Need some help...OK a lot of help.
 

I am planning my Christmas projects and gathering fabrics, patterns etc. My son's girlfriend likes bright colors, I do not, so there are only a limited amount of them in my stash. I am having so much trouble just picking them out. So I decided to start with a pattern, it will be a lap quilt. I found a quick pattern that I can use a layer cake for. I thought that would help me put the colors together. So...here is the pattern and I picked out a tonga treat. Someone please tell me if you think this will work or is going to look dead. Where there is white sashing I am going to use black. Any advice would be great! Now I hope I can attach these pics.

it looks to me like it will be beautiful. I love bright colors. I love your colors. I don't think it will look dead, because there are a lot of bright lights etc.

Your first picture of Gumdro[ tonga looks bright. The colors in the quilt on the second quilt look soft and quiet.

I think it will just perfect! Black sashing will set it off!

The bottom is just the pattern I decided to use since I could let a layer cake pick the colors. LOL I was going to go with the layer cake used in the pattern but DS said it was too tame! I thought black sashing would pop the colors. I am leaning toward the reddish purple (top row, second from the left) as a border. I am way out of my comfort zone here so all suggestions and opinions are very welcomed! :)

The colors are gorgeous and black will set them off beautifully.

Personally I think that the bright colors will pop next to the black bordering. Yes, definately, go for it!!

Nice selection and pattern. I tend to wait until the design of the quilt is made and then see what colors speak to me for a border. She must be a special gal!

piney

I generally wait on the border also. I am just trying to picture the whole thing. Getting myself ready for these intense colors . :) The reddish purple may be too dark with the black actually. I just like that one. LOL

Black sashing with those colors will really make them pop. Your choice of the purple would be great. It's still bright, but with the black in it, it will finish the edges off nicely.

Brights aren't in my wheelhouse either but I love the batiks you've picked out! And I think the black will really set them off -- I think the quilt will look like a stained glass window. And I think the red/purple you chose as the border if great, too. I love the pattern you've chosen. What is the name of it? It looks like the type that would work well with a variety of different "looks". I can't wait to see this when it's done!

Love the colors you have choose. Can't wait to see how it turns out. :)

The pattern is "Twirl Simply Cakes" by Me & My Sister.

Yes add some black to make your fabrics pop even more.

I think it will look awesome. Please show when it is finished.

It will look wonderful. I love batiks and you will love the finished product. I prefer a solid white for the background instead of a WOW. I think it goes better with the fabrics.

I think it's very nice of you to make a quilt for yoru ds's gf. If she likes bright colors, will she like the black? Or is that more of your color choice to add a little bit of you into the quilt? I like bright colors, but am no so fond of black. I made a quilt a while ago for someone at work. The whole time I was using black as sashing, I kept thinking, "Ugh, so not my color preference." But it wasn't for me.

The bright colors and black sashing just seem to shout that this is for a young adult to me - not your grandmother's quilt at all! I hope she loves it; I think the colors are beautiful. What bright color are you going to use for the backing?

Both my DS and his GF are...hmmm...unique. Both are involved with Cutting Edge Haunted House here. It holds the record for the longest haunted house in guinness book of world records. He is a stage manager and actor and she is a make-up artist and actress there. The principle color in their wardrobes is black. Very easy to do his laundry! Both are extremely talented artists as well. She loves wild mixes of bright colors and dresses with a pop of some bright color with her black. That is why I was going with the black instead of the white.

I don't think I will have trouble using the black but I may have to wear sunglasses for the batiks! LOL
Here is a pic from a photo shoot they did and one of my DS at work...Enjoy!

I think you are going to have a beautiful quilt!

Oh my! I haven't even thought about backing yet! I was so worried about putting together a top she would love. Like I said this is going to be out of my comfort zone colorwise. I really am hoping I get it right. My DD says I am stressing over it too much but I always do when I make something for a gift. She says just do my thing and that she will love it because I thought to make it for her. I am really starting to look forward to piecing this quilt thanks to all your encouragement. :)

My next planning stress is for my DD's BF who is a rock guitarist! At least I think if I get a focus fabric for his I can pull the rest from my stash. I already have DD and DS's laps covered.

I think it will look great....please share pic when done!

as a bright color lover I think it will be amazing with the black to set it off.

Love the batiks! Love the black for the sashing but I'd wait to choose my color on the border. It's going to be gorgeous! The pics of their photo shoot are amazing by the way!!:thumbup:

LOVE your coffee quote, but for me it's Mt. Dew!!!!! I think the colors are gorgeous and I think the black sashing will really make the colors pop!!

Love your idea of using black instead of white for the trim. I think it will set off those gorgeous colors in your layer cake. I think you've picked a great pattern and great colors.

I think it sounds perfect with the black!

And I looooove your siggy:

I think your idea is outstanding. I love to work with batik & I think I would do exactly this. Can't wait to see you post the final quilt. Relax! It'll be great!!

I think they will just go off with a bang, good luck.

I think it's going to be awesome in bright colors with black sashing! If it were me, I would need to see the top put together before I could decide on a border/binding. Can't wait to see this one finished!

Love batiks and bright colors, your pattern and fabric will look great!

As you can see from my avatar, I'm partial to brights so I think the colors will be beautiful. White sashing will tone them down, black will make them pop. I usually wait until a top is completed before I start auditioning border fabrics. Make sure to post a photo when you're done.

I think that the black will really make it pop with your choice of batiks and love your idea for the border! And, I think she will love it, so stop stressing and get busy! lol :) She is one lucky girl.
Don't forget to post a picture when it is finished.

WOW - Just marelvous fabrics, the black will really make them pop, great job and thank you for sharing.
Have a Blessed day
Ellen

She'll probably like it. I just finnished a quilt for the quilt for quilter's swap and it has similar colors, bright batiks and kona black.My family loves how it turned out and so do others that have seen it. I used gold metalics to quilts designs in the blocks. Here is a pictue of the top finnished.

I agree with the black sashing vs the white.

I love the quilt pattern, I am sure that it will be great.

The black will really go with the bright colors. It will look great.

looks like a plan

I was in a class on EQ7 and for one of the exercises I created a quilt with bright layer cake blocks, sashed in black with lighter cornerstones. Showed the border the same width as the sashing (in black also). This was totally out of my normal style so I was so surprised how much I loved it. Just added another one to my list.....I bet you'll like this when you get it together. For sure your son's girl friend will love it!