What do I do next?
 

I'm working on a Christmas gift for my DD who has been so-o-o-o great during the past few years. It's a queen size quilt to replace the one she's worn out.
I think I should continue the pattern another 5 or 6 rows on the top and bottom to make it fit the top of the bed - not using the darker fabrics at all. But after that?
Should I add a narrow border to frame it and if so should it be dark or light?
Can I just add a border measuring a 10 - 12 inch drop all round?
The first picture is just the centre medallion; the second is showing how it looks with other fabrics. The fabric on the bottom right I purchased for borders but I'm thinking it should be the backing? I would need another 2 yards/metres I think.
It's being constructed as sort of a quilt as you go because I'm planning on quilting it myself on my DSM which has a throat space of about 6 inches - just straight lines emphasizing the expanding from the centre. Or should I splurge on a long armer?

A few questions/comments -

It is beautiful so far - I love the design and the colors you have used.

You might consider starting with what you want the finished size to be (allow for "shrinkage" that happens when it is quilted and what it might shrink after it is washed).

How does your daughter put her pillows on the bed during the day? Some people put the pillows on top of the quilt - which is what I do.

Some people use a pillow tuck and the pillows are covered with the quilt/spread. Even that varies from a "barely there" tuck to about a six inch tuck.

Some people only put a border on three sides of the quilt/spread.

Is this intended to be a bedspread?

I prefer that a quilt/spread only drop to cover the top couple of inches of a bed skirt. I think they get too heavy and uncomfortable to be under when they reach the floor. Plus hard to handle while making it.

I would add a few more rows of the lights, then a border of the darkest, but you do what ever you want and feels right to you! by the way its beautiful!

Oh, this is beautiful so far! Your colors are gorgeous. If it were mine, I'd add enough rows to make the drop just long enough to cover the sides of the mattress (15 inches, roughly) on 3 sides, and enough rows to reach the top edge of the mattress. Then I'd bind in the darkest plum. I would not add a border ; I think that would detract from the design. And Maybe make two pillowcases--dark main, lighter flange, medium trim (if you do the "magic pillowcase" as seen on youtube).

look online at photos of these quilts. that may help you decide on borders, etc. Wonderful quilt!!

I think a narrow binding as Zozee suggested would look better than a larger border. Love the colors. As far as quilting, have you considered doing somewhat of an echo quilting. Example: quilt at the intersection where your plum color joins with your lighter colors ... basicly following the shape of your center design. Perhaps stitch like this 2 to 3 rows apart all over the quilt. Your machine may not have enough throat space to do this easily.

No opinion. I make generous sized matching pillow covers for my bed quilts.

Whatever you do it is going to be just stunning.....it's the most gorgeous quilt...fabulous.

Just a quick thought...does your DD have dogs? A "long drape" quilt can get soiled by pets that find it a favourite rubbing point as they walk about your bedroom! I think it's best to have it just overhanging the drop of the mattress...not any longer.

This is gorgeous. I would have never thought to put these colors together but these came out sooo well! Thank you for sharing. I usually go for a little darker border as that is where the quilt will be handled.

By the way--as I'm looking at those pictures. On the top left and lower left, did a gold/yellow block get switched? It's not the same as the section on the right side of the quilt. On the right the gold/yellow stair steps evenly toward the center but on the left it's not the same.

If it were me, I'd frame what you have on all 4 sides with more bargello, then bind it in the red. Anything that you do will be just fine as you have started a beautiful quilt.

Beautiful. I make my large quilts drop on 3 sides and make shams for the pillows. It would look great to have mini bargello shams. Love the pink on the right for binding. I wouldn't add borders, I would let the design carry on.

Beautiful so far. If you want to make it bigger, add sashing and borders to make up the difference.

I would just continue in pattern until you have the desired drop, then bind in any one of the more solid colors. I think borders would draw the eye away from the beautiful center rather than frame it. It will be beautiful no matter what you decide.

The quilt top is beautiful. The colors are wonderful.

I agree, something looks off there, not sure what. :shock:

Beautiful quilt, I love the colors. I like the idea of continuing the pattern of paler fabrics on the north and south sides of the quilt, then using the pink fabric at the bottom right for a border. I think that fabric is perfect for that quilt! Then maybe the dark fuchsia or purple for binding.

As far as quilting it, that's a pretty difficult question to answer because of the very personal factors that go into that decision. Can you afford a longarmer, or will it crimp your Christmas budget? Would you rather avoid wrestling the quilt through your DSM? Is your DD the kind of person who would be touched because you made the entire quilt, every single part of it? Or would she not care how it got quilted?

This is absolutely beautiful. You are so talented and she is going to love it.

well, i think if anything is off i'd leave it. I'm doing some hand quilting now and am tired of pulling stitches out. this is such a pretty quilt, it is lovely the way it is. that is my Motto!

Your quilt is gorgeous. I remember reading that bargellos don't need borders or extra designs because they distract from the main work. That isn't an opinion...just something I read. I love your quilt. Congratulations. She should love it for sure.

Oh, your quilt is just gorgeous. I love the lights, mediums, and darks. So beautiful!

I will be odd woman out here.

I love the quilt as it is. It is beautifully balanced.

If you want a border, I would go with the one on the right, but only make it as wide as your widest strip in the quilt. It will not then be a full covering for the bed, more of a topper.

I would use either the purple or the dark wine colour for the binding.

I agree with some of the others, and recommend no border. but add some extra rows to the quilt to reach your desired size and go with a dark binding.
The quilt is very beautiful!!

I see it now. But I can fix that! And it will only take a couple of hours... And I'll only have to do it twice instead of four times... As you can see I've had to do a bit of fixing already....
Like I said... I haven't lost my mind yet....

Your quilt is gorgeous! I don't think it needs a border at all.

What a beautiful quilt. May I ask what the name of the pattern is?

Yours is beautiful, I love the colors. When I did one similar to this the pattern repeated itself. If you have enough fabric, you could repeat the top half and add it to the bottom of the quilt. If you choose to add borders, I would start with the darkest color to frame the design then pink on the right side.

Your quilt is beautiful!! I make a lot of Bargello quilts, and I like to finish them with two borders....a small inch inner border and then an outer border of one of the darkest colors. It seems to frame it all very well. Let me see if I can find a picture, in case it is helpful.

I quilt my quilts myself on my domestic. I just go from top to bottom, stitching in every third seam or so. Seems to work fine and always lets the piecing show nicely. I am just too frugal to pay a long arm quilter.

I love your quilt. I have that pattern and may make it next, thanks to seeing your beauty!

Dina

I only read the thread author's post and looked at the pics, I think it's absolutely perfect like it is, I'd do a very narrow binding in the darkest color. I adore the colorway you have going, so pretty! What a thoughtful gift.

It is so beautiful. I would make it to cover the bed and make pillow shams to go with it. I am making a queen for my DD ad she ask for me to make sure I made the pillow shams.

Vortex in the book "Twist and Turn Bargello Quilts" Eileen Wright.

For some reason I can't edit this post... The pattern is "Nebula" not Vortex (wrong name but the right book). I think of it as Vortex so I guess I've just named the quilt.