border dilemma
 

I am not thrilled with this border. I think it's because of the sharp contrast between the black and the sudden transition to the light on the arrows. I'm thinking about replacing it with a strip of two inch squares of the color fabrics with black on either side. All I have are dark colors in the quilt (I have no more of the light gray) and I'm concerned that they won't show up surrounded by black. I do want to keep the corner stones (mainly because it was very labor intensive to make them). Opinions?
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I agree. If it were me I think I would do the arrows all the way around. With the cornerstones as is.

I agree with bjchad or leave it as is.

I have no more of the light gray and can't get more. this is a challenge quilt and the rule is no adding fabrics.

I like the black. To me that 'sudden transition' makes the arrows pop. I vote for leaving it as is.

I also vote for leaving it as is. I really like your quilt.

I agree with PP (seems I do that a lot! Great minds think alike). To me the dark border changing to chevrons draws the eye to both the center and those fabulous cornerstones. What I would do to give it more continuity and flow is when you quilt it, quilt "ghost" chevrons of the exact same dimension as your pieced chevrons in the dark mottled black fabric. You could even get brave and quilt them in the colors of burgandy, blue, forest green purple.

I really like it the way it is but you could use the darker grey with the colors and then gradually use the black with the colors for your arrows. Sort of a "gradation" (I think that's the right word). Personally I wouldn't change a thing, it looks amazing!

I like the edgy quality that the black gives to your quilt. I think is is wonderful as it is. Have you thought about setting the quilt aside for a little while and then looking at it again to see if it still bothers you? Sometimes the things that bother me in a piece when I first finish it turn out to be things that I like the most about it when I've had time away from it and can see it with fresh eyes.

Rob

I really like that idea. I have thread in the right colors. Now if only I knew how to quilt the quilt itself. I'm limited because I do not do FMQ.

Unfortunately not enough of the dark gray, and the rule is no adding more of any fabric and no adding any different fabric.

I love your quilt!!!! It really is beautiful the way it is!!

Dina

I like it as is unless you extend the cornerstone arrows to meet the other arrows! Beautiful quilt!

Since you can't use anymore grey, just leave it as is. When a quilt is busy, I like something calming for my borders.

I actually like the arrows where they are except for the 1st one that is blue on grey/red on grey. it seems out of place with the others, even though the colors are from the quilt. I really like asymmetry so there you have it!

thanks to everyone for the comments and compliments. I'm going to leave it as is. I think I just needed some positive reinforcement. I was not looking forward to ripping out black thread on black fabric. Now to decide on the backing and how to quilt the main part of the quilt.

i agree... i looks good

have to agree with paperprincess -- looks fine!

I have found that Rob's technique works well for me, too. I used to obsess over this and that until I started walking away from the design wall for a few hours. When I return, I see the design with fresh eyes, same as Rob does, and I like it after all.

How about all black with the cornerstones?

I love it just as it is. Stop second guessing your design choices.

No more light grey. Do you have some of the medium grey? I would do a plain border of that. It would frame it up nicely.

I looked at the picture before I read your text and I thought...Wow! Something with more interest!

I agree with feline fanatic. That would be an eye popper and also provide a contrast for the center of the quilt.

I vote for leaving it as it is. The crispness of the black definitely halts the center design, but it makes your arrows pop. I think this is wonderful! Enjoy your creativity!

I like your arrangement of the Disappearing Hour Glass. I haven't seen that before. I think the ghost chevrons in those borders sounds like a winning idea. Make the thread stand out.

I like the border. I'd really just leave it as is...then when it's quilted...use a silver or gray thread...will tone down the black & really pop on the quilt.

I really like it as is also!

I like the black as it is. Great top.

My vote is to leave it as is!

What if you turned the arrows out from the cornerstones?

what feline fanatic said!! beautiful

I like it as is... the black is a good balance. The quilt would be pretty busy without it.

I would leave it as is and bind it with the red (burgundy) that is in the quilt.

Personally I like the black leading to those great cornerstones. I think if it were mine, I would just border it in the black and cornerstones.

What about moving the arrows down a bit and inserting a piece of black between the arrow and the cornerstone? Not large, maybe the size of one or maybe two of the arrows.

Looks fine as is, congrats on a good job

I like your idea of adding arrows all around, but the quilt as shown looks very good ... the border has an interesting element to the entire quilt.