The appeal for crazy quilts lies in the creativeness of the author. If you want sashes and borders, do so. Don't be governed by others opinions for your design. The most bizarre choices to one may be artsy to another. It may be more appropriate to stay in line with fabric content and then again it may look good with lime green satin or velvet. Your Mom is very fortunate with her 10 yr success. I am a 6 yr survivor of renal cell cancer with just one kidney. I feel blessed.