To sash or not to sash.. that is the question.....
 

First time posting a pic so be gentle if it doesnt work ..
I am terrible when it comes to picking coordinating fabrics!
I would appreciate comments /suggestions on the overall composition of this WIP .. too dark? too bright? not bright enough? more yellow? less dark?
And my original question... should I add sash between the blocks? I plan to add at least 2 borders; maybe 1.5 or 2 inch dark and then 5in white(not sure yet).
thanks for looking and recommendations.
p.s. the pics are different changed out 2 of the solid white stars

I will try to help..great block just want to say that in both arrangements me yes are first drawn to the three grey solid blocks. After that I can not find a place to focus my attention. The black one in the center gives balance just not sure of those 3 grays squares. Hope this help you take another look to figure out jut wht pleases you and that is wht really matters in the long run. :)

Judy in Phx, AZ

Beautiful blocks!!! I think it would look great with narrow black sashing. If you want borders, I would stick with yellow and black to highlight your blocks, not white. Great job.

I was thinking the same as Judy, of maybe take out the black block and replace with another yellow block and then a black border?

I would replace the solid black square with something else and use narrow black sashing. I agree with sticking with yellow and black for the borders.

Were you planning on doing some kind of motif in the solid squares? I could definitely picture the black square with some beautiful yellow thread work in it.

Also, could be what you were going for, but it just kinda caught my eye that the left side is more open than the right & the far right side is brighter than the left. In any case, it is absolutely beautiful!

I would sash in a light color, not black, with yellow cornerstones. I would also replace the two really dark blocks, and maybe the 3rd dark print as well. I can't see it with a white outer border, would rather have something like one of the grey and yellow prints. The border of a quilt gets the most handling, and white will show wear more, and might look rather plain compared to your beautiful pieced blocks. (Of course some fancy quilting in yellow and grey might fix that.) It's going to be a pretty quilt

Very pretty colors and I think a black sashing would really make it pop. Maybe with yellow cornerstones. Agree about the grey. Keep on sharing your work. The piecing looks fantastic.

I would sash in a dark grey with yellow corner stones and definitely exchange that dark center square - it really stands out too much.

I would sash with the lighter gray, not real wide though. And I think your fabrics and blocks look super. I like the randomness of your layout.

I love it! You did a great job. I like the first one better and that's because I like the deeper yellow. At first glance, I think the left upper side of the top has too much pattern. How about moving the top row 3rd from left (top picture) block to where the bottom gray block is and putting a light yellow in the top row. I agree that a thin black sashing and a border of black and the darker yellow would look great. Can't wait to see the finished product.

First thing first. Your blocks are great. I like that you took one block pattern and made them look totally different.

I would place a strips of black between the blocks maybe 1/2" to 1" finish size and see how that changes the quilt. I would take another photo and see if it is something you like. I think since the blocks are pastel in regards to hue that the black will frame each one making them pop.

I love your quilt blocks but as my eyes were roaming around the quilt, it got stuck on the black one in the middle. I am not too crazy about the grey either. Maybe in person, it looks better. I do like your quilt a great deal. I would put sashing down and see what it looks like, I think this quilt will turn out quite nice.

Your blocks and colors are so pretty. I would rearrange them so that the busy blocks are broken up by the plainer blocks to give the eye a "rest". Plainer blocks are good for calming it down. Also, maybe instead of the solid light gray
blocks, you might find a gray and white print or yellow and white print to use, but not too busy of a pattern. Maybe you can consider using a black and white print instead of the solid black block. That way, the eye can rest, but the solid blocks will have a little more interest. You can try rearranging them by looking at the sections as nine patches and balance each section between busy and plain. If you choose to sash it, instead of solid black, maybe a tone on tone black would be pretty. Great job on the pieced blocks, the choices of print and color are really nice.

I am confused! Why did you use print blocks in the top? they do not read as solid and seem to distract from the great pieced blocks. I think that you should take out the 3 print bocks and replace then with solid blocks- maybe more gray or yelow. even if you alternate solid blocks and then the pieced blocks. That would really show off the piecing. As I see it now the pieced blocks get lost.

