I like the shadow block idea. You can lay out a few and see how it strikes you

I like the black; I didn't think I would but it brings out the blocks.

In my opinion, the black sashing turns it too dark and takes out some of the funky. Of course, I've seldom if ever met a quilt that I think is too bright so I might not be the best person to discuss this. :D

I really like the black and since your going to use a walking foot you could do something with the black to set it off a bit, second choice would be picture #2 I like that color with it all. But just over all an excellent job you've done so far, I really like it!

It will be beautiful no matter how you choose to finish it!!! I'm in awe!!

When I first saw it, I thought never the black. I thought the wood floor behind it was very nice. But later when you posted the picture of the black sashing, I just said, "Wow". That is gorgeous! The pinwheels are accented, and the effect is stunning.

I would go with black with lots of different colored cornerstones.

Cheers, K

Ok, I have a color. I went at lunch and bought 3 yards...it isn't like anything we've discussed, but I like it alot. Bought enough so it can be a sashing strip too. I'll get pictures up when I get home from work!

Here's what I decided on...BettyGee called it with her suggestion of red. We tried everything and the purple in a lighter shade looked good too, but too feminine. The orangey colors made it look too Harley Davidson or Halloween. Tried various grays and greens...no spark, but I really like the red. Even though the solid black looked great, I just decided I didn't want to go there with a quilt that was going to see a lot of actual use. Got enough for sashing and I'll sash it with black too. and probably a small strip of one of the contrasting primaries.

Wow!! That pops!! I do love your guitar fabric. Do you know the manufacturer? or name of the line? I still have another guitar quilt to make and this would work in it really well.

I've had the fabric forages, but I did find a source:
https://www.4my3boyz.com/cotton-fabr...w#.U_SrVWOKSM8

That red print does work! Makes it very intense, very "hot"!

I think it's a very good choice for those blocks.

I laid out a mock up of what I have in mind...my first instinct is to use the yellow...but turquoise may be better once I have it all put together.

I think green would look great!

My daughter is a Middle School Band Director, so I've collected lots of music-themed fabric over the years.

Fabric.com has a ton of music themed fabric. I would try to find a black/white fabric with small musical notes on it for the sashing. Something that's not super busy and gives your eyes a place to rest between the pinwheels.

There are several on this page of Fabric.com that could work for you.

https://www.fabric.com/SearchResults...6046a5e&page=4

I've also got a gold on gold music fabric that I used for a sashing that worked out well. Not sure where I bought it. It had small musical notes, but being two shades of gold, it read as more of a solid gold from a distance. That was for a t-shirt quilt I made for my daughter's former high school band director. I would agree with others to avoid colors that are too similar to any of your existing blocks. That's why I would suggest a black/white, or a gold/gold, or even a red/black simple print that will complement your existing blocks without being distracting. For an outer border I'd use a nice black print. Good luck!

The yellow adds heat and sparkle as an accent in the border.

The turquoose might cool it down a little.

I'm in the process of cutting my strips now and will start to sew it together this weekend. Once I have the main section done, I'll play with the contrasting colors.

I really appreciate all of the suggestions and advice so far. I've taken away several good ideas for my next quilts. I absolutely LOVE the floating blocks, but to me, it works best with black as a shadow, so will use that for another time.

Here's the finished quilt: http://www.quiltingboard.com/picture...e-t253248.html