That's gonna be a toughie to find a good color to use for a border that doesn't actually look added. Since there is a piece of white already sticking out--it doesn't work, does it? At first I thought about a creamy muslin but maybe not. Toward the bottom of the picture there is a nice green in some of that. If you can find that, it might be a nice compliment to the piece. Your local quilt shop may have what they call feedsack fabrics that could compliment this one but it really needs a "stopper" border first. Isn't it fun to find someone else's work to finish and consider the one who did it? Look how well she matched seams! Great find.

How about a blue chambray fabric, washed and dried several times, for a border? Or look for a "broken-in" cotton sheet at the thrift store.

Cool pattern!!

Good luck it seems like you've been offered many good suggestions... I just want to add that it is a great scrappy and lucky you for finding it.

I agree with you that I love it! My opinion is just quilt and bind. Thanks for sharing and know you will love it when completed. Karen

Great find! Be sure and share a picture when you complete.

What a wonderful find for you. I have done many scrap & strip quilts. I don't add borders, just quilt & bind. I use a predominant color from the quilt for the binding but if it is really scrappy, I will use a red or blue. I find those colors tie things together. Good luck. Waiting to see finished quilt. K

I'm with cjsews. I think a black border will be too harsh since the fabrics are kind of muted. Some of the blocks have a little gray in them and I think that would be a perfect border with maybe a creamy colored thin flange to stop the eye on the edges. The quilt is lovely just as it is, and if you could find some old house dresses to add blocks would be a way to make it larger. Shop around, maybe just the fabric is right around the corner waiting to be found. Good luck. I'm glad you were able to rescue the quilt.
Sue

Just for kicks I'd probably run a few scraps of newer fabric through a load of laundry I'm bleaching anyway and see if that fades it enough to add in. If not, oh well.

I think I'd use a narrow dark brown(1 1/2") patterned border and tea-dyed muslin for a narrow binding.

What a wonderful find!

I like cheery, old quilts. I would match the bright red in the quilt and do a small border and binding with that. I would not add more blocks.