second update on black background, cat blocks, and a border question...
 

Well, I am making progress. I have sewn the 36 cat blocks together, and, since I only made 36 cats instead of the 56 I started to make (I just grew weary of making cats!!!!), I need enough borders to make the size "usable."

I tried 8 different ideas, and I have narrowed it down to two. Which do you prefer? The narrow black one has cat paw prints on it, but it is narrow because I used every inch of that fabric that I had. The purple border is the one I prefer, but I value your input...as the decision isn't totally made yet.

Which border do you prefer? And thanks for all of the encouragement I have gotten along the way with this quilt. :) I really needed it this time....that black background just about killed my eyes.

Dina

I'm loving the black paw print! I think the purple is nice, but black is fantastic! And I really like it skinny like that.

I like the first one, with narrow cats'-paw border and more black :-( The purple border is fine, but doesn't set off the cats as well--to my eye. If you want wider patterned border, maybe add another black/white small print, like dots?

Cat paws looks best to me. but both work well.

oh i love both but the first one looks sooooo good.

they are both good fabrics for the border.. I really like the purple and think it pulls everything together.

I think I would audition a thinner purple border (like 1" wide) then the paw print a little wider (2"?) then the solid black - then bind it in the purple??

i just love the cat paw print!

I like the purple. It is wide enough to break up the inner section from the outer border. The other one does not seem to go with everything else.

The top one is beautiful.

I like the purple. The cat paw print is cute fabric, but I think it diverts attention to the border rather than focusing on the wonderful work you did with the cat blocks.

I like the first one. A lot!

I love the first one.

I really prefer the black. For some reason the purple takes away from the cats ( to me anyway). I don't think it's a bad choice but I like the black better.
I LOVE your quilt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I like them both! do the cat print in the inside, then the purple...best of both worlds!!

I really like both of them.

Know what you mean about sewing on the black. Black thread and black fabric makes me feel like I am blind especially at night..
I remember my Mom many years ago saying that. Me being a young teenager with perfect eyes thought she was being dramatic. Now I know what she meant.

The black - the purple draws attention to the purple cats and the black paw print lets each one shine like the star it is.

I like the purple one better.

I think the paw print is distracting because that print is not used anywhere else in that top.

(I love the paw print - I probably have some of it somewhere in my stash!)

Cat paws! The purple looks too much like it was made by a beginner who decided that everything had to match, but the cat paws looks like someone who has a creative streak took control of the design -- and that's you!

I LOVE the first one! It's a bit subtle, but does the job of separating. It's beautiful! I'm going to have to remember to try something like this. Thanks for posting it.

I love the cat paws best. It's going to be a GREAT quilt either way you go with it.

I, too, love the first pic. It frames the cats nicely, looks great, and doesn't look all 'matchy-matchy'! You've done a beautiful job with this quilt!!

First one! Great frame for the cats.

That's a lot of cats!!!!

I like the first one best.

Very striking!

Watson

I like a combo of both. Paw prints, then black the same width as the inner black, then purple, ending with the wider black.

I really like the first one with the cat paws. The purple is nice but the cat paws is so appropriate and really cute. Please share with us when you decide. Either one will be nice. Cute quilt by the way.

My first impression was the cat paws. The width matches the cat's tails somewhat. I think it showcases the cats that you have worked so hard on.

I like the black BUT I think thst the purple would work as well if it were narrower, perhaps the same width as the paw print

I like the paw prints but either would look great. I love your quilt.

I like the paw print one. It's perfect for the kitties and is a more restful appearance. The purple screams and brings out the purple cats so I don't get to enjoy all the rest of them. All I see when first looking at this is color, not the design. This is such a cute quilt. Good job!

The first one with the narrow paw print. Great quilt.

Cat paws would be my choice. Very nice!

I prefer the purple.

My first reaction was the purple but I went back and zoomed in and decided I like the first choice better. Maybe you could bind it with the purple as a compromise. I don't think I'd want to bind in black after the troubles you've had. By the way, it is very, very cute.

They are both good but I too LOVE the black paw print fabric. Very cute.

I'm with the paw print camp! :)
It "fits" the theme, adds interest to the quilt, but does not take away from the work you have done in making all of the cats.

How about the purple as a flange with a black binding?

It really is a sweet quilt!