I like the third option.

WOW! You done a fantastic job on this quilt. Don't stop now. It would take less time to finish it if you just add the border to it. I think the lighter & then the darker would frame it in perfectly.

I have a different thought. First a dark border then a thin light border then another dark border. All the light blocks & that thin border will then stand out! No more HST's today.
:)!

like the idea of the dark HSTs all around. It looks more vibrant than the plain material, is in - keeping with the HSTs within your quilt and will make the lighter blocks stand out.

Have you tried adding space between the blocks? Maybe sashing to break up the blue blocks? Then frame it all in the same color and add a final border. I'd try it to see, I've seen quilts use this effectively, usually with a thin sashing.

Great piecing job. Don't you dare give up now. It will be a beauty.

I like the light and then the dark border! What do you like best?

This is an especially nice quilt. Good work. Don't give up.

This is an especially nice quilt. Good work. Don't give up.

I agree