Help with border choices
 

I got the center of my Row by Row quilt (American Patchwork & Quilting February 2011) finished tonight but want to do my own borders. Not really...so I am asking for your opinions and ideas. I think it needs some kind of definition and I was thinking a tiny black border (perhaps 1/2 inch) around it and then add staggered blocks of similar floral prints around that in two rows and some kind of pastel binding. If you can think of something totally different, that is okay too. I am open for any suggestions. I won 't get to this for a couple months so take your time. :-)

Very pretty ~ but I'm no help!

I would use a narrow beige border (the same as used around each block) to frame and "connect" the blocks. After that you can audition a wide border in a darker color. A piano key border with mitered corners might work well too.

I like the above idea of a narrow beige (or whatever that yellowish color is) border. I'd then add a dark blue, wider border.

No help with borders from me, but I really do like the top you have shown us.

I Love your quilt. I don't have an opinion on the borders tho'. It is so pretty.

Not sure exactly what you mean by "staggered blocks", but I'm sure that will look good and keep with what you have already. I wouldn't go with black, either, but with the colour of your chain blocks (beige?).

Ok

I say a dark green small border... then some other color that you have lots of........... a little wider

piano keys? ...

I would go for a tiny dark border (maybe not black but one of the dark prints from the blocks). In fact, instead of a border, maybe I'd just go with a flange. Then I'd use the yellow-ish background color & then maybe the floral blocks you were talking about. As beautiful as the block are, I wouldn't get too crazy with the border so the blocks can really shine... they're fabulous!

I'm not a fan of black, so personally I steer away from it in quilts. I'd first border it with the cream/beige that's already in your quilt. Then one of the medium colors you have in your quilt and finally bind it with one of the darkest colors in your quilt. I usually think inside the box. I do love piano keys! Look at the quilt borders on the pink quilts...

http://www.quiltingboard.com/picture...e-t154848.html

No idea what i would use but it sure is a pretty quilt and looking forward to seeing the finished quilt

It's pretty! I would choose a narrow border and wider border, but I wouldn't do black. I'd keep with the darker tones in the quilt. I like to do darker inner border and binding and lighter outer borders. It really frames it up nice. I've seen some pastel borders, but they are not for me. :)

I like the idea of a narrow flange (like a 1" strip folded in half and sewn on with the fold to the center of the quilt top), then maybe a narrow border of the background color, and a wider border of one of the favortie colors in the blocks. I would not do any more blocks in the border. Like another lady said, your blocks are so nice in the top that you don't want to take away from those. And it would give you a space to do some neat quilting in that border. I would do that little flange in a darker color but not black....maybe navy blue or a darker green, or maybe even a brown. It will be a beautiful quilt. Hope to see it when it is done!

Its a beautiful quilt top - as for finishing it - I have to go with the lady who said to use the same cream color that is in the quilt creating the design in it - and then go with a coordinating color for the border; I don't think I'd use black or too dark a color - something soft like the colors in the quilt not to take away from the quilt top itself.

I agree.....some contrast would be nice in the border. I love those blocks!

Lots of good ideas here. Thanks everyone. I will do some auditioning from all your great ideas and see what catches my eye. Thanks everyone ..so much. Will give you an update when I get border done.

That is sooooo cool I just love it and not sure what I would do but can't wait to see the finished product :o)

I don't know what to suggest for the borders but I must say I love the quilt!

I like doghousemom's idea and I love what you've made! Be sure to show the final project!

I agree. I think you should stay with a simple border to draw your eye to the middle and let the border contain all the different colors. Just my opinion.

Thanks for showing us your quilt. It's beautiful. A narrow border of one of the darker fabrics in the quilt would go lovely, then a wider pastel border to finish off.

Just look at the color of the rug you have the quilt laid on. It is perfect. The beige stop strip and then something in that sade of blue. and a medium tone binding too, not light. I would make a scrap binding from the left over block fabrics. Cool quilt!
peace

I also think the first border should be the same color as the light blocks surrounding each larger block. I agree that a piano border using the fabrics from the center of the quilt would finish it nicely then bind it in a dark forest green to match the green blocks within the quilt. I love what you've done so far. Please be sure to show us your finished quilt. Thanks for sharing.

I would use the red dotted blend small 1 in border It would make all the fabrics pop but that's just my ideal

I think what you are thinking about might be the very thing to do with it,

Sandy your blocks are great. What size are they? Like others here I would like to see a small border in the background color then a darker color to anchor the quilt. I really like piano key borders, but if they are too large then they might take away from the quilt. Like what lollygagging said. How is it going to be backed? We all are waiting to see what you do. Thanks for sharing. BrendaK

Hi Brendak, There are no 'blocks' per se. It is all done in strips. The pieces, either square or rectangle are 2.5 inch width and then either 2.5; 6.5 or 10.5 in length. It was a bugger to get laid out until I got the hang of what went where but actually, it is very easy, just time consuming. My goal is to try and use up some of my stash. I had a whole pile of little sample pieces a quilt shop owner had given me. They were approx. 8 x 12" so not a lot to work with. But this was a good use for them. I have some pieces left so can incorporate them into the outer border somehow. Many of you say to use the same pale yellow for my first border as the common thread yellow squares. I thought that would make it blend into them too much. I will play with it though and audition some of the yellow along the edge to see what it looks like. Perhaps I will try a few different colors to and take and post some pics. Might as well have fun with it, right? Thanks for all your comments and suggestions.

It looks very pretty, but sorry am no good even with my own borders.

Love your quilt! I like your original idea. it will look really nice. Black or a darker colour border will frame your quilt nicely. I think that instead of the pastel binding I'd use the black or darker border you used before to finish it. I think that the tan border, though nice, will not define the quilt as much because the tan blocks will 'melt' with the border and into the quilt. It all depends on what sort of effect you are looking for. It is a gorgeous quilt! :thumbup:

Small dark green

I like the idea of a border of the yellowish fabric that you used in the body of the quilt, the same width as you had in the yellow blocks that 'sash' between each block. Then I'd cut wider piano keys of all the fabrics you used in the center to make longer lengths, attach to the sides and then cut a scalloped edging to soften all the angular edges in the center. Then it doesn't take away from the beautiful blocks. Wonderful quilt!

I would affix a narrow beige border (the same fabric framing each block), then another dark border the same width. I think you need to visually connect the beige "framing" then stop your eye with another narrow dark border BEFORE you audition a wider border of yet another fabric. Love the colors and layout!

How about NO border at all?
Just bind it with your "yellowish" fabric!
I've been seeing "no border" quilts a lot lately!
:)

beigh boarder then paino keys in all the colours

I really love this quilt. It is so soothing. But I don't think I would use black. If you can, use one of the fabrics in the quilt, then another border of the background fabric.

I'd do the narrow border in the sashing color, and then do the final border wider (maybe 4" or so?) in piano keys that are the same width as your fabric strips in the quilt. If you really want a nice finish I'd do a slight scallop on that final border to soften the quilt as there are so many lines (no curves) in the quilt. Your quilt is lovely!

Wow - just realized I commented on this quilt 2 1/2 months ago -- but am glad I'd do the same thing at least! I need a cup of tea...... : )

Its a beauty no matter which of the selections of border you choose