I agree ... I would choose something in a golden tone to match the deer.

Here's a suggestion ... instead of two giant solid borders use a narrow inner border, then a pieced block border, then an outer border (or even another narrow border between the blocks and the outer border to frame the blocks). Then you can use a mix of the different fabrics you auditioned to make the blocks.

Since your borders are going to be so wide, why not do a checkerboard border or another pieced border? There are tons of ideas. LOVE the panel.

Maybe my computer is seeing different colors but it seems to me the panel has very little to no green in it. maybe a blue batik

I think I would use the wood grain as the smaller inside border and use one of the pine cone fabrics as the outer border.

I would go with the brown batik and then the green pine...but it is going to be beautiful, no matter which of these fabrics you select. You have some good options. You just need to audition each and see what really looks best to you. Your brother is going to be so pleased.

Dina

I like the last one also.

I looked at the panel and thought of the blue before looking at your samples. You could put in a faux border to highlight some area. If you stick with the dark borders will it make it a dark quilt without a splash of a light shade.