The snowmen are adorable and the current sashing is a bit busy. I loved bkay's idea of a black with white dot or a tiny black and white check. I am enthralled with Bree's ability to add the extra colors: the flange looks great, as does the polka dot white and gray fabric. The red border with black and white binding looks fantastic. I'm not sure that the (2 inch?) current sashing would end up showing very well if it were cut in half. I calculate that it would end up being about ¾ of an inch finished. I also agree with QuiltE that there may be issues with the original donor if she were absolutely devoted to the fabric. Is there a way that you can find out how strongly she feels about it? If she's amenable to change, you could still use the current sashes on the back with maybe a fence row pattern with the red and white that Bree showed. That may be more work than you had planned, but it would cut own the amount of backing fabric that you'd need.