I made these pinwheel blocks because I love 30's fabric and wanted to do something different. I want to finish the quilt and send it to my cousin who is battling breast cancer.

The blocks will be 6" when finished. Right now on the design wall I have 6 blocks across and 9 down. Are the proportions right? Should I make it wider? Shorter?

Also, what about borders? I thought a small solid border (not sure what color) and then take scraps and make a wider border. Thoughts?

Thanks in advance for your help!

This makes it 36 X 54 if my math is correct. Are you going to add borders? Also how big is she, you know weight and height? That should determine if it's big enough or not.

I forgot to say it is a beautiful quilt. Your cousin is sure to love it.

Pretty blocks so far!

Its beautiful! I would go with a small boarder. Going through the same thing as your cousin, I found the smaller quilts were better. It is hard for me lift/pull the larger quilts or blankets. The heavier ones were uncomfortable on my chest. I have a lap quilt that my Grandmother made for me. It just covers me while I am in the chair or hospital bed. And it is light enough I can carry it to treatments. Please remember to put her name on the back of quilt encase it ends up in the hospital laundry. Your cousin will love it.

Your pin wheels look great. I love the 30s fabric.
I made a 9-patch quilt using similar fabrics. I added a thin white border and a scrappy border and a wider white border. If you would like to see I have it posted here. It might give you an idea of what your plans might look like.
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-72839-1.htm
I think your proportions are right on.

36 x 54 will require borders of about 6 iches all around to make it comfortable. Although I'd add one more row of 6 for a total length of 10 blocks. With the 6 inch borders that's 72. About right to tuck you feet in and pull up to your chin. You can make the border a combo of 2 or three colors to finish it out. Or use one color is that suits you.

Very pretty!

I am watching this thread as I plan to make a quilt similar to this. Very pretty!

Great advice! My best to you.

I have been making a "nap" size quilt that usually measures 63 x 75 give or take an inch. You might want to add 2 row across and 2 row down to make it about 48x66 with out border and then add 4-6 in border making finished size 60 x78. You could also add sashing between 4 blocks making 12 x12 blocks out of 4 squares. Any size that you make will keep her warm with you love and kindness!

Thank you all for your suggestions. I think I'll start sewing the blocks together and take if from there.

The border on this one would look great on the pinwheel IMHO. Good luck and be sure to post a picture of the finished quilt for us to see

My personal opinion is not to make it to big. The reason being is that if she has had any kind of surgery, a large blanket is very difficult to pull on, unless you have had the surgery, you would not know this. She will be sore in many places. Your quilt is beautiful and I hope that it gives her much comfort when she is doing treatment. My prayers are with her.

The proportion is fine. I would add a small tiny border and then a second bigger border. Piano keys would be fun for the bigger border. I would use scraps of the fabrics in the quilt.

The colors are so pretty. And you did such a great job piecing.

I love it! See my avatar. I've got a narrow inner border, wider outer border and prairie points in between. I've also seen pinwheel quilts with a plain outer border and some appliqued flowers and vines. That look is very pretty! Another look I like is to have 2 borders the same fabric separated by piping or a flange in a different color. It looks like a framed piece of art. Whatever you choose, I'm sure it will be great!

I'm sorry you have to go threw that! My hubby went threw chemo and he also found that the lighter quilts were better, just because of the temperature changes your body goes threw while you sit or lay there receiving treatment. There was a big room full of people getting chemo and most started fully cover, then an arm popped out, then a leg, then the cover was off, then on again. I made a few quilts for them but one special one for hubby that he left there after treatment. He's 7 years out of chemo now!! YIPPY!! He didn't have super good chances but he got threw it as I know you will too!!
Prayers headed you way sweetie!!
Gracie.

36x54 inches is narrow and short. Try adding a 6 1/2 inch border to all sides for 48x66 inch lap quilt or first make it 9x11 blocks (54x66 inches) and add a 6 1/2 inch border to all sides for (66x78 inches) for a very large lap quilt perfect for getting some covering. Either size it is a beautiful and happy quilt.

