Design input on border fabrics?

[Jean Sewing Machine]

Here's what I think would happen with the orange. Your eye would be immediately drawn to the orange. I think a border should not compete with the blocks and in this case, it definitely would compete for attention. It should frame the picture, not be the focus of the picture.

[sewlucky]

What about that Light colored background with the fine orange/blue geometric large border, a grey or blue skinny border and that fun orange print Claire likes as the binding???

Jean has a good point.

Terri

Here's what I think would happen with the orange. Your eye would be immediately drawn to the orange. I think a border should not compete with the blocks and in this case, it definitely would compete for attention. It should frame the picture, not be the focus of the picture.

[Claire OneStitchAtATime]

So what would you suggest, Jean? It's hard to match the blue in the petals in the floral & we did look at some samples with that blue but it is so different from the darker blue none of us really thought it worked. At least, not with the fabric range there, & since it's their class, I feel I should buy from them.

[Hulamoon]

Listening to us is just like your store staff. Do a little 'audition" and see what "you" like.

[QuiltingRN]

I like the orange in the second pic. I would do a thin orange border, then a larger blue border and possibly bind in orange. You should audition some strips to see what "speaks" to you.

[Sylvia H]

Using the materials you have displayed, I would do three borders. First, a narrow dark blue, second, an even narrower orange, and third - either dark blue again (and bind in either orange or dark blue) - or the lighter colored fabric in your quilt, bound with the dark blue. I LOVE the cream colored fabric with the orange and blue in it, but I think the design doesn't compliment the other fabrics in the quilt. I would, however, consider using it as my backing.

[Claire OneStitchAtATime]

Update. I bought the orange in the second picture for the first narrow border, and the dark blue that is in the blocks for a second wider border. Also will bind in that dark blue. I bought the geometric orange/cream for the back, with a little extra so I can try out a second skinny border in between the darker orange & the dark blue. I'm not sure if I'll like it as a border. We will see!

And I bought a yard of the bright orange with the leaves & seeds for -- well -- because I love it. For someone who started Second Hand Rose & joined Shop your Stash First there is a teeny bit of irony there. But I love it. So my stash is growing. So sue me.

[sewlucky]

Use something from your stash WITH the new purchase - that's a win win!!

[rebeccas-sewing]

Two borders - My choice for the first narrow border would be either a narrow black or narrow white border (probably black). The second border would be wider in the dark blue print. Another choice might be narrow white border with a wider black second border. I see there is some orange in the quilt but it is so minimal that I don't think going with the orange is the best choice. I agree with Jean.

[MommaTails]

I love the idea of being bolder with colors! I'm not the biggest fan of multiple borders (Just for my own projects, love them with what others have done). The top fabric from the first picture is really pretty and catches my eye. I would personally go with a slightly thinner border.
Also thought that maybe do a blue border (maybe a light blue to match the specks in the dot flowers) and use the orange for binding. The orange would really pop but not over power the quilt itself.

Jacobs ladder is a personal favorite and yours is very gorgeous! Can't wait to see it complete