Orphan Blocks... Now What?
 

I had some orphan blocks that I put together with the idea of making a baby quilt for charity with them. After I put it together I thought this could be the center medallion of a big quilt, but I don't have a good idea of what to put around it.

Turn it on point? Put on-point blocks around it to make it bigger? What blocks/borders to use?

I got nothin'

What would you suggest?

This is such a gorgeous block, I sure could not help you. Someone else will be on here to help you.

I have no suggestions either, but I think this is beautiful!!!

It is beautiful! How large is this portion?

how big is it at this point?

It's 36" square.

This is stunning! The only vision I have is WOW with the block on point. You really don't want any distractions with this block.

I think it would look great on point with wide stripes as setting triangles.

How large a quilt do you have in mind? I like your idea of setting it on point and adding corners. Do you have any more of the existing fabrics? What you have so far is gorgeous, by the way. How about making a scaled-down version of your current block (or modified maybe?) and add one in each corner.

Just my thoughts - - -

How large are you wanting to go?


Looks great!
I'm an on-point person, so will agree with you on that!

What I would do now would be to slap it onto my design wall and start playing.
Or lay it on a bed, as that let's you lay yardages out easy to get a sense of what might work (or not!).
Another way is to take your photo and start doodling with it as to the possibilities.

My first thoughts are for a bit more white, maybe just an inch or two of border/sashing
to let your medallion float before adding anything else.

Have fun ... I love the crisp fresh look of it right now!

I dunno... I guess as small as a couch quilt up to a double-bed quilt. I think anything smaller would look out of scale. I wonder if it would look modern if I just added white fabric?

I have quite a bit more of some of the fabrics, but not all.

That's beautiful. If you google "patriotic medallion quilts" you might get some ideas from there.

Which do you like better... onpoint or squared?

If I had made that block I would frame it and hang it on a wall for everyone to see! :D

on point, with 4 large white tringles, and a red pieced border . . . . ah that is just what I would do, your quilt you do it your way, beautiful so far, keep us posted as to what you do. . . .

That is beautiful, good luck in your decision

Ooooh, I thought I liked it square, but it's absolutely stunning on point! I think I agree you'd want it to be the focus, so placing it in additional surrounding white (triangles) sounds like a good start.

On-point is really beautiful. You mentioned a charity quilt. This would be a beautiful Veterans' Charity Quilt. Perhaps put it on point and the squares could be the blue you already have or white. Just a thought from a beginner.

I love it on point! Such a beautiful block.

Beautiful block! I would replicate the red scrappy triangle border and echo that around it (with some thickness of white sashing between). ....I dont know what i would do after that, though. :-/

i really like the on point... thanks for posting the comparison

So gorgeous and i love the dimensions you've created with various tones of red.

To me it says "wall hanging" and I would do it on point, with only white triangles, and a navy binding.

Another one for the on point camp here! Your block is beautiful. I also like the idea of just using white setting triangles.

On point. Gorgeous white in corners

Depending on how big you want to go and how much fabric you have left--how about a narrow white border and then repeat the triangle border you have already used? Sort of an echo effect.
I'd say your orphan's certainly found their family. These blocks went together so nicely for a beautiful piece!

I like on point.

How about a 2 inch (finished) frame of black. That would give you a 40 inch square baby quilt and a simple finish waiting for you beautiful quilting. Or a narrow sash of the red dot then the black frame.

I love it on point also! Gorgeous work. Do you have a pattern name or is this something you made up as you went along?

Beautiful block. I love them both but on-point gets my vote.

No pattern... I was just putting orphan blocks together.

Beautiful! I like it on point also, although my suggestion works better if it is not on point. As this quilt is made from orphan blocks, what if you made several borders using different pieced border styles. A quilt with a medallion center, and many different borders is on my bucket list. Mainly because I want to try a bunch of different pieced borders that I haven't been able to try or haven't found the right quilt to use them in.

Beautifully done!

Thank you for posting both on-point and "ordinary" views.

What a difference rotating it makes!

Beautiful block and it looks amazing when you lay it on point. Maybe some white to frame it?? I really don't have any good suggestions but the members on this board are terrific in giving ideas and advice and it always helps me out. Good luck on your decision

On point!!

Wow...that's so pretty!
I've seen lots of medallion quilt centers with several borders added to make them larger.
Here are a few ideas:

https://duckduckgo.com/?q=medallion+...ges&iax=images


I did notice that most of these are not on point. But the ones that are sure look good too.

love it on-point, can't wait to see how you finish it - it is just beautiful as is.

Please post when you've made your decision. It is stunning and definitely a point of interest. Good luck