I'm now thinking 9" border (I just really like the idea of a big border) with no inner border (which actually means the borders will be different sizes since the center isn't a real square OR I have to whack off those extra bits of orange I sewed on when two of the strips came out longer).
Anyway, I've ruled out spotty border (sorry to all of those who were fans of that one. don't worry, it will show up again). Here's the blue:
And now compare with the newer orange fabric.
Closer:
oh man, I'm thinking blue again. Siobhan, I hope you're still planning that visit - I need some help here. Meanwhile Pokey attacks - I don't think she likes this quilt at all... 
Sorry to confuse you with all the activity here. The Margarita Quilt has the center finished - those are 3"ish finished blocks - and you see the auditions above for the border. Meanwhile I have loads of blocks for another one or two or three quilts. Something new has appeared, what could it be?
I'm still focused on making them. Someday I'll make a decision and start sewing them together, but not yet.
48 comments:
I think I've got a solution -- you use the small blocks and the blue border for yourself, and then make a quilt with the mixed up sizes and the dotty or orange border and send it to me!
You know I'm not a border person, so I'm not the one to ask. Neither is speaking to me. I really did like the thin border before the thicker one... So cool that you made so many of these blocks and can try out several different ideas with them. I am starting to feel moved to do series of things, but find I lose patience and just want to get things together already!
I kept coming back to it and still love that blue the best. The orange is a fabulously hot color but the blue just grabs the blues in the blocks and pulls them out.
I like both borders, but I prefer the blue. It provides a little relief from the very hot colors, and it says "margaritas on the beach", something I love to hear!
You could also just bind it with the blue and let the colorful patches stand on their own.
Orange, definitely orange, without the border - as is - gorgeous. And then get it hung at the Musee d'Orsay.
I love it.
Oh wicked Pokey.
Gorgeous quilt!
Though Iove orange, I should not go for any borders, only a small ocean blue binding.
I like the blue. I think it sets off the center better. The comments are not going to help at all because everyone has a different opinion.
The blue really sings - but I agree with people who have suggested a narrow border.
I want to say the orange border as I love orange, but the blue looks best. And I definately say go for the BIG border, it will look awesome!
BLUE!!! For sure! Maybe a tine orange border first though, that's what I suggest.
I love the blue border, but how about a little border first in lime green??
Blue. I'm glad to see my cats aren't the only ones that attack projects that I'm trying to work on. Crazy animals. I love the colors in your top!!!
I love that orange, too, but the eye needs a place to rest. My vote is for a blue border -- and then a narrow binding in orange to keep up the "zing."
I like the blue for a calmer, cooler affect but the orange that pops and adds energy.
blue
What about finishing it with a pieced border? Maybe keep circling it with thin strips of fabric. Just an idea! The colors are so dynamic and cheerful.
Blue makes it pop (the orange seems to dull it down in the pic). Looks like water around a tropical island.
It's so bright and happy...makes me smile!
just 'cause I'm always contrary: both. Blue left & bottom, orange top and right....
All you need is another opinion, right? I prefer the blue border. It really sets off those warm tropical colors. Besides, it makes me think of floating in a pool while sipping on a cool tropical drink. I think both the spotty and orange borders diluted the blocks. They lost their punch surrounded by another warm color. How about using the spotty print as a backing?
It's gotta be blue!
I like both borders but think you should put a solid small border around the blocks to make them pop out from the final border. just a hint!
Orange works better with your original idea of a super-sunny Floridian quilt, but the blue is just so much more stunning! I vote blue :)
if you must have a broder I vote blue
Blue, blue, blue!!!
alright = first of all consider taking a strip say 1 inch or 1 1/2 inch. fold it in half and iron so it is now 1/2 or 3/4 inches wide. sew it around the 9 patches. that will set them off. comment two. a wide border of either fabric - blue or orange is way too much somehow. detracts from your blocks. strongly recommend the spots. it really looks good with your nine patches and doesn't detract. my last thought and don't groan too much. do the wide border with larger size 9 patches. probably a pain due to the math but would look really cool. especially if done in the same fabrics as the center:-)
deb
I still like the blue border the best, but I think using the orange for the binding would give it a final ZING! Just my humble opinion, ya know!
I vote for the blue .... the orange actually makes your blocks look washed out. A wide border is perfect with no smaller one.
Blue, blue, blue!
Hi Tonya,
I love the spots like Deb did- to me, it gave a fiesta look to the quilt. It is interesting to see all the different visions that people would come up for you. If it were me, I would use a skinny lime green border and then perhaps come up with a pieced border or something like the spotted fabric. You are a beautiful hand quilter so you will probably come up with a beautiful quilt design for a wide border. I would find the big border space too intimidating. It is a challenge to find the balance between the center and the outside of the quilt. I am sure you will come up with a wonderful solution- I will watch with interest what you decide.
Regards from a Western Canadian Quilter,
Anna
I think I like the orange better, but the blue would look good too. I like how each color brings out the squares of that color.
Get the spots back out! Hehehe, just to put a spanner in the works.
Both the blue and the orange look great, but the spotty looks sensational! The blue and orange showcase the fabulous block colours, but the spotty joins in with them and makes a whole wonderful colour statement. Depends on what you want to say.
I think both look really nice, I prefer the blue personally though. I think the blue makes the orange from the middle "pop" a bit more. More of a contrasting border where the orange blends well. Either one you pick will be great! I really like all the bright 9 patches!
Definitely blue. I think it helps bring out all the colours in the nine-patches where as the orange seems to be competing with it.
i vote no border, but if you have to have a border, then i vote blue. the blue makes the orange in the blocks stand out.
Oh man, I can't believe I"m saying this but Orange all the way!
What a can of worms you opened! Have you thought about what color thread you'll use to quilt either border? That might affect the final look of it too.
The orange makes the quilt look very hot (to the touch!). The blue, I think, does make the center stand out more. Where do you want the attention to be in the end? If you use the orange it may be in the border rather than the center. If you use the blue the attention may be more evenly balanced between the two portions. Just my two cents worth ;- )
Its gotta be the blue, the bright blue, with a red inner border. Yep, its gotta be the blue.
I think the orange is too much the same value as a lot of the colors in the 9 patches. The blue is a darker value and gives better contrast.
Blue is my vote - hands down.
I really like the orange fabric for the border. . . it makes the quilt bright & happy.
Good Luck with your decision making.
Sherry
Blue! Blue! Blueeeeeee!
I really like the orange border but the blue does give you that really strong contrast. I look forward to seeing how it all comes together!
Boy, look at all the comments. ;) I love these blocks, always have. Since orange is one of my favorite colors (although you'd be hard pressed to tell) I'd say go with orange.
My favorite thing: POKEY!!! I love her opinion. She's hilarious.
Blue, please! I don't even like blue, in general. However, in this case it serves to make the colors I like look good!
Jan
I love the blue color for the border. It really makes the quilt pop much more than the orange. I'm not sure about the 9" border though. I think it might overpower the quilt.
The top is fabulous. Those bold blocks really are great! I think I wouldn't use either blue or orange--but something entirely different. Maybe a white print with little bright colored squiggles? I don't know what those fabrics are called, but they look like modern versions of shirtings w/very bright colors. Or try Freddy Moran's palette and use black and white, (zebra print?) I know, I know, but I had to mention it--I LOVE zebra prints. It sounds crazy, but I look at a lot of things before I choose, some of them work; some don't.
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