How about a pieced border? Some of my favorite easy pieced borders: 4- or 9- patch, hourglass or, a bit more trouble but not bad, pinwheels. Calculate how much you want to "grow" the top, how big your pieced borders need to be. Put in a coping border of the gold or red if needed so that your pieced border will fit well. Then you could add another plain border if needed to make it larger still.

There is a book out called "Panel Play" by Barbara Becker that is very helpful on how to design around panels. I bought 3 panels for my nieces/nephew to make them christmas throw quilts (to keep them from using the fancy embroidered applique one I made my sister their mom) and did 3 of the designs out of the book. They turned out stunning. The author also teaches how to size the blocks you need, how to straighten a panel, and many other things related to working with panels. I strongly recommend purchasing this book if you do a lot of panels. Definitely got my creative juices flowing!

Thanks CarolynMT. Gonna order that book!

I have been playing with this idea. I like it!

Dina

Well, I have sewn on one border and have two others pinned on. I have decided that I would really like to make it about 8 inches wider . A pieced border might work for me....got to think on that tomorrow. Here is where it is now....