I agree with those that said blue but I would go with a darker blue that would make the lighter colors in the braid POP. I think black would be too dark.

It's beautiful! Make sure you post a picture of the finished quilt so we can see what you decided.

Cindy

Love, love, love it. Is there a pattern name. Would love to make one for me!

I have to agree with Mad ... blue between the braids, maybe a patterned fabric if you don't want to do applique.

It's a variation of French Braid. This is simply "braid", I think.

Oooo...it's pretty!

Do you have to use just one fabric for the strips between the braids? Have you tried using 3 different colors or 3 shades of one color, maybe a dark for the center strip and medium for the two outside strips, then a light of the same color for the first border?

I would lay the strips out and put different fabrics between them to "audition" them.

Ok, Barbm, did I get this right? You want an 18" strip down the center of the bed top, flanked by two of the braids that will have framing strips to get to 10" and then 2 more 18" strips on each side of the bed top with the last two braids as overhang? Please confirm...I'm thinkin' that most don't realize that the braids are not goin to be the true focus of the quilt...the wider sections will be the visual impact once this quilt is on the bed...at least that's the way I'm "seeing" it.
But, if you make one more braid and center with a braid then the braid will take center stage visually and you'll reduce the size of the open sections.... great place for some quilting!

I think black would look great, but think I would put it down the sides also to give it a finished look. And I agree, piano key border would be stunning.

i actually like the black idea for sashings. they wanted scrappy so i wouldn't pick up colors in the pieces you've done.
looks great so far.

I made one of these for myself, my pattern was called Pioneer Braid; used cream for the strips and am very satisfied with it. For the side borders I made strips using about 12-15" of a braid strip then a cream strip, but a piano key would look good also.