Border help?

[SF Jen]

Dear quilters,

My sister has tried to reduce her stash by increasing mine. She sent me a large box with unfinished projects. Although I am grateful to her, this is overwhelming for the beginner that I am.

One envelope contained about 100 or so 5 inch squares of colorful fabric. So I tried to reduce the number I had by making this quilt. However, although there is a balance of red and blue colors, it seem very busy and needs taming.

Do you have suggestions? A border of some sort? Colors?

You are an amazing, generous group! In advance, thanks for any and all suggestions.

20180129_123424 smallest.jpg

[Snip Snip]

Re: Border help?

Yes, a pretty red or blue border would be nice. If you have enough of one of those prints in the squares, that would be good. Otherwise, probably just a solid color would look fine. Or, a narrow blue and a wider red.

[Cokie]

Re: Border help?

A narrow border in a neutral color (white or off-white - whatever matches or coordinates with your squares), then a wider border of a solid would really set it off. You did a great job.

[jjkaiser]

Re: Border help?

I make a lot of scrap quilts and find that a little black and white really calms the wildness down. Do you have any b/w jelly roll strips you could audition next to the quilt? Another possibility is newsprint fabric which I love to use, and always have on hand, because it seems to go with everything (except dainty florals and stark white) it is usually actually black and cream rather than white white. If you could pair up some auditioned samples and take some more photos I would love to vote! This is always a fun yet exasperating part making this final decision. I love your quilt though and you are doing a really great job on it.

I just took another look at your picture and a thought came to mind...If you could find a very narrow stripe, one blue/white one red/white. Cut them so your stripes will be horizontal. Put the two blue/white ones on the red sides and the red/white ones on the two blue sides, to kind of balance out the color. I have some red/white with a strong red wave in it I could send you but I don't have the corresponding fabric in blue, and I really think if you are going that route the two fabrics would have to mirror each other or it wouldn't look right. Just something else to think about!

[Squeaky]

Re: Border help?

A stop border (narrow) then a pieced border with more of the prints might look nice?
You could even cut some squares in half and sew them together in a braid-like configuration for the outer border.
___________
/\/\/\/\/\/\

[JCY]

Re: Border help?

How about a narrow border of navy blue? Cut strips 1.5" wide, so it finishes at 1". Then a 2-3" outer border of light blue?

[Star lover]

Re: Border help?

A stop border (narrow) then a pieced border with more of the prints might look nice?
You could even cut some squares in half and sew them together in a braid-like configuration for the outer border.
___________
/\/\/\/\/\/\

This is what came to my mind, when I saw your quilt. With the stop border being a light color. Great job with your scored stash! It's gonna be beautiful! Trust your instincts!

[Carol336]

Re: Border help?

A narrow border in a neutral color (white or off-white - whatever matches or coordinates with your squares), then a wider border of a solid would really set it off. You did a great job.

Ditto what Cokie said

[SF Jen]

Re: Border help?

Thanks, Everyone!

The addition of two borders, one narrower than the other is something I hadn't thought about. I'll grab some more scraps and try each of your suggestions.

[SF Jen]

Re: Border help?

Thanks for the suggestions!

Here are some possibilities:

bblw.jpgbrlb.jpgbwlb.jpglb.jpgbbbw.jpgblcr.jpg

1-6 possibilities...I think the first one: small white border with larger black border may be a possibility.

Thanks for any additional thoughts,too.

SF Jen

[LuLuQuilts]

Re: Border help?

I like the first option best too. It's a really cute quilt!

[sewluvit]

Re: Border help?

I also prefer the first one. It will be an awesome quilt! Now I'm planning to pull out all my leftover 5 inch squares and try this too

[SF Jen]

Re: Border help?

Thanks to all for your suggestions and the forum help. The quilt now has borders and needs to be quilted.

Thanks especially to jjkaiser who recommended the black and white borders. This has really been an educational experience (as they used to say in high school!)

scrappy.jpg

[nativetexan]

Re: Border help?

I am liking the first one too!!

[jjkaiser]

Re: Border help?

I really like the black and white borders!! Isn't it fun making scrap quilts?!!!