I like the quilt but think it could use a border around the blue to match the center background which would bring out all your blocks. I have made 2 quilts using up all my numerous fabrics in the quilt by cutting them into 3x5 strips and sewing them together lengthwise. Then I added my a border of my blocks background which was muslin and another border of the 3x5 strips. It was a little more trouble than the large 12 strip you are considering but both quilts were so effective. One quilt was plate in many shades of purple/greens with appliqued florals strips around 3 sides and the other was a very scrappy Dresden duplicated. I so enjoyed making these that I am considering doing another only using Christmas fabrics.