Advice please!!
 

Okay, I am trying to finish up a UFO here and am at a crossroads. I plan to put a black border around the red and white "icecream cones" . Then I will put the dresdens around the quilt. Should I use a red/white or black background for the Dresden plates? I am thinking black might be the way to go. What do you think? Then I will probably put another border around that and finish it up with a piano key border. I'm open to any ideas.

I think the black would look very nice. This is a beautiful quilt.

Being as thee is more red in the dresdens than black, I would use either black or white. I am afraid that black would make it too dark (IMHO). Great job.

It's really pretty! Go with your gut...black will be great!

If your putting a small black border around the center, then I would use a white background for the Dresden's. I think they would really pop on white. Beautiful quilt!!

this would be too much black for me. maybe subtle print with a little black in it.

Could you lay the dresdens on a piece of black and a piece of white so we can see it? And what is this pattern, please? This is just beautiful and I like the dramatic effect with the red and blacks.

I agree that black might make it too dark, so my choice would be white, piano key, then black. Alternately, you could unsew and have half dresdens on either black or white. Looking great!

With putting a black border around the"cones", white would be the way I would go! It is beautiful so far.

this was my first thought, too

I would go with the black! Gorgeous quilt too.

I think black would be very dramatic. That's my choice. White would be my 2nd pick.

Personally I would use white for the Dresdens' background and I like your piano key border idea. I have to say your quilt took my breath away when I scrolled down. Hearts and Gizzards is one of my favorite patterns, and to see it in red and white...well, it's just so gorgeous! Please post another photo when it's done

I like the red and white by itself - without the black strips in it - because I love the movement of that pattern and the secondaries that develop in it and how my eye never stops moving.

I think that is one of those patterns that only needs a binding.


The red and black dresdens are very striking with that color combination - (so used to pastels!) - I would like to see them showcased by themselves.

I would use black for your dresdens, I love the way black makes colours pop, imho the black would be the most striking.

I love the way this is going! OIf you plan to start with a small black border before the Dresden blocks I would use white for backgrounds for the Dresden blocks... Then possibly another black small (frame) , then black,red and white for the piano keys border

The Red and White are quite stunning. I too would audition the white background for the border, take a photo then try the black, then compare. I think the white would look better too. Might even try the red??

Perhaps this will help you visualize it better.
I added a black border the size of the sashing and surrounded the Dresden's with white.

Jan in VA

Since your dresdens are mostly red and black, I think I'd use the white for the background. I'd put a thin line of black between the ice cream cones and the dresdens. Then, I'd use black for the final border. It's a very pretty quilt. It will be wonderful no matter which color choice you use.

.... just like Jan has pictured it. Sorry, Jan. I didn't see your post before I sent my comment.

Thanks for doing that Jan. I can only visualize in my mind. White was my first thought when I started the dresdens. But, the further I got, the starker the white got. I don't want too much white...... If I border it with black, then red, might be the way to go........ Oh!! decisions.... I'll get some different fabrics and take pictures for an audition.

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.

I'm thinking you might also want to audition a black on white print for the background, since you are wondering about too much white.

I personally would put the same narrow border that you used in the main quilt, the put the Dresden blocks on white with another narrow border of black, I think it would be very striking. It's a beautiful quilt.

i'd go with the black

I agree with wildyard. Your quilt is absolutely awesome. Anxious to see it when it's finished.

How about the Dresdens with black centers on white background?

My first thought is to take some black and lay it down like the border then lay your dresdens down on it then say on the opposite side do the same with a white. With out trying it I am inclined to think narrow black border like your sashing then the white with the dresdens on it since they do appear rather dark they should pop nicely then another narrow border of the black and then your piano key border. Will look forward to seeing what you decide on and your finished quilt.

I agree. I think the black would too dark.

Love that pattern. What is the name of it?

This was my thought, but I'm a beginner so I didn't feel confident enough to make this comment. I love all the parts but not all in one quilt.
Jeri

Love the quilt. I just can't wrap my head around black and ice cream cones. All our tastes are different and the quilt is stunning as is. Why do you need sashing?