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Wednesday, August 13, 2008

More border candidates

I pulled out my boxes of black and white batik fabrics to audition some different pieces for the border of the quilt I showed yesterday. I did not intend to put on a border when I made it. The reason I am even trying a border is because I am still a little unhappy with the blacks and whites sprinkled in amongst the color and think it looks a little spotty. I thought maybe a black and white border would solidify the design. This is the positive leaf print that is in the wallhanging.
This is the negative leaf print.
Here are some strips that I cut for another project and didn't use. It is kind of like pebbles.

Here is a bigger zebra print, maybe a little overbearing. Oh and by the way I have at least 3 more sizes of zebra print too. This is another print that was used in the piecing of the blocks. I think it just brings your attention to that print in the center instead of unifying it.
About half of the commenters didn't care for the zebra print that I used yesterday, the other half thought it was perfect. Like Vicky F said in her comment, when you enlarge the picture by clicking on it, it doesn't look gray. In real life I think it looks more black and white than gray.


Any suggestions today? I love comments. All you have to remember is that I am the final judge of how it will be finished.
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37 comments:

  1. dotAugust 13, 2008 at 8:44 AM

    Oh I like the zebra print.

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  2. EmmaAugust 13, 2008 at 10:08 AM

    Definitely the dark leaf print!

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  3. Mary Ann LittlejohnAugust 13, 2008 at 10:08 AM

    I vote for negative leaf print.

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  4. AnonymousAugust 13, 2008 at 10:19 AM

    I still think the first zebra print is perfect.
    It doesn't draw attention to itself but sets off what you have already done.
    KS

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  5. AnonymousAugust 13, 2008 at 10:31 AM

    After looking at the quilt again and the lower edge being not even it gave me another thought for you.
    What if you did seams where you added the border that was slightly curved to follow some of the irregularity you get with that type of block?
    It would intergrate the border fabric and quilt better, IMHO.
    KS

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  6. QuiltdivajulieAugust 13, 2008 at 10:46 AM

    First reaction is the negative leaf print (wow!).
    Second would be the bubbles.

    Do not like the last option (the one that is used in the piecing) - that one looks "added on."

    What are you considering for the binding? For me, that would play into the final decision.

    Thanks for letting us join in the auditioning fun!!

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  7. Lisa D.August 13, 2008 at 10:47 AM

    I really like the small zebra print you auditioned yesterday. As for today's choices, I like the pebble print.

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  8. AnonymousAugust 13, 2008 at 10:57 AM

    "Pebble Print" is outstanding!

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  9. Fiber BabbleAugust 13, 2008 at 10:58 AM

    Wow, it looks like you're going to get a little of everything today, at least re opinions here. :-)

    I, too, like the negative leaf, but I also like the last one. I agree that it brings your attention to the b/w print, but it also looks (to me, of course) like the b/w is behind the entire quilt and windows are cut out of the colors to let the b/w show through.

    Are you really sure that you even want a b/w print border? I know you're queen of color - at least in my world - but have you auditioned salmon or pink (I'm looking at the colors along the upper right side on the screen) or the orange-ish that's almost smack in the middle of the quilt?

    You can be queen of color. I am queen of Plan B. heh.

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  10. SequanaAugust 13, 2008 at 11:13 AM

    I'm not sure I'm really crazy about any of them, but this I know:

    I WANT YOUR B/W STASH!!!!

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  11. Elsie MontgomeryAugust 13, 2008 at 11:20 AM

    I still like the first one too. When I enlarge it, the center of the quilt is the first thing I look at, not the border, but the b&w in the center moves my eyes to the border, then the colors in the middle pull my eye back to it.

    I'm with sequana... love that b&w stash

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  12. Jeanne Turner McBrayerAugust 13, 2008 at 11:22 AM

    I have to agree that I don't think any of the b&w prints work for this border. Perhaps a solid black?

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  13. jovaliquiltsAugust 13, 2008 at 11:42 AM

    I guess I'm in a minority, but I don't like the leaf print. I really like the pebble print, though!

