Thanks all....I'm actually thinking that I might end up doing the 1/4" away from the outside of each braid section. I'm going to do it in curves though, not straight lines since I'm doing it on my DSM. With the curve, I won't have to try to turn the quilt and won't have to use my walking foot. (I'm not good enough to do straight lines without it).
I think I agree with your gbquilter..going back to the KISS thought process.. LOL!