RatherB Quilting

Hi there,
So, I am about to finally finish off this quilt top and I am stymied. All that's left is the borders. I am stumped as to what I should do. I have included pictures of two options. I didn't think that the border of just the paisly was enough...it was missing something. I wasn't sure if the thin border of the blue was...well, too much of the same patterned material. Any advice? Any other options other than the one shown?
And lastly...should I quilt it myself or pay to have it quilted?? What would you all suggest for quilting if I quilt it myself? I want it to be pretty since it is for the daughter of a friend who is going into her second year of college. However, I SUCK at free motion quilting.
Ok. Too many qualifiers, I know.
Any suggestions would be really really welcome!
PLEASE HELP!

craftybear

wow awesome

bkb

i like the print border. that is a really cool quilt!

fun2quilt

I think I would go with a little wider blue border then the paisley on the outside. Great looking quilt, the recipient will love it!

Kathy

Candace

If you "suck" at FMQ and you want it to be nice, then yes, I'd suggest you have someone do it up for you. I don't think SITD would showcase this top very well. I think it's great, and I like it a lot!

midwifehc

I like the thin blue border first...it sets off the large paisley border. Great choice of material for a stack and whack.

no1jan

I like the print border also.

How did you make the squares? Fussy cut? It is very nice!

bkb

i agree with midwifehc that little strip of blue sets off the paisley wide border.

omak

I agree ... I think for symmetry and punch, the blue strip cut at the same size as the little cornerstone squares (the blue part) and stitched in with the paisley wider border will be very classy.
And, for the binding, I think I would go with the blue again ...
As for quilting, I think the pattern is begging to be stitched straight along the seams ... not stitch in the ditch, but move over 1/4" or more and both sides of the seams for the center parts of the blocks (echo quilting) ... in the sashing, you can do a loop d' loop, or flowing lines ... a lot of your decisions about quilting is what you purpose the quilt for, and how far apart the recommended quilting distance.
Some batting recommends that you stitch no further apart than two inches. I have found Warm and Natural cotton that allows for stitching ten inches apart. On the two inch distance, it means you are dealing with a batting that won't stand up well to lots of washing and use before it starts balling up and becomes lumps within the stitching lines.
Ten inches apart may seem like a long distance, but that is just telling you that the batting is woven together well enough that you can tie the quilt.
Stay with a low loft batting so that the quilt drapes and wraps.
The less quilting, the more "comfy" and cuddly the quilt is. The more quilting, the more intricate your design can be.
It is a beautiful quilt. <wave>

RatherB Quilting

Sorry...I know someone mentioned once that we should always name our quilt patterns....so...it is a stack and whack from the book "magic stack and whack quilts" by Bethany Reynolds. :)