Need help choosing sashing
 

I would love some opinions on which fabric to use as the sashing for a patriotic shadowbox quilt my son asked me to make. I can't decide between these two:

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Here's an idea of how they will look, without the shadows, which will be an almost-black mottled fabric:

[ATTACH=CONFIG]589170[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]589171[/ATTACH]

I think they both look cute for different reasons, and can't decide which to use. I asked my son his preference, and he left it up to me.

Your pictures really helped because looking at them on their own, I really like both. But, seeing them with the other fabric made an easy choice for me.... the dotted one. The stars look a little too busy for me when combined with the other fabrics.

I agree with marjben- I really like the stars but I think they are too busy with all those other fabrics (although I am a 'less is more' kind of gal)

this was my first thought about it also... you want the shadows to show well

I vote for the dots.

I vote for the dots as well for the same reason....less distracting I think.

Dots. They don't compete with your focus fabrics.

my vote is for the dots.

The pieces stand out better with the light one.

I like the star print a lot, but I'm with everyone else. The dots are best for this particular project.

I am on the Stars side. Because this is for a guy and guys seem to like the understated, I vote for the stars. The stars just shout "GUY" to me. The dots look much more feminine and soft. That's probably why all the women voting like the dots. "smile"

i happen to like the stars better. makes the other fabrics look so much better. not so stark!

I really like the stars best too. :)

The stars look more lively to me, the dots a little bland. (you did ask :D )

I'd go with the dots

I vote for the lighter one with dots. The stars seem a little too busy when you put the fabrics on but before I saw the second picture I would have picked the stars. Please share with us when you decide.

Both fabrics are really cool. The stars make me think more "scrappy" and the dots more "organized". I'm into the scrappy look right now so I would choose the stars!

I like the navy stars - top left. No reason, just do!

I agree!

I agree

To me, the dot is too white/bright. My eye is drawn to it and I have to fight in order to look at the larger rectangles. The stars appear less bright, and my eye goes immediately to the larger rectangles. I don't find the stars too busy (but then, I like busy).

Is half of you background on your quilt the dots and the other half the stars? If that is the case, I would use the dots on the star side and the stars on the dot side. Does this make sense?

I would totally use the stars, just goes with it. Up to you, your quilt your way.

I agree with the first post but do love the stars. Do what you want. OR ask your son which he prefers.

The stars are too much. Way too busy. I even find the dots a bit much. If it were mine, I would try a white on white.

I think you want the prints to stand out against your 'shadows' so the tiny dots will let that show more. There will be less things competing for the eyes. Do you have enough stars to do the backing? Or even combining with large blocks of solid blue and red squares?

It's a hard choice because they would both work well, but I think I'd pick the stars.

I'd say ask your son. A lot of guys don't like dots but he might say the stars are too busy. Or he might like the stars because they are patriotic. Or he might ask if there's a third option. My first choice was the dots because the stars were too busy (would make a great backing, though) yet the dots all over a quilt are something my eyes can't handle, even though I love polka dots. Do you have a solid or tone-on-tone choice?

I like the stars, I think once you get the 'shadows' in, it will be a good balance. Very fun quilt for a guy!

Dots, love the stars but seems but seems a little too busy, just lan opinion.

I like klswift's idea a lot. To me the stars are too busy and compete with your blocks. The dots work better, or paoberle's idea of white on white is also a good choice. I think I have seen white on white stars, but may not be available now.

At this stage I like the stars best. Your color blocks are so strong and drenched in color that the dots to me fade away while the stars have the strength to match the blocks. However, when you add the shadow, that might totally change the look.

Thanks to everyone for all the great opinions and advice. I really looked at both choices in new ways because of what was shared here.

In the end, I chose to go with the stars for two reasons. First, and most important, is that I am attaching this to one of the first quilts I ever made for him, whose front is in tatters, but the backing and batting are still in decent shape. He told me it is his favorite quilt, and that he loves taking it for camping, picnics and bonfires. So I thought the stars fabric would hide stains and dirt better.

Secondly, for purely selfish reasons, I felt the little dots would be much easier to use as a background for one of my scrappy quilts. :)

Anyhow, here is a pic of the top,minus the borders.

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Thank you again to everyone who so kindly took the time to respond!

That looks great!!!!!! I didn't respond only because I couldn't decide and that would have been no help to you! :)

Excellent finish! :)

i know it's a little busy but I like the stars. The dots are too white (sure wish i could think of a better way to describe it!)

The quilt turned out gorgeous. The boxes seem to dance on the star material. I know one young guy who is going to love it.

I prefer the dots. The stars are too big and I think they will take away from others.