Border suggestions?
 

I just finished these 9 blocks of a puzzle quilt. I am very pleased with it so far. It has 8 different colors of bandana print. (The blue and purple look the same in the picture though.)

I am trying to decide if it is too busy on the eyes. I could break the blocks up with a solid color sashing. Just thought of that. It certainly is colorful though!

But I really was wondering... ahead of myself, I know...what I might want for borders. I usually go with a smaller inner border and larger outer border. I have enough fabric of each color for an inner border and I have enough of the purple and the red for an outer border. All fabrics are still available yet too, so I could always buy some more.

Or maybe a solid colored border would look good?

Now, I know I need to just play around a bit, but I won't get back to this until Sunday, after our local Quilt Show, and I would appreciate different ideas that could play around in my head until I get back to it. What would you do for an inner and outer border?

Thanks for any of your thoughts!

Dina

I would use a "denim-like" sashing and border with a multi-color binding (using your prints).

I really like your quilt top.

I think your quilt is lovely. I would choose one print and do a narrow border in a solid color and then do a wider plain border. Maybe even in white (assuming that is the color in your prints). Show us when you're done!

I would do white sashing and plain borders, maybe a 2", 3" and 4" or something like that. The blocks are busy enough. I really like them.

Cari

Does it have to have a border? I find I am more intrigued lately by quilts without borders.

Although I usually opt for no sashing and no borders, if it were mine I would do a very narrow solid black sashing and inner boarder, then the purple bandana print outer border. Will be very cute whatever you decide!!

I like the denim idea of my-ty. It would really keep with the theme. Cute quilt.

Thanks for the suggestions. All good ideas! I'll post when I decide what to do...and have done it!

Dina

Cute quilt! I have always wondered what one would look like in multi bandana colors. Good job! I like the idea of denim like fabric. It fits.

Separate the blocks on your design board to simulate white sashing and see if you like the look. Lay pieces of various fabrics along the edges to simulate boarders and again see if you like the look. Take photos and compare them. You are the artist, so create what you like.

Hi Dina. The quilt came out great with all your kerchiefs. I am not sure what you have as far as fabric but I would use the darkest kerchief fabric you have. I always seem to like framing my quilts with a dark value fabric. Good Luck !!

What you have on the floor looks good to me - the white picks up the white in the bandanas- and the wood look seems appropriate

I only put a border on if the quilt top needs to be a little bigger. I like the no border look and if you can I would make it without one. If it needs it I would use more of the red bandana fabric.

Love the denim idea whether you use it for sashing or for a border . Can't wait to see it done! :)

I like the denim Idea

Is there a pattern for this. Looking at all the different shapes it looks hard. I would love to try it though with all the stash I have.

It is quite pretty just as it is.

I am not sure there is a published pattern. I attended a workshop years ago, and the instructor just told us how to do it. It should be fairly easy to duplicate though. It is made with 9 fat quarters, though I just bought fabric and "made" fat quarters.

Create a "pattern"...I just taped computer paper together until I had it the size I wanted. In this case, I started with a piece 15 inches wide and 17 inches deep. Then I drew lines, dividing it however I wanted. I made 9 pieces, because I had 9 different fabrics. I also wanted the pieces sort of diagonal-like. I stacked the 9 fat quarters on top of each other, put the pattern on top, and cut the lines. I then shuffled the pieces and sewed them together. There is a lot that needs to be trimmed off, or at least there was the way I sew. I did sort of chain stitch....sewing two pieces from each block together....only nine times. Ideally I think each block should have 9 different colors. That doesn't matter so much to me, as you can tell by looking.

I haven't trimmed these blocks yet, but I think the final size will be something like 13 x 15.

This probably is too confusing to be any help. I have seen a quilt like this in a quilt shop too, though it had much smaller blocks and probably wasn't started with fat quarters.

Dina

Thanks, Joellyn, that is currently what I am leaning towards. Thanks also for the compliment. I have delayed starting this quilt because I couldn't decide for sure what fabric to use....I have two bandana colors I didn't use...but finally I just dove into it. :)

Dina

I just love it just like it is. It is definitely not too busy. I wouldn't sash it. I'm no help with a border either, but I wouldn't sash it.

I love your quilt top just the way it is, and without sashing. I think the colors blend perfectly. As for a border, I like the idea of something denim blue as in the color of the darker blue in the blocks. A second border from one of the fabrics in he quilt would be pretty too.iii

Can't wait to see what you decide on. Lovely quilt by the way.

Your quilt is amazing! I made a similar quilt using Christmas fabrics and put sashing between the blocks. I don't care for it too much, but too lazy to remove the sashing. The instructions say to use the remaining fabric to make the border. I do like my-ty's suggestion of using denim-like fabric, but for the border, then use a multi-color for the binding. It will be a striking finish.

vey nice. I agree with the idea of a small solid border to stop your eye and then a larger border. I like it as is, but it would also be nice with a sashing. You have really given yourself a lot of options! This is a quilt that I would consider who it is for and go with their favorite color. If you don't have anyone in mind, then go with your favorite. A yellow or red border is going to make a statement where as a blue or green is just going to frame it. Definitely audition fabrics for a couple days and see what one keeps drawing you back.

I would do white sashing, a white border, and multicolor binding using your remaining material.

Since you didn't use much of the red in the blocks, I find my eye wanting more of it, so I would border with the red. I would turn the blocks with the red on the outside so it is on an inside area so it doesn't run into the border.

Light or dark chambray would work kind of like bandana and denim...

What ever you use your quilt is beautiful Were the little pieces hard to sew together???
Keep quilting.

eunice

No, mainly because they weren't too little. I think the smallest is a triangle with to seven inch sides and one four inch side.

Dina

I love these blocks! Not sure about sashing....I'd have to audition some fabric to see. I kind of like them as they are, next to one another. As for borders, I'd go with a solid narrow inner border, maybe in that turquoise or yellow, and the red bandana print as the outer. But with these fabrics and choices, I don't think you can go wrong, whatever you decide to do. This is going to look great!

Thanks again for the compliments and good ideas. I will certainly post a picture after our quilt show is over and I get the decision made as to what I want to do next. Lots to think about. :)

Dina

I agree with this idea. These are beautiful blocks.