This quilt needs borders
 

I completed the pattern for the blocks to the seahorse pixel, but obviously it needs borders. I'm thinking 4 more inches on the sides, and 2 more inches at top and bottom. Looking for input. It measures 41 by 93 inches.

Wow! Your seahorse is beautiful!

Yes, I agree. It needs borders, and I also agree, it's a beautiful "quilt".
bkay

The seahorse is stunning! Is it going to be a wall hanging? If it is perhaps you can measure the space where you want to hang it and go from there. Then determine the size of the borders to make sure it fits in the space and get the look you want.

After looking at the photo again, I believe I would use one of the light colors to make an "inner" border to sort of "end" the the animal's nose and other parts. I may be wrong, but it seems to me that using a darker border will look like his nose is against a wall. I would "try out" a beige (or other light color) as an inner border (even 1 inch finished) and one of the blues as an outer border.

bkay

I have to agree with bkay. A narrow background coloured border would emphasize the outline of the seahorse. It a lovely quilt. Will you be hanging it?

I agree - it's a great top! I think a first light border would be good. If you want more, maybe a curved shape border or if you want it larger, snail's trail or storm at sea block.

It's quilt tall already ... You might consider only adding to the sides, and leave the top and bottom as they are. You could do something that looks like seaweed growing, either by piecing something, or doing it in the quilting of the side panels

I'm thinking that another set of background blocks entirely around to center up the sea horse and then next to that a thin border of the dark blue, then a thin border of the light blue, and then a thin border of the dark burgundy, followed by the background color (darkest one) as the binding. I don't know if that will make it two big/wide/long for what you want it for, but perhaps if it is, a lap quilt instead of a wall hanging since it is already so long for a wall hanging.

If you have anymore of the colored squares, why not make a neutral sashing of the same width, then conbined all your leftover colored squares for another sashing (I know that's tedious) and then add a 1.5 or 2 inch border of the neutral color last. Uses up any leftovers and will add the width and length you want. Maybe a bit more length than you mentioned though. Another thought if you don't have as many of the colored blocks leftover, alternate them with the neutral color.......every other one and so on.

I agree with Snooze, use your scraps and do a piano key, or just blocks that are the same size or double size of the inner blocks. Don't demean all your effort by slapping a couple of strips on it ;)

This is just my input. I would widen it and even more background at top and bottom too with the neural background you’re using until I got it almost the completed size. Then put my color borders. My thinking it needs more background so it floats, then one of your pretty colors for a border. I would figure all the borders, top, bottom, sides, however size width you want bit all the same width and then fill in between with background. Just my 2 cents worth.-lol

I didn't make myself clear. I want to add more background and bind it. How much more background? Will 4" on sides be enough? And just 2" top and bottom because it is so long already? Not planning on hanging it, just using it. If it were smaller, I would use leftovers. Perhaps in the binding. Thanks for that idea.

I agree. I would put a border of the background fabric or similar and then put another border after that to frame the seahorse. You did a wonderful job on him.

I agree that adding more background is the way to go rather than borders with colour. I think your suggested dimensions though, would still leave it much longer than it is wide. Don’t know if it will be wide enough to use. Maybe 6 inches on each side? Or 8 inches on one side and 4 on the other? Could be quite interesting not centered. And yes, no need for more that 2 inches on top and bottom.

Another one here, voting for added background sand all the way around, equal amounts on all four sides.

There's enough happening in the seahorse design that I would keep the final border simple with one colour. Probably the darker blue you have used. Then a flange binding using the same fabric for the wider part, with the flange in the turquoise.

What size is your flimsy now?

I added 6" on sides and 3" top and bottom. Much better. DD noticed that it is the same size as dining table...maybe that is where it will end up. Undecided about binding. One solid color or all leftovers. I think she is colorful enough, and I should go solid. I have time to decide because I need to mark the lines for quilting before sandwiching. I found that I like the loopy meander on the main event for these pixel quilts, not sure for background.