A textile edging is defined as a border when a plain or similar but not exactly comparable print or weave has been added onto, woven with, or printed alongside the main pattern (see printed border). A border can be subtle and inconspicuous,to make a simple and elegant finished edge or be dramatic and positive, designed to take the attention and lead the eye in – like a picture frame.
Borders can be used on one or all sides, on hems and headings to extend fabric size, to protect the edges, or to change the style and tenor.
Some examples:
* A geometric or floral border might be printed along one or both sides of a plain or printed fabric; it can either be used as is, or cut away and reapplied as you choose.
* An embroidered design might be stitched into a printed border–say gold threads running through a filigree or geometric printed edge.
* A woven cloth always has a tighter band at the edges for stability–the selvedge, which, depending on the weaver’s intention, may also be considered a distinctive border with one of two lines of contrasting coloured warps.
* A woven cloth might have the border at one or both sides changed to a different colour, a secondary pattern in the same colouring or in either a more limited or more colourful version of the main cloth.
* In knitted items, the ribbed or garter stitch cuffs, hems and hedges are in effect borders.
*A separate border can be added to the width, the length or all around any textile to extend its size.
*Added borders can be set on top of or behind the main cloth and appliquéd or top stitched into place, or they can be seamed and mitred so that the main piece is set into the border.
* A border can be subtle to extend the main design or in sharp contrast to change the whole feeling.
*To protect the main fabric, a border of faux suede or a harder wearing material may be added.
*For design and practical purpose, a white curtain may be given a taupe border or vice versa; a double border might even be added. Any colour and fabric will suffice, as long as they have the same make-up and properties.
*A deep border–for a hem, heading, some or all edges offers the chance to change the texture–say olive linen with olive suede, or silk with cotton twill.
*A border at the sides and heading must be of similar weight material, but can be heavier at the hem.
see frame