kiesh

I added pictures on this thread, I think they are on page 3.
I don't know how to edit the original post to add them there.

kiesh

What kind of border would you use?

Edie

Sorry if I sound gross, but a white border will show all the dirt, lipstick, greasy fingers. Maybe you could suggest that and advise on another color, perhaps a main color in the quilt. Edie

117becca

Love the quilt!!! I agree the white does not work - the body of the quilt is darker tones/visually "heavier", and the white is lighter in tone and visually. It doesn't add balance visually and probably why you don't like it.

My suggestion is to pull one of the colors out of the quilt, or you can take it to the quilt store and see what "speaks" to you. If you find another border fabric that you really like and give your mom & sister a choice, they'll probably choose the same fabric as you.

When you quilt - agree w/ the stitching away from the ditch...it's easier to keep the stitching straight. Pick a color that will disappear in the quilt if you want to minimize being able to see it. If you're machine quilting it, choose the color of the backing for the bobbin thread.

117becca

Actually, looking at the quilt again, I'd use the solid brown as a border. I do think maybe you need another color between the "sashing" & the border. The quilt top is busy, so a simpler border wouldn't detract from it...It is gorgeous!! Google "quilt borders" and see what inspiration you may find. I find lots of ideas that way.

MdmSew'n'Sew

I agree with the ones who suggested that you send a photo of the top with the white, it's just too stark a contrast, maybe you could suggest a very thin (1/2 to 1 inch) border in the white with something darker, or even pieced border from the fabrics in the quilt, as the outer border- I agree, it's not the right border for your masterpiece.

BarbaraSue

Just wondering if you could add the white border but a narrow one with another of the sashing and the end is another narrow white. The white would brighten the quilt which might have been the intent on choosing white, but it wouldn't look so out of place if it is no wider than the brown in both places. It would look like a mirror image to what is already on the quilt. Maybe more work than what you want to do.

BeckyBryan

Kiesh - What a beautiful quilt! After seeing a picture of the quilt top, and reading that you are relatively new to quilting, I started wondering a few things. First, your quilt top doesn't look like it needs a border. It looks great as it is, and I see your dilemma with the white fabric! Second, if I were buying the fabrics for this particular quilt pattern, it would have been unusual for me NOT to have bought the border fabric at the same time since the border is an integral part of the quilt top. I would have been more likely to not buy the backing and BINDING fabric at the same time. That's a more common practice picking out your fabrics. You don't mention what fabric you have for the binding, which makes me think that perhaps you meant you asked your Mom and Sis to pick out the fabric for the backing and the binding, instead of for a border. That being said, if I were to put a border on this quilt top, I would pick a green and blue solid fabric from the original fabrics and make a small border (1" finished) in green, then a larger (3" finished) in blue. Bind in brown. GOOD LUCK!
One more thing -- Stitch in the Ditch quilting isn't a good choice for your first quilting experience. I do a lot of straight line quilting. If I were to quilt this top, I'd do a grid pattern, starting in the middle and stitching 1/4" along the seams of your "filmstrips" side to side. Turn your quilt around and do the same from top to bottom. Then I'd consider marking and quilting down a straight line right down the middle of your larger blocks, using the same top-to-bottom, side-to-side method.
Let us know how it all turns out!

jeanneb52

They picked it....it's what sis wants. Go with her wishes. We all tend to make quilts WE like. No wonder people are not always thrilled to get our quilts...

My time

I think this is really a good solution. I can see why your reluctant to use the white. I think we are all looking forward to your end product. Your quilt looks great by the way, really like the colours.