Help, please. I made this wall hanging without directions for finishing once I had the roosters done. Since I usually just follow directions and don't venture out on my own, this was a project. I used two different borders and a cornerstone. I know the coloring is bad, but the background color is a very pale yellow with a tone on tone of tiny squares. The borders are deep purple and a sort of burgundy rust color and cornerstones a yellow print. They were a 2 inch square when cut. My question is do I need to put a border around all of it now and if so what color do you think I should use. I will appreciate all your thoughts. This is my first applique project so please ignore the mistakes. Thanks !!!!!!

I have no suggestions, other than you can send it to me when you are done!!! Love it. Are they Florine Johnson's (SP) patterns? I have all of her patterns, but have not venured into making them yet!

Wow! That is really good for a first applique project! I'm working on my own first applique right now, and it's not nearly as detailed as yours! Good job!

I'm no good at picking out borders, but one thing I would suggest is to think about where you intend to put this. After deciding that, would a dark or a light border look better in that location?

Your quilt is beautiful. Some folks leave it without an outer border if they want the Country look, which is popular here in the South. I'm not sure if yours will hang in a formal dining area & if so, then maybe a Black outer border. I feel black is in chic for most projects, unless it's for Spring quilts or children's. Thanks for sharing it with us.

Yep, Florines they are. I love them and have a few more to do. I see she has the new chick one now.

I think it looks very good and you did a great job. I would pick a color from one of the roosters and use it for a border, a border around it all would make it look finished.

I also thought a black border might set this off really well. You did a wonderful job.

Take the top to your LQS and audition dfferent fabrics by laying the top on the fabric.

It is really cute as is; but what about some chicken wire patterned fabric for border. It comes in a few colors.

Oh my gosh! I love those roosters! They're gorgeous. Yes, I agree that a border is in order here....I would say a dark one. Please post a pic when it's done so we can all say!

I love your roosters! Great job!

What mistakes? Wow that is very cute. I like the idea of the chicken wire fabric and black. Could throw in some chicken eggs.

i would go with black but keep it simple and sophisticated if it's for a grownup room. eggs and other novelty if it's for a child's room.


edit: it's already too sophisticated for a child. go for black. :wink:

I'm no good with borders, but love the chix. Have been admiring these guys more than once and you did a beautiful job.

Thanks a bunch everyone. You have made up my mind for me. In each of the roosters, their belly is done with a black print. I thought I wanted to use that as the border and all your comments sealed it. It is a little classy looking, not country. Believe it or not a lot of the fabrics were Asian. It is going in my family room which also has roosters in the theme, but classy roosters.

Now for my immediate problem. I posted a picture of the border fabric I want to use because I don't have enough. I put it under the "Main topics" labeled Have you seen this fabric? Maybe I'll be lucky and someone has a bit or knows a shop that does.

Thanks so much for your help. You were all right on about the black. I'll be sure to post when I have it together.

Yeah these were my thoughts as well.
I love your Roosters. So cute. Your first? Wow you did
awesome. Hope to see it when your done.
:thumbup:

Not sure if you have already put the black border on, but what about a thin border of the yellow cornerstone fabric and then a wider black border?

The black border fabric is on its way. Thanks to "Justwannaquilt" and "ghostrider". They knew just where to send me. I have been looking for months and they told me where to find it in minutes. What a great site we have here. What better way to quilt?????

Great idea on the thin border of the cornerstone fabric. I will definitely audition that as soon as my black fabric gets here. Thanks elfvinnd

try deep purple vertical and burgandy horizontal in the binding, it is just a beautiful what a work of art.

Great idea rather b stitchin. The binding would have been my next thought. Thanks for the jump start.

Your roosters are great!!! They sure are pretty.
I would add a border if it was me.
Hmmmm I see that you are considering adding a border.

I'm thinking no border, or a dark brown.

Thanks for the suggestion of the thin yellow border Elfvinnd. I tried it today and definitely adds a lot to the border. Black then on the outside looks great. I'll post a picture when it is altogether.

I absolutely love your rooster quilt. Great job.

I think a border of the background fabric would look great. And that is a beautiful quilt! Congratulations.

I would do that, too. It would help you start getting more confidence in choosing for borders. It is really fun to just wander around trying different fabrics. I am sure you will be able to find one that just suits you. Very nice applique, too!!

Love the roosters! Colors are great! Finishing it in black border will work. Great job. Love to see it again when finished!

Boy, you really stepped out there on your 1st applique project. I think I'd put a small gold or yellow border around the whole quilt and then a larger dark border. The applique is beautiful - you should be proud.