Sunday, October 20, 2013

DWM: border decisions

This month has been a bust as far as quilting accomplishments go. I gave up on setting the  apple blocks.  

Now I am stuck on the border for Postage Stamp Stars.   I thought that a checkerboard middle border would be great. I spent Saturday evening (TV night) sewing 1.5" squares in 3's (light-dark-light) to intersperse with the dark-light-dark 9 patches I had made in such quantity.  When I pinned the resulting checkerboard strips to the design wall I wasn't pleased -- too many checkers in the checkerboard.

Okay, another idea.  These units are 3.5 x 3.5 (unfinished). The tans are scrappy. The red print is the same throughout. (It is a different red print from what I used in the stars.) 
The red/tan stripe would be ideal -- but there's only 26" of it.  I'll have to cut skinny strips (1.5 to finish at 1") if I want to frame the units on both sides.

Of course I could break down and BUY something similar to that red/tan stripe.  Those of you who are stashbusting scrap quilters know that the challenge and thrill is to make do with what's on hand! 

Buy fabric, did I say?  Here's this week's Salvation Army bargain: a Ralph Lauren all-cotton twin sheet set (the pinstripes) and a piece that's 6.5 yds x 58" (the blue check)  -- total, with tax, $7.66.

"Homespun Knots" is the quilt on my bed right now. I made it in 2007 and Caron Carlson  quilted it. It's still one of my favorites.   Homespun plaids are not much in style these days, but I still have plenty in my stash.

See what un-stuck quilters are working on this Design Wall Monday at Judy's Patchwork Times .



9 comments:

  1. I really like the second option, the slants on the triangles is a chanceperfect echo to the points on the stars. Maybe a red that reads solid?? I love the blocks, I had to order the book after seeing your quilt.

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  2. I agree with Lori. The variety in the triangles of the second border option makes for an eye appealing finish.

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  3. My vote goes to the second option also. the checkers feel too busy and the second option isn't as busy and sets off the top more. ~Melanie

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  4. Decisions, decisions. I love the stripe, not so enamored of the triangles. Something will speak to you soon. Or you can always put it on the back burner for a week or two and let it simmer, so to speak.

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  5. I guess I always have to be different. I would use the checkerboard border but put a narrow red border between it and the stars. I like the busy look.

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  6. I have to go with Gari. I love the look of the checker board, and also think that a red border between the checker board and the quilt would calm it down and unify it all.

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  7. i actually love the checkerboard border....that would be my choice....very pretty quilt and oh so scrappy!

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  8. I love the 2nd border option - how about posting a (closer) photo of the red-tan stripe and doing a swap with somebody? Great homespun quilt on your bed!

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  9. Nann, I love that homespun! did you use unbleached muslin for the background? It looks like a uniform or constant rather than scrappy. nice work!
    As for your design decisions, I predict that something will come to you very soon.

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