I made 4 braid strips. Approx. 90" x 7" when finished. I want to put a small strip to frame them on each side. They will be 10" wide. I want to use them as 4 strips, with 3 areas between (clear as mud?). But what to put between? Each section will need to be about 18" wide.

Recipient wants a totally scrappy look. It needs to end up as a queen size. I don't really want to make more of these strips, although they are fun, they get boring.

And- what color strip to separate- I was thinking of black.

Also- a pic of my 2 small totes of scraps. I had fun pulling pieces out and making only 1 fabric chunk per strip. I didn't put a dent at all in the totes. I sorted triangles and squares into ziploc bags and whites and blacks separately for another quilt.

KEEP IT UP! LOOKS GREAT!

I see a lot of blue in the pieces so blue would be a good stripe IMHO. The stripy ones are one of my favorites and a great way I've seen them finished is with vines and scrappy flowers appliqued to the center stripes.

Lookin good!

Love it! I think the black would be striking. Or, because I'm partial to red I think I might like that as well.

Looks good!
Can't help ya with what to do with it........sowwy......

I think a cream or the light blue would be good.

Black or a dark blue, Or 3 different dark blues, one for each strip? and then maybe multi-colored/varigated thread for the quilting on them?

Black or blue would look great, whatever you decide would look good as you have done a fantastic job already. Your scrap collection is brilliant....I love scraps.

Thay are pretty Why put anything in the middle it looks good as a braded quilt top!

I vote for using blue.........that's what pops out to me when I look at it!

I think blue would be great.

I could see a dark mottled red or a dark mottled blue. I think one of those would keep it with the warm, fun feeling I'm getting from your braids. I think black would be too stark and wouldn't compliment the braids as much. JMHO

I love it, thats what Im goning to try but yous look so much more better then the one I got off the inter net

Why put strips. I like it just the way it is.

I might leave it without the strips. I think it looks stunning as is, with them braiding into each other. You could do piano keys or something as a big border around the whole thing

I love the look you've created and would sew these borders together....if you put a strip between each, the quilt will look "stripey" whereas now they blend so well. Then, why don't you do something different along the edges? I don't know what, but I'm certain someone on this board can help.They all seem so knowledgeable.

so sorry wrong discussion

This is really nice! I love the look of all the braiding. I would sew all the braiding together so the braiding is the main focus and put a nice border around it to frame it out for the top of the bed (maybe with some appliquing) and then so something different from the top down. Here's my thought. I see that's its already the length, have you thought about cutting it down to fit as a top and use the remainder for matching shams and pillows on the bed? Would be stunning.

It needs to fit a queen size bed. This bed is a double. It took me 3 days to do 4 strips. Maybe I should just keep going and make it all strips. Not like I don't have the scraps!

I would ask the person what her favorite color is or what color would co-ordinate with here bedroom. but right now I vote BLue

I agree with those that said blue but I would go with a darker blue that would make the lighter colors in the braid POP. I think black would be too dark.

It's beautiful! Make sure you post a picture of the finished quilt so we can see what you decided.

Cindy

Love, love, love it. Is there a pattern name. Would love to make one for me!

I have to agree with Mad ... blue between the braids, maybe a patterned fabric if you don't want to do applique.

It's a variation of French Braid. This is simply "braid", I think.

Oooo...it's pretty!

Do you have to use just one fabric for the strips between the braids? Have you tried using 3 different colors or 3 shades of one color, maybe a dark for the center strip and medium for the two outside strips, then a light of the same color for the first border?

I would lay the strips out and put different fabrics between them to "audition" them.

Ok, Barbm, did I get this right? You want an 18" strip down the center of the bed top, flanked by two of the braids that will have framing strips to get to 10" and then 2 more 18" strips on each side of the bed top with the last two braids as overhang? Please confirm...I'm thinkin' that most don't realize that the braids are not goin to be the true focus of the quilt...the wider sections will be the visual impact once this quilt is on the bed...at least that's the way I'm "seeing" it.
But, if you make one more braid and center with a braid then the braid will take center stage visually and you'll reduce the size of the open sections.... great place for some quilting!

I think black would look great, but think I would put it down the sides also to give it a finished look. And I agree, piano key border would be stunning.

i actually like the black idea for sashings. they wanted scrappy so i wouldn't pick up colors in the pieces you've done.
looks great so far.

I made one of these for myself, my pattern was called Pioneer Braid; used cream for the strips and am very satisfied with it. For the side borders I made strips using about 12-15" of a braid strip then a cream strip, but a piano key would look good also.

I'm with Bobbinwinder. Wide divider strips would take away from the focus on the braids. How about a 4-5 inch wide floral stripe fabric, if you have that? That would act as a good divider and outer border, and bring it all together. Plus it would give you at least 16 to 20 inches more width to get to your queen size. Maybe adding one more braid chain would help too.
Barb

this is a great idea, and use NAVY solid to go between each strip. Beautiful!!

Wow! I love it. I'd audition a couple of candidates for border strips (blue or black) and maybe go without.

so many ideas! I was thinking thinking black, but the navy would pick up a lot of the colors. Another strip would help to keep the middle smaller, thereby keeping the focus balanced.

OK- back to the drawing board, need to put my thinking cap on.....

P.S. Hubby now wants a lap quilt with braids. We will see how I feel about that when I'm done with this one.

Another braid, making it 5 braids (besides using up more scraps) would balance the distribution of the colorful mixture, and then set it off with narrow sashing between the braid panels to showcase the uniqueness of each panel. A border of the same sashing fabric would tie it all together.

What about doing the color strips to separate the braids and then appliqueing some flowers and vines on the strips to keep with the scrappy look?

Kyia

I like this pattern..where can I find it. Did you do it on a muslin base. blue will be pretty for sashing.

I agree. Love the braids along with a border.