Thank you! Hugs, Eliz

Thank you, I am on the down hill side now. Last path was negative and I just had my last reconstruction surgery on March 3. I am glad your husband is better. Hugs, Eliz

Your quilt is lovely and will be "So Loved" I am 11 years out now from Breast Cancer myself those hugs and prayers mean alot. I wish I had a quilt when I was going thru it all. In fact that is when I started quilting. I wanted to add something beautiful and new to my life : )
As for my thoughts..I love borders I think it frames the quilt. Any colors would be great! Wonderful job!

I think you should heed this advice since FruzaFlyin has gone through and knows what's best. It's a beautiful quilt. Love pinwheels and 30's fabrics. Your cousin will cherish this quilt. Bless you for making it for her and prayers for her.

I love your fabric and the quilt is beautiful. I agree that the size is just right when you add borders. I usually make my scrap borders 2" wide and 6" long (finished) and sew them together so the border is 6" wide. I get to use up a lot of scraps that way. I'm sure your quilt will be beautiful whatever border you use.

YIPPY!! Real glad to hear it!!

It's when I started quilting too. I saw a need for more comfy blankets and after I did one for hubby, I did, 5 or 6 more for the rest of the chemo patients and I haven't stopped yet!! It's a labor of love for people, I don't even sign them. Everyone asks me why I don't. I don't do it for recognition, I do it for love.

Gracie.

For adults, I always want the quilt to be at least 50 inches wide, and about 75 inches long. If the person is extra wide or extra long, then bigger. I assume that the quilt will be a nap cover and that is a comfortable size for me. You could add more blocks or gaint he large size with piano key border made of scraps. Oh, by the way . . . I love this cheerful and well designed quilt.

It is lovely and will be so important to her. Please consider putting fleece or even minkee on the back. It will be warmer, lighter and easier for her to manage. I make lots of quilts for the children's hospital and that's what I use. Wears well if you buy good fleece (JoAnn's 50% off)

I would add a row all around and then add the borders that Yvonne suggested. If she is in chemo they tend to get cold so she could wrap herself in all the love that comes from a quilt.

I would add a row all around and then add the borders that Yvonne suggested. If she is in chemo they tend to get cold so she could wrap herself in all the love that comes from a quilt.

Beautiful quilt!

LOVE IT ! I have been wanting to do a pinwheel quilt. I too love the reproduction fabric.

I would add another row to make the quilt wider,
7 blocks X 9 blocks. Odd number rows seem to work better.
Then add a narrow border with the same color binding.

Very beautiful !! She will love it !

I would make it 7 x 9 blocks and then maybe a border

The blocks look great! as for size I am 5'10" and I make all my curl up quilt tops to finish out at 60"x70" that way it will tuck under the feet and up around the shoulders. Now thats not the case with my youngest DD she is 6'3" and growing, so hers get to be longer. I do agree with the small white boarder then a scrappy and then another white. Just my thoughts. Keep up the good work the quilt will be just bueatiful when your finished!

I think I would do 7x8 blocks. that would bring it more into proportion. Then I would put a small solid border. then I like your idea of a scrappy border after that and then bind. That said. You've done a great job and she'll love it no matter how you finish it up.

The size of your quilt seems right for a cancer patient who may not need the weight of a bigger quilt, and could possibly take it with her to treatment. Your design idea for a border sounds like a good one to me. Your quilt is so pretty, but the border would make it even more so. Best wishes for your cousin's recovery.

I agree with dedcavan

Very pretty! Depending on her size I would put a navy blue border on it, as wide as you need it to be, within reason of course.

I've been through chemo twice, and you need something lightweight and warm. My most comfortable lap blanket is 60 x 60. My daughter is also undergoing chemo. I actually bought a fleecy type throw at WalMart and used that as the batting for a chemo quilt for her. It's light weight, launders well, and is warm.