilt! Then I began wondering about what proportion the center square should be to the borders, and when I queried my trusty friend google, bingo, your site appeared! It was very helpful, especially the posts about proportion. I was pleased to learn that my instincts were about right. Thanks so much for the very helpful tips!
Thanks for commenting, Catharine! It’s moments like this I’m especially glad to share all this info. If you have questions, please feel free to email.
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Well, I made a medallion quilt years ago from a pattern. The quilt is now entitled “$@?! Cabin in a Square”, if that tells you anything. I learned why one measures across the middle of the quilt and then makes the next border that length rather than just following the directions and assuming the border will fit 😀
I’ve run myself into trouble too many times with mis-measuring for fit. EASY to do!
You make it sound so easy! But I also have a sense, from you, of the time and energy that goes into making an effective medallion quilt!
I’ve made them fast and I’ve made them slow. Often the most time-consuming part is deciding what to do next.
Medallion quilts are my favourite and I have made 2 in “sewalongs”, but I get too hung up on the proportions of the borders to design my own. I bought Gwen Marstons book, but found being “liberated” completely stopped me in my tracks. I guess I like rules 🙂
I now have a copy of Blocks, Borders, Quilts!: A Mix-And-Match Workbook for Designing Your Own Quilts, the “recipes” make me feel a bit more confident about designing my own.
It’s true the border proportions can be tricky. Having a blueprint like that book provides can help a lot. Have you made any with that book yet?
I was thinking about making a medallion quilt here a bit ago…may just have to set aside some time and make one.
I’d love to see what you do!