In order to practice working on HSTs, I chose this pattern and layout from quilterscache. I got a lot of practice, I promise!

The original block was 12", I was concerned that I would not have enough material, so I changed it to a 9" block. The top is approximately 54" x 54".

I usually add a border to quilts, but with this one I am hesitant. I do not have enough blue left and really don't want to introduce another color to the quilt. I don't know what color binding I will use. So it will stay as is until I can decide...

any suggestions?

I don't have any suggestions but wanted to say that your quilt top is beautiful. Did you use Thangles on your HSTs?

very pretty

I would border it with the white and then bind it with the blue if you have enough. Very pretty top.

I agree with the white or cream whichever you used. Looks cream on my screen. If you don't have enough of the blue for binding maybe a solid navy blue binding.

I agree, white/cream border and blue binding. If you don't have enough of that blue, you could try to find a solid, marble or tonal that is close in color to the blue. You don't see much of the binding, so I don't think a small amount of design would take away from the body of the quilt.

Very nice!

Wow, its so pretty! You did a wonderful job!

It is beautiful.
I understand your not wanting to introduce another color but you do what you gotta do. You have several tones to choose from.
My eye picked up the deep navy blue. Do you have some deep blues you could lay the quilt on to take a photo of what they would look like as the border color?
I think it would be stunning if you had enough of your white/cream fabric for the border.
What does your backing look like? Is there a chance it would blend with the front well enough to roll your backing over quilt front and seam it as the binding?
I will look forward to seeing what your resolution is.

Very nice - I love the interest

Fabulous job! I like your idea of making the squares smaller.

I made this pattern last year as a retirement gift. I didn't put anything else on it and used a blue binding.
The 12 inch squares made it go together quick.

Hope you get to keep yours! :lol:

I think it would look beautiful with a white/cream border and blue binding :-P

No, I cut pieces slightly bigger, then cut them to size after they were put together.

Thanks. That's an idea. I really have to measure to see if I have enough.

I used a very light marbled cream...so much so that I had to very carefully look as I was sewing it so that I wouldn't put the back to the front.

Ooooo very pretty!!! :D:D:D

I haven't figured out the backing yet...I would think it would have to be a white/cream. Any color might "bleed" or show through in the front.

Your block is gorgeous and your quilt is going to be beautiful.

Beautiful!! For borders, I'd take it to my LQS and match the dark/light colors of the blues -- a lighter color first with a darker outer border. A dark binding would be beautiful! :D :thumbup:

very pretty, thanks for sharing!

Now that's dedication. Since I discovered Thangles I try to use them whenever possible. ;)

Very pretty!

that's gorgeous! I would do a white border using the same white you did in the quilt.
Kind Regards,
MaryAnna

I just wanted to see if I could do it. I didn't know any better a couple of years ago and cut each individual block for a John Deere quilt (shown in my Picassa pictures-finished projects). I have learned since then about that, maybe Thangles will be coming to my house sometime in the future.

I love them! I pin my fabric on several sheets then sew them all at the same time just going from the first on one to the first on the next and so on. I also make a little "nip" into the cutting line down each side so that when I cut them apart the little "ears" come off at the same time--no trimming later.

Your quilt is stunning. I would do a white border and blue binding.

That is absolutely beautiful. I agree with the white border. It really needs one. You did a wonderful job on it. Thanks for sharing.

I love your quilt!! Blue and white is one of my favorite color combinations.

Here is my method for making HSTs

http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-37915-1.htm

ditto.

This is very very pretty! You did a great job on it. Love everything about it. Thanks for sharing.

I'm going to take another look at my leftovers and see if I can come up with a border and binding. Everyone seems to think it would be the icing on the cake.

One more question: If I have to piece the white border, would the seam detract? That was my only hesitation.

Do not worry about seams. There are already so many seams, a couple more would be no big deal, but I would do at a 45 degree angle and press open.

Sure is pretty! You did a fantastic job on your HSTs!

I don't think I would add a border to this one and I'm one that usually does....I'd just bind it in the blue (if you have enough) and have it be finished....Nothing would take away from your beautiful HST's... :D

Both are very pretty, a red border would give the right patrotic zing.

I thought about that, but I have a red/white/blue that I am working on that has more than just a zing...

It's beautiful! I would go with the blue.

I think a white sawtooth edging would look very nice.

I would use a 2-3" white border then a blue batik or marble in a 3-4" border and use the same as binding.

Ok, sorry to be the only one that doesn't know what HST means but I'm still kind of new to this. Can you help me out?

I LOVE how you put your squares together.
What is the link to quilterscache that provides the pattern for the whole quilt?
I could only find the sawtooth square block.