I agree with you, vcquan. Deciding about colors and widths of sashes and borders can be really frustrating. And everyone has great suggestions. I often lay the fabric I'm thinking about using for sashing under the blocks to audition the color and/or width. It helps me 'see' what the final project will look like.

Personally, I like the idea of a dark grey or black for sashing. But, if you use black, I would take out the black blocks. The sashing won't show up if it's the same color as a block and that particular block will stand out like a sore thumb.

I would suggest that you not use white in your outermost border. It's a great background on the blocks but it's not different enough to pop out and 'frame' your quilt picture. And, there's always that, 'white gets dirty faster' thing, too. Again, I'd use black and the yellow that you've picked. I like to use 3 colors in my borders.... with graduating sizes starting skinny and going bigger..... like, black (1"), then maybe the white because at that spot, it's not touching your blocks (2 1/2") and the bright print or yellow (3 1/2"). You'd have 7" of border. That sounds like what you were originally thinking.

You just have to show us what you come up with when you decide. Decisions are so difficult.

I love your pieced blocks and all those nice prints. But you have 5 solid blocks, 4 of which are in a row. I would try to "sprinkle" the plain blocks and print blocks among the pieced blocks. (And probably leave out the two darkest ones altogether. I like the idea of black sashing or black borders. Lay it all out on black and see what you think.

First, let me say that I shouldn't be on the Board before my caffeine. I thought your subject was "to stash or not to stash" and I thought that was a ridiculous question. Who wouldn't want a stash?!

LOVE your blocks and the fabrics that you have chosen What a happy quilt!

My two cents worth - I'd get rid of the plain blocks and replace them with another block of the prints that you have used (I love them!). I'd do a narrow sash in black. Just make sure that the blocks that are all one fabric are dispersed throughout the quilt and not clumped in one area.

I'm anxious to see the finished product. It's gonna be fabulous!

My thoughts also

Everyone has different ideas. I would like the narrow black sashing. I am getting ready to do these colors in a quilt. Now you have inspired me to get busy. Love the colors.

I agree with Jeanne S. Sash with narrow black fabric.

By all means, sash. Use black, narrow to frame those lovely blocks. froggyintexas

If you like the dark blocks, if you have the fabric, as opposed to using a charm pack:

think about this, add one more black and one more of the same color as the upper right. Use these 4 (2 black, 2 black prints) as cornerstones in opposite corners to each other.

Add 3 more of the dark print 2nd from right on the bottom. Use these four as next in, diagonally from the other 4 cornerstones.

This adds 5 blocks, so your layout will be 7x5 instead of 6x5.

As for sashing, I like dunster's suggestion of light with yellow cornerstones.

If you have trouble visualizing different sashes, lay the sash fabric on a bed, or your design wall, and arrange the blocks on top of the sash fabric. Auditioning the fabric, you can literally see the effect.

Oh, and last, but not least, your blocks are quite pretty, and your work putting them together is excellent! Lovely colors.

Love your squares and colors but, to me, the gray ones look like blank spots.

Your blocks are lovely. I really like your colors -- the gray, black, yellow and white look great together. Personally, I don't like the solid blocks. I'd remove those and use sashing between the pieced blocks, probably yellow. Then maybe a narrow black border and one of the prints as a wide outer border--maybe that pretty yellow flowers on gray print (second row, second whole block from left). But it's your quilt and you will know what you like when you audition some sashing strips and borders, I think.

It's going to be beautiful when finished!

I'd take out the solid black block and go with the borders as suggested. The prints go together so well.

thanks for all the great suggestions! Will get busy incorporating your ideas and post the result. I too fell in love with the fabric colors when I found this packaged collections in the clearance bin at a local Walmart! The design was inspired from a Reproduction pattern I won as a door prize at one of my favorite LQS in Stafford, Texas. I'll post the details with pics later.. Thanks again