To get a similar effect, you could use what the Ozzies called a peeper or popper. It peeps out & it makes things pop.
Cut 1", iron in half, & place it between the 2 fabrics being sewn, - as if you were putting piping in, but this is larger & flat. Looks great. We did a bright quilt with black as one of the dominant colors, then the border had a black background, but, you know it, all blacks are not the same, so I put a red peeper in to separate them, - did the trick plus looked great.
I first saw this when I was there on vacation & went to my sister in laws guild.