I've been working away on this same Split 9-Patch and making decisions on the border. It seemed that a WHITE border was my best choice, but it looks kinda wimpy and washed out. I've used this technique before, when the block seems to stop too abruptly, and some version of the block would look good repeated out into the border. I wanted my border to be all one piece, not broken up into segments just to add the blue or red triangles. I think my fusing method saves time, (assuming you remember to put the fusible on the correct side at the get-go!).
I've faced the triangles with fusible interfacing, turned them right side out and INSERTED that unit between the border fabric and the quilt top. It cuts down on the effect of so much WHITE border, and it also blends the block into the border. BTW, after turning, these can be pressed gently with an applique pressing sheet - what a great invention!
Be sure to configure the background border with enough room for the fused triangles. When the quilt top is finished and pressed, I fuse them down, then blanket stitch them permanently with invisible thread, before quilting.
The blue plaid is my last border. This is a humble scrappy quilt - those triangles in the border do NOT have sharp points - I can live with that. But ... what if a person made them roundish? Another possibility for another quilt.
Except for the borders, I only pulled fabrics from my 2 1/2 inch box. I also made 10 Spools Blocks and 8 other blocks from that same box. hmmmm, now the box barely closes at all!
Elaine, that is a great tip! Thanks.
ReplyDeleteGreat solution to avoid having to piece the border.
ReplyDeleteI had considered doing something similar to salvage an old UFO that already had borders on but needed the center design extended and I wasn't sure how to handle the fusing -- you've nailed it and I'll have to pull that one back out at some point. Thanks for the inspiration!!!
That's really clever!
ReplyDeleteYou are so smart! What a great way to avoid the headache of trying to piece this and make it fit. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteClever you! So much easier than cutting the border piece. I have one of those pressing sheets and absolutely love it! You are right. It's a wonderful invention.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you shared this!!! b/c for both my 1930's Jewel Boxes and also my "My Blue Heaven" quilts I want to continue the pattern out a little into the border areas... and didn't really know how I was gonna do it...
ReplyDeleteoh and before I forget - when I clicked over to your blog tonight I was completely WOWED - your split 9 patch blocks have looked great before... but tonight as a whole top - WOW! What a show stopper! ;) Love it!!!
Love from Texas! ~bonnie
What a fantastic idea. The triangles really set off the quilt but I would never have thought of blanket stitching them on top. All the piecing would have stopped me right there. Great idea!
ReplyDeleteVery clever! Thanks for sharing the tip I know I will use this one in the future.
ReplyDelete