To border or not to border
 

I made the top this weekend using 2 jelly rolls from Joann's they are smaller only 20 in each roll so I had to buy 2 at first I was going to,do a jelly roll,race but changed my mind then I thought do a friendship braid but ended up making these blocks and framed it In.brown, I bought some material to border it but not to sure if I like the color, so my question is should I NOT border it, use what I have or go looking for a better color material that I feel matches better.

I think it would look pretty in a print border. I agree, I don't think your initial choice is quite right. Pretty quilt top. Pretty colors.

You have so many options - a green border would completely change the quilt!

A border would be a great idea, maybe something with a mixture of browns. I think the material you have for the border is too light. My HO though. Let' see what others say.

I would put a border on it, but maybe in browns or greens ... love your idea of the strips. Really pretty quilt top.

if you have to use that blue, i'd suggest a much lighter inner border first. I'm sure it will end up looking great what ever you choose.

i think it looks fine without a border, if the finished size is ok for you. but i would bind it in the brown so that you don't lose the width off the outside sashing.

A border would look nice if you want one, but I agree the current material doesn't seem to be the right choice. If you want to keep it as it is (and that looks great too) I also think binding in the sashing brown would be the best choice. Great job!

If you have enough of the fabrics, a piano key border would be perfect.

I thought of that but I do not have enough material it was a jelly roll

I like it without a border!

This was my first thought too. Depends on what size you want.

How about a narrow border with the fabric you have in the picture, with the same width brown border and then brown binding?

I'm sure you'll get lots of choices...just because you asked!

Nan

I would add a border of either that pretty bright green or the light blue.

Very pretty top! I think the color choice is fine but I would go with a Print fabric if it were mine.

Don't shops sell coordinating fabrics when they have jelly rolls? The only jelly roll I ever purchased had coordinating fabrics and I bought some for the border for that quilt. I'd check on that. or....

Do you have any of the jelly roll strips left? You could do strips lengthwise for a border until you run out.
or....

You can leave it without a border if the size is okay with you.

I agree. Borders aren't always necessary. I started looking my DH's grandmother's quilts and none have a border. Look great!!!

I like your choice, it does go with some of the colors. I prefer borders, at least one. Finishes it off to me.

I think it would be pretty if you found some fabric like that brown paisley that you have in your blocks.

I like it as is. If you want a border I would use a brown paisley. Hugs

in my opinion it looks lovely the way it is. great work!

If you're in doubt, I wonder if you might not like it. Go try some other fabrics or a pieced border.

Take your quilt top back to Joann's and audition their fabrics to see which would work best. I think the border you have in the picture does not have the 'star power' it needs.

'As is' would be nice (bind in the same sash color), but if you want a border, I'd try to find a print that picks up most of the colors in your quilt - it would tie everything together. Nice quilt top!

Top row 2nd and 4th blocks, top strips. Something in a dark print like those would make a pretty border. I like your choice for the jelly roll.

Pretty quilt. I would add a boarder. Maybe a green.

I would add a border to match the backing of your quilt. This quilt is really pretty .

I think a large floral border would look great something with some lime green and blues.

Seems like a perfect time to go and audition fabric at JoAnn's. I would take the top you have and then take some fabric choices and put it on top of one at a time. If JoAnn's gives you grief, I would tell them your dilemma and that their fabric got you there, what would they do?! I think trying out the fabric under the top will give you a quick idea of what the best colors for borders might be.

Go with your instinct. In my opinion your border fabric doesn't work if you want a border, something darker would be better. Otherwise, it looks great the way it is.

If you can find more of that light fabric, it's in the top/left block between the two greens. Make a skinny border with that then a wide border in that brown to make it the size that you need. If it is already the size you need then I agree with QuiltnNan and bind it in the same brown.

I do think a print border would be much better. Perhaps a floral with coordinating colors.

I also think a brown paisley would set it off, but nice with out a border also

I agree, I think a piano key border would look great and be a ton of fun!

I had asked a while ago to border or not I just want to up date the final quilt I praticed my FMQ so it is a little uneven in my spirls but it got better as I went along

Patti - I really like the quilt - it looks great! I personally love borders because I think of them as a frame - so I would put a border on it. I would go simple and if you have enough of the brown, bind it with that.