I'd do black batting too, if the black batting shows too much where the ivory triangles are, I'd use fusible interfacing to keep them from being transparent and still use the black batting.

Is it sound? not rippy can you stick your finger through it? I personally know of two quilts that was done with a PURE black was almost a dry rot was told because needs to go through so many dye processes that it literally detoriates the material one made a whole new "top" and quilted it over the holey top: the other was a sampler each block had the black she tore apart and made little wall hangings . I would curl up with your new best friend the RIPPER and replace black with a darker tan/brown not black the ripper was my friend last week check out my post I should of noticed..

I agree with PurplePassion.

If you're going to put the effort into finishing it, you might as well fix the problem for good.

The investment of time and fabric would be well worth it rather than repairing it later.

Good luck.

Is it all cotton or a poly blend? Sometimes poly blends are thinner, but they seem to hold up well a lot of the time.

If you still have some scraps of the black, make a potholder-size sample quilt sandwich and run it through the washer/dryer every time you do a load of laundry, and see if it holds up over several washes. If it does, go with the black batting. If it doesn't, then you'll have a lot of ripping to do.

I haven't decided on a back yet. I would be glad for suggestions for that as well. As you can see my experience is rather nil.....

Thanks, everyone, for all the suggestions!! I knew I could depend on you all for some good solutions.

I believe it is a polyblend. It seems somewhat substantial in spite of its flimsy, see-through appearance.

I would totally take that fabric out. It's not as much work as you might think (I've done it before!) & is so worth it in the long run. Get a better quality of black fabric because I agree with the others that this fabric will not hold up long along with all the hard work you have put into it. Good luck & may he love it forever!

I would take it apart. Ask me how I know this :roll: :-P I had some old fabric that I thought was pretty. Even though I knew that I shouldn't use it I did. It has completely worn away - it's a well worn quilt that has been washed a lot. Fortunately it was a scrap quilt and I only used the fabric in one small square. Now it needs to be patched.

once batting and backing are added that will probably not be so apparent..but you could just add (fuse to the back) some black to add strength. it is beautiful...finish it up!

Take it apart. You will not regret it. You have put off this activity because it fills your mind with regret; the necessity of admitting your error. Now, in the most womanly way, ya gotta "man up" to your responsibility; conquer that regret! Push forward with determination! Onward, soldier! You can do it!