Originally Posted by
wesing
We have learned the same lesson, so we audition binding just like we would a border. We lay out a fairly long piece of binding fabric, then lay the trimmed quilt on top so only an inch or less shows. Sometimes the result is surprising, and we have to move to "plan B." At least it's a baby quilt, so you're not ripping a mile of stitches.
I do the same thing. I do want to use a fabric that is in the quilt, but it is amazing the different looks you can get with your borders & binding.
Before I add the borders, I make sure I know which fabric will be used for the binding. Sometimes, I have had to add a 1" "stop" border to get the fabric that looks the best into the quilt. I audition the borders and what I think will be the binding, one at a time, taking a picture with my iPhone each time. As I am doing the audition, I view the iPhone pic. If I like the look, I'm through with the audition. If I don't then I have to keep looking. Sometimes this process has even changed the borders. I'm lucky that I have a rather large stash and don't mind buying a new piece of fabric if nothing I have works. My friend says I work way too hard to get everything looking "just right". It bothers me if they don't.