First, with many different members come many different opinions. I happen to like the thin line of red with the grey background and then a red and then black border. Or, a red border and then a black, white and red stripe piano key border. Just my opinion. It is your quilt and it should be your decision. Good luck and I am looking forward to see what you decide.

I think they look nice together, but the contrast isn't there so there is no "pop" but you are the one who has to be happy with it. The fabrics all look nice together

Love the background fabric....not with the pieced black and white though. The styles don't compliment each other. Now that said, go with what speaks to you, winning quilts usually have something risky in them.

Sorry to say!!!! I agree with Annz I would use white. the Grey does not make it POP.

I also like the original gray background with the thin red binding around the blocks. I looks unique and contemporary.

I like it because it presents itself in a very muted and calm quilt

It depends on the effect you are looking for. The gray background gives a very soft, subtle look. If it were my quilt, I'd use hot pink or red as the background. Another person might use white. It's your quilt - what looks best to you??

Love how you incorporate the wedge on the ends for the bending look in the fabric. I like your quilt but believe you may be better with a totally contrasting bright like red or yellow. You could also go with a bright white or black. Black would give your quilt a floating illusion look.

I would use a white background so the colors would POP. With all of the many shades of white to black the back ground looks "dirty" rather than white. Keep the beautiful cut for another project. My opinion only. What a intersing way to use up all of those black and white scraps!

Seems like you need more punch to me also. Good luck!

I think the lovely stripes you have pieced are lost on the gray or off-white or whatever it is. I get the feeling that the stripes are a road to somewhere and I would like to see the side of the road in red or green or something vibrant to show off the road. I love the stripes and think you have a done a masterful job of piecing them, but unless you are building a road through a snow-scape, I fear they will be lost. froggyintexas

When you posted the picture on page 3 I think it was showing the red piping I think it looks fabulous on that gray background. It is subdued. The stripe background makes it appear brighter. Either would work but definitely do the red piping around your black and whites.

I think the red would be a better choice between these two options. I love the nice tubular work you have started here. Very fun. I personally would go for a turquoise background.

After reading through all of the posts just had to add my 2 cents. Using your red and cutting narrow biasis strips to applique around your other pieces will add interest to what you have done already, you might also vary it with the striped white and black; the gray background is just that the background that you are building on. I think your gut is already telling you what you want to do, go for it you are on the right track and the red background is just way too overwhelming.

I like it and your curves are way cool. I made a copy so I do not forget the curves.

Here is another 2 cents worth:) I like the little red strip and the gray back ground!! love your strips!!

This may be a little wild but how about red for the background. A reasonable red, not something so loud that it will take over the quilt. I love the design and the use of curves.

I agree with petpainter, let us know what you decide.

I know I suggested a red background earlier, but seeing it behind the road and what you're trying to do ( stay with back, grey, white for your show theme), i will say i like your thin red contour lines . I yhink a charcoal batik would be pretty background with a black/white/red thin border. Don't you just love all the mishmash of opinions??. Lol

Thanks everyone for the comments, still undecided but I didn't get to the LQS yesterday (sinus headache) so heading there shortly to test some background fabrics. I will be sure and let you all know what I choose to do. I did try a white background but it was just too stark for what I am looking for. Will take some more photos after the LQS visit and see what you think.

Love your strips. Can't wait to what you come up with. I'm sure it will be great.

I am not fond of the gray background. In the picture it seems to have a pinkish cast. You can't really trust the color gray. I really love the 'wonky' shapes of your strips.

Okay, back from the LQS and after pulling out lots of grays and whites, decided on these two fabrics. I really like the charcoal one the best and with the red trim, then a thin red border, charcoal border and bind in red maybe, what do you think? It will probably be quilted in straight long lines lengthwise through as I want the end result to be kind of modern.

Once again I really do appreciate all your comments and I do think I will make another smaller quilt using turqouise/aqua as a background, think it would look stunning too. But for this one, I want to stick with the red/white/black theme.

Oh my goodness, so many opinions. On my screen, the original background on your original photo came out sort of beige and I liked it very much. I think the black or red makes it look very modern and striking. That might be a look that you like. I thought the beige looking background looked very good with your black and white strips. I did think that a piece of red might look good in a couple of your stripe pieces, especially if you want to use red in a border. I think it would look good. However, I really do like your curved black and white pieces.
Verna

I like the original grey background best.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=rq0fiUgl-lk.
Was just looking at this today! I like the charcoal too. More dramatic.

I like the Charcoal but don't care for the red piping. What about replacing the end blocks on each strip with a red block? Your eye would follow the reds as they wound around the curves and the red would provide the pop of color.

Love the black and white fabrics and patterns but tend to agree the grey doesn't show them off. Need something splashier to show off the patterns and the curves. Good luck

I really really like it with the red edging. For the background I like the dark grey best.

You have it now, the fine red around the stripes and the charcoal background works beautifully together. You have contrast in value as well as colour. Perfect.

I really like the grey fabric and the designed of your quilt. Pleae post a picture of your finished quilt. .

There you go. The darker grey is a couple shades lighter than your black stripe and it is perfect, there is lots of bunch.

not at all crazy with the gray at all. love the black and white curves but the gray just doesn't make it pop

I agree the grey doesn't make it pop, but with the red I think it will pop and the grey background will be perfect. Then the black and whites will stand right out.

The punch I was talking about is the contrast between the values. A quilt in the black and grey field is not expected to pop out but on the contrary, it is meant to flow along and is very pleasing to the eye. It is like a work of art.

The grey background is not supposed to be equal to the actual design. It is meant to support the design. When I look at this quilt I see the black and white design and that is correct. Of course I am looking at it in an artistic view.

How about adding a hint of red by hand appliqueing your beautiful strips with red cotton and then add the same colored red border? I think this would then tie it all together and add a little bit of color to the main part of the quilt.

Good luck!

I posted earlier but seeing the pieces on the dark gray has changed my view. I'd go one of two ways. Monochromatic including the two borders. Or a thin red inner border or piping. The outer border within the monochromatic range. Not every quilt has to 'pop'. Actually this is a canvas like modern art. What is the artist trying to convey? What do they want the viewer to feel? Lynnie25, ask these questions and consider this input. You trust yourself and your quilt will come together for you.

Could you place some random strips of red (some very narrow others a bit wider between the black& white lines/curves, to give a pop and take the focus off so much grey, as well as some red in the border...really like the design though, regards Nannajen

I prefer the original way you have it over any other way...and a red skinny border would be perfect. I think it would be outstanding in a subtle yet modern way.

I like it. It blends nicely without over powering the pieced fabric.