Quilting with black thread?

I know exactly what you mean! This happens to me all the time, and I have to say that the quilt recipients (whose requests I was trying to match) have always been pleased, despite my own misgivings. I would suggest you soldier on, and even if it doesn't match the glory that was in your mind I bet your son will love it, as will everyone else who sees it!!

Alison

PS Post some pics when you get home - we are all dying to see it now.

depending on the pattern of course could you add black sashing between the blocks to increase the black, and I would also go with black quilting thread, and a black border. Perhaps the "too much white" is making you think it is too feminine for Him......Will await photos for final opinion

It will actually have 3 borders - all are varying black fabrics - I was going to do a patterned fabric on the back and use black thread for the quilting. I've made probably 1/3 more blocks than I needed so I'll probably now do something along the lines of a pieced back and use up some of those blocks unless again - it's still "too" white for that. Then I see lots of toss pillows or maybe shams with the remainders.
I have told myself for 3 days now - no one will ever see what I see except me...

Y'all are, as usual, super and love all your comments and suggestions. Thanks!

The black borders will also darken it - if the blocks are amenable to sashing, that will also darken it. So will the black thread you plan to use for quilting it.

When you get a chance to post some pictures, that will be helpful - because then we can also see how 'white' it actually is.

Sometimes we 'see' what we are looking for - if something has exactly the same ratio of colors in it - sometimes we 'see' more of the light/bright color than of the rest of it. Example: Dark purple and bright yellow. The yellow will be a lot more 'dominant' than the dark purple, even if the surface area is the same.

Black and white is hard on the eye to work on, that is for sure. Even though it is stunning, the process is pretty hard on you. Maybe it is this that is throwing you off?

If you think that the sashings will bring it into line, I would say use those.

But, if you really don't like something, Be Brave and take it apart and fix it. Fabric is so dang expensive! I have had to do this before, and trust me, it isn't easy to make yourself call uncle and do it. But it is very satisfying when it is fixed and finished the way you imagined.

It's true that another's eye can "see" your quilt the right way.

I was struggling with a two block quilt that just looked bad on the design wall. My niece in law came in while I was snarling at it and said "Have you tried sashing? In this fabric?" picking up just the right fabric. She saved the whole quilt!

Looking forward to seeing your picture. One of this fine ladies here will have just that right idea for you.

OK, I know you said black and white, but what about a small touch of red or yellow. I have a black and white quilt in mind for my son too. However, I saw a couple with just a little color and really liked it. Now I will have to make a choice between the two ideas.

I get what you are saying. I am struggling with one that doesn't match what I had envisioned. The suggestions here sound good and we are our own worst critics sometimes. Good luck.

Add a splash of Lime Green, or Red, or Yellow or any really bright color, to make it pop...