Sandy Jan has done a braid border before. She did it all the way to the end on two sides and the shorter sides just ran up to the border. She did not try to make it all wrap around. Wonder if she has a pic she can post of that on it was in another round robin swap she is in. It came out really pretty and it looks like it was supposed to be that way. I really liked it. so maybe yours can do the same thing just do the two short ends.. then the longer sides go straight down not matching the other sides.. just to the edge. it is a simple but pretty way to do things. and I hear you on the smaller rounds.. those I think are perfect for simpler projects. Also doing something all the way around isn't always necessary.. like what I did for twinrivers.. you can do partial strips of what you chose and then solid. or even like twinrivers did for tlambing, remember? it was more a solid strip which she appliqued something to. NOTE: if you applique something on make sure the person with the quilt top will be able to quilt that top around it. it sometimes is good to put those extras in a baggie and let the person know that things like buttons and etc should be attached after it is quilted. I know this as I did a doll quilt this weekend and beaded some areas on the top. Then I went to quilt it and the darn beads were in the way all the time, broke several of them.. argh! so just a thought. I am a zero quilt expert until well I do things like that. then the light comes on and well.. I was rebeading last night and not happy about it. argh!