I think the hearts and gizzards is pattern enough for this top. Adding dresden and then piano keys would be way to busy, for me anyway... One striking design at a time......

The black would really make those dresdens pop

I see your dilemma. I agree with a couple of the others. I think a black border, same size as your sashing, then the dresdens on white. Follow it up with another small black border, then your piano keys in red, white, & that red/black print. Can't wait to see the final on this one. It's going to be gorgeous!

If you want the dresdon plates to standout I'd go with the white, to make them pop. The red or black will mute them more. Its very pretty.

small black border before dresden will b nice

I think the black so that the red and white pattern in the center stands on it's own without white around the edges. My initial thought was white, but I think the black and the dresdens would then make a striking border around the pop of red and white.

Black border around the ice cream cones....then white behind the dresdens. Good Work!

I think white. The black is distracting.

I tend to think that black would diminish the impact of the Dresden and so would go with white to make them stand out. You have an absolutely gorgeous quilt!

I'm in the white group also, with the black borders on both sides of the Dresden plates.