Here are the links to a couple of my wall hangings.

The giant ornament doesn't have any border. I just used a dark red binding.

http://www.quiltingboard.com/picture...h-t208513.html

Little red bird has two borders all the way around but the outside border is the same as the background fabric so the inner border is the one that really frames it.

http://www.quiltingboard.com/picture...d-t217999.html

Another consideration is a tiny flange between the main part and the border. I did that on a wall hanging where the outer border fabric didn't really go with the center but I needed to use the border fabric. I don't have a pic of that one on here and it looks like I didn't post it either.

I haven't posted Cherry Blossoms either. It only has borders on two sides. It's here with me so I can take a pic of it later today.

Both are very nice! In your piece, Red Bird, is what I am thinking of doing with Stacy Zinnias. It won't look well alone unless I didn't make it bigger and I would like it bigger.

Thank you very much for sharing SQ. I am thinking there aren't many art quilt quilters here. But, I might have missed some threads. I was excited to see the Art Quilt Challanges.

I think in someway the border needs to add to the design, not just size, in an art quilt. It's not exactly like a border on a painting or photo.
Putting cream/light yellow borders on the top and left (with a 1/8-1/4" narrow band of green) would move the orange to the lower right thirds. Then extend the two purple flowers into the border so that the border isn't just 2 slabs of fabric

HUH??

Actually, this is getting interesting! :-)

Wouldn't more colors outside the frame take from the subject? I thought of dressing up the border(s), but I didn't want the eye drawn away from the zinnias.

I appreciate all of everyone's suggestions. They are most welcome!

I'd have to agree with Tracy. Her solution sounds like it needs a bit of a preview to be sure that is the right one that you will be happy with. But on the right track. That kind of border will enhance the center and balance the quilt. It will not take away from the zinnias. You want to have eye movement across the entire surface of the quilt to add interest. I just made the mistake of having a rather bold, vibrant center to a lap quilt and quieted the borders, too much. The center pops too much. That is the danger of a very plain border. Beautiful work you have done already. Please post the finished piece!

Thank you. I think once I get the small frame in, I will be able to envision what needs to come next. Hopefully!

My design wall consists of a plastic table cloth from the dollar store -- one that has the fleese on the back of it. I put 3M command strips up, big button holes in the table cloth and hang it where I want it. I have those command strips on a wall, on the top of a wall unit in my living room, and on a door. I can move them where it is convenient. It isn't very expensive and works for me.

how about a 2inch white border then a 1/2 purple or pink border then finish with the white again. about 2 to 3inches.

I like the idea of a small white border - maybe 1 inch and then a bind it in the green. I also think that petthefabric has a great idea of extending one or two of the zinnias just a bit in the bottom border.

That is a good idea. And simple. Thank you for sharing!