Originally Posted by Lisa_wanna_b_quilter

To my eye, option 2 is a more striking quilt. I like the wide black border. Somehow it looks more elegant to me.

Originally Posted by QuiltnNan

does your software allow you to remove the outlines of the blocks and patches? my EQ does with a right click on the quilt picture. i think if there were a view that way, it would help with the decision. since it is only black and white fabrics, the outlines make it look like there is an additional design around the blocks. the sashing will float the black background blocks from each other. not sashing will give it a 'harlequin' look. for borders, i like the lighter one, without the wide black.

Originally Posted by QandE2010

Thank you so much. I did not know it, but YES, my software does allow the outlines to be removed. I did that and it gives it an entirely different look, as you mentioned. I am going to try to add those pictures and delete the first ones. Wish me luck.

Originally Posted by QuiltE

Someone once said that borders should never be the same size. OK, there's not rules ... however, since then, I've watched that, and have noted the ones I like better/worse seem to follow that thought.

Just a thought .... for Option 2, play with the widths of the borders a bit. I think you'd get just a wee bit more wow-power if the wider black border was just a tad wider!

Originally Posted by QandE2010

I changed the borders on option 2 to be 1 - 3 - 6 (instead of 1-4-5) and it did make it look more elegant. Thanks.

This is why I spend lots of time on this board. I love all the comments and suggestions. Thanks to everyone for their comments. So far it looks like #2 will win out. Prior to posting the pictures, I was truly stumped and kept waffling back and forth. I am going to lay it out tomorrow and will make my final decision. Then onto the job of putting it together.