Every once in a while, I hit a dead-end with my quilting/design process. This current project CENTER is just wonderful, but that border ain't agonna do it! I was determined that the continuation of squares in the border was just the ticket. For my bed, I need at least 12 inches added to each side (like 2 6-inch blocks - same as the inner size blocks?). I tried dark squares -- the result was murky, then I tried sprinkling the dark with light - that resulted in looking hit and miss, then I made them half and half light/dark - result was spotty and distracting, and tonight, in a fit of self-pity and irritation, I picked it up off the floor and put the entire mess in a box! There are bunches of squares in various stages of 4-patches that I can use in another project if necessary. I did NOT put away the center of this quilt -- I like this too much -- but I AM DISCOURAGED!!!! The beigey/tan tone to the darker border wasn't working since the center has more clear values, especially the lights.
I had hoped to put SOMETHING related but different than the center, a bit darker in value. I could just continue the pattern all the way to the edge, but that seems to be a bit of a cop out. I can also head to the fabric store for a perfect border print, but THAT's a bit of a cop out also and I WAS hoping to keep it as a STASHBUSTER. HELP! Wahhhhh! Large Broken Dishes would repeat the shape?
Oh, Elaine, we are both border challenged this week! I have a dreadful border on my pretty log cabin quilt...see my blog for pictorial evidence.. I think the large broken dishes pattern would be wonderful!!
ReplyDeleteJulieQ
The quilt top looks great and I took a long time to find the block you said in another post had a mistake. How about repeating the pinwheels and patches out into the border? I really don't know. I know sometimes I just need to sleep on it and then in the morning--solution.
ReplyDeleteHow about breaking up that wide border of colorful squares by inserting a border or two of the same green or a combination of your other colors in the same value. A solution will come to you.
ReplyDeleteWhat about a nuetral border with a nice vine applique? I don't know how much time you are wanting to invest but this seems like a nice solution to me. It will come, some things just can't be rushed.
ReplyDeleteI agree those patches just dont work.
ReplyDeleteI would go for broken dishes or something rather plain. Because you have so much variety in the center a quiet border would be nice.
Just my thoughts.
I don't know if this would work but what if you used the same block that's in the center but used it straight rather than on point. That would put the double 4 patches would be on point in the border and the colored sides would make a zig-zag. I'd want the 4 patch corners to contrast with the edge triangles to get a more definite square on point look. I hope this makes sense.
ReplyDeleteWhat I would do is carry out the pattern of the center into the border. I think three rows of the same blocks all the way around would do it. And that way you can use all of what you've already pieced. This is similar to what I did for the scrappy Broken Dishes I did last year and I loved the way that looked. By using the same two blocks it would certainly tie together with the center.
ReplyDeleteIt will come to you . . . just let it rest a little. I find when I quit thinking about something is when the solution just pops into my head.
ReplyDeleteOh man, I am impressed that you are willing to try out different borders. I Hate, with a capital H borders. The idea of making multiple "things" to try to gt the border to work is foreign to me! Keep going though, I have no doubt that the idea will hit you at 2 in the morning and be perfect!
ReplyDeleteWalk away from it and try to do something else - a solution will come!
ReplyDeleteI might try pinwheels, like in the quilt followed by another green border. Or just some white on white and another green border. Something will grab you when you least expect it!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely quilt. How about contrasting triangles in the border to pick up all the triangles in the blocks. I don't really know how, just thought that those triangles in there could carry on the theme.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Barbara. use the unit that has the squares on point if you will with the triangles made of the white/green for corners. then down the side will give like a sawtooth border that says I'm done.
ReplyDeletewhatever you do it will be wonderful. that way you can also use up those squares you've sewn. may have to repick them apart into 4x4 but at least wont become another ufo.LOL
have fun auditioning borders.
I'm no help but I know you will come up with the perfect solution, Elaine. The center is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteIt IS a beautiful center - maybe the best thing to do is make the center wider so it fits your bed? Just give it a rest and sooner or later the perfect solution will come along.
ReplyDeleteCheers!
Evelyn
This quilt is absolutely beautiful! I love the colors!
ReplyDeleteLynn
http://lynnquilts.blogspot.com/
I think this pieced border is just too wide, you need a 4 patch or 9 patch border and then another larger solid border to frame it....this just seems like too much piecing to me....too busy. I agree you should continue though because this will be a gorgeous quilt!
ReplyDeleteI had this exact thing happen to me this past summer. And I was trying to do the same border as yours too.
ReplyDeleteThe conventional thinking is that using an element from the main block is a good idea for the border, but sometimes it just doesn't work. As you and I both have learned! (It's always a learning experience, isn't it?
Well--you could try a plain border, or a plain border with applique. And this is probably a far-out suggestion, but I've had good luck sometimes with a border with NO relation to the interior, like maybe a sawtooth of some kind, maybe in two colors.
How about making stripes the same size as the individual pieces in your blocks, with the stripes all pointing toward the center? That would pick up the colors, but provide a different graphic element, plus focus the eye on the center.
ReplyDelete