How about piano keys in all the colors of the quilt?

I really like Mom3's suggestion. But, I also like the idea of a "little" bit more color. What about doing a narrow piping in one of the brights between each of the additional borders? I used one in a challenge quilt for my guild. I was surprised how easy it was and how effective,,,for being such a little thing.

PS. I really like what you've done. Are butterflies appliqued on the crosses? Gorgeous!

I'm no help, but it is a lovely quilt! Hope you can solve your dilemma from all the good suggestions here.

How about using the bright colors singly as on-point 4" or so squares, set in solid black; like a flim strip border but the squares on point. That would repeat the shape of the black diamond setting of the crosses, but add color.

Follow that with your light border as the drop, with another border of the zebra print, bound in black. A bright flange/piping between the white and zebra would make the drop really coordinate well. It could be a single color, such as the gold around the center block, or red, or a scrappy-style strip pieced from all the colors.

IMHO i think adding color will take away from the center.. Darker borders/sqs is my vote..


BTW-- I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE the way it is now... :thumbup:

How about vines and flowers, either hand or machine applique, with butterflies flying around in spots.

Beautiful quilt in the making.

What about adding a zigzag of color? Mixing the B/W print with colors - I just added a round to a round robin where the previous round was relatively open like yours. Here is a photo - it is all HST I just rotated the layout to get a zigzag look.

You guys are the greatest. Piano keys was the way to go. I did go with the brights again which framed the bed perfectly. I did however also add in the black and whites. And MOM3 you were so right! When I added the light color around it to finish it - it lifted it right off the bed and it looked like I just cut up a sheet to finish it. Here's the picture after adding the piano keys and thin yellow strip. The first one was the original thought - the second one is testing a darker drop - but I went with an even darker drop than this; the black latice, but there wasn't any to be found here. It's for my friend in California, so I went ahead and shipped it off to my sister and they'll finish it in the black lattice. I'll post a picture when it's finally done. It's the black w white lattice that's in the quilt already. I couldn't have this in my master it's too wild - it would drive me crazy. Go figure - she picked this.... I went with a basic black/gray back so it can be flipped over when she gets sick of it. Will post pictures after it's quilted and bound. Again, thanks everyone - this is one that drove me crazy from start to finish.

Please excuse the mess - had to strip the pillows off the bed as my design wall wasn't big enough for this one.