    This is so much fun, I love looking at various possibilities!!

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  14. elisepearsonAugust 13, 2008 at 11:53 AM

    I like yesterday's zebra print the best, and today's pebble print as a second choice. It's a beautiful quilt!

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  15. AnonymousAugust 13, 2008 at 12:12 PM

    The last time I was looking at black and white prints for a border, I ended up piecing strips together of several different ones. Would you consider a pieced border of squares with strips around (your inner blocks) but done in black with white print centers and white with black print stripes and vice versa? You then could incorporate the black/white squares from the quilt as well as add more black/white prints. Jane

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  16. JanAugust 13, 2008 at 12:26 PM

    It's so interesting to see how much different prints change the overall impression. That said, I still think the original zebra print borders show the center off to its best advantage. To my eyes, it was (is) the perfect choice.

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  17. JoyceAugust 13, 2008 at 12:33 PM

    I like the negative leaf print too. And I too am impressed by your B&W stash.

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  18. Vicki WAugust 13, 2008 at 12:33 PM

    Opinions - we've all got them! LOL! I love the pebble print. Have you tried a small solid black inner border with any of the BW prints? I wonder what that would do to the overall effect.

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  19. Julie BagamaryAugust 13, 2008 at 12:43 PM

    I thought yesterday of the pebbles print that I put in a batik piece awhile back. I've saved tiny scraps of it and wished I'd bought more at the time. I think the pebbles are a good black/white mix that compliments the piece.

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  20. CathiAugust 13, 2008 at 12:54 PM

    I still prefer the zebra print from yesterday but the negative leaf print is a close second.
    I would love to come play in your black and white batik stash!! Wow! :-)

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  21. quiltmom annaAugust 13, 2008 at 12:57 PM

    HI Wanda,
    I like the idea of a small black border as a stop border- I like the negative leaf print the best.

    I don't usually like to use a fabric on the border that is in the body of the quilt so I am less keen on the original zebra print. It draws my eye to the zebra print and away from the rest of the beautiful quilts.

    Keep exploring you will find the one that works for you.

    By the way, I have been collecting some 30's fabrics to use with the giveway pieces- there will be a new quilt yet.

    Regards,
    Anna

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  22. DianeAugust 13, 2008 at 1:04 PM

    I forced myself to not read anyone else's comments before I made my own. Personally, I prefer yesterday's small zebra print the best. Most of the others have too much white, which draws the eye away from the center of the quilt. Have you thought about a batik that has both color and black in it (I know you've gotta have one)? Perhaps the repetition of black will be enough to unify it. The white is just too strong. Good luck!

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  23. Paula, the quilterAugust 13, 2008 at 2:31 PM

    My first choice is yesterday's zebra print and the second choice is the pebbles. Now, I'd like to propose something a little different. Have you considered only 3 borders? Top and 2 sides and then just face the bottom uneven edge. I like the last 2 photos where you have left the bottom uneven. This is a wall quilt, right? If it isn't, then nevermind the uneven edge comment.

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  24. AnonymousAugust 13, 2008 at 2:55 PM

    I like the last picture...for some reason, that particular print makes the colored portions look as if they were laid upon a larger whole cloth background, which then peeks through at various spots through the middle and of course, around the edges. I like that.

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  25. Tracey in CTAugust 13, 2008 at 2:58 PM

    My favorite is the zebra print you showed yesterday.

    Second favorite is that one that looks like the pebbles (#3)

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  26. AnonymousAugust 13, 2008 at 3:14 PM

    I like the bubble or open print, because it looks like you are peeking through the quilt and seeing it behind as well as on the edge. I do think a tiny black inner border might somehow define the middle better than just an outer border.

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  27. AnonymousAugust 13, 2008 at 7:31 PM

    I like the first zebra print, i like the idea of putting a black smaller border first, than the zebra print.Wig,

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  28. AnonymousAugust 13, 2008 at 7:39 PM

    Wow... 26 comments! We all feel like we are now a part of your blog family, and can freely voice an opinion. (*._,*)

    I did not see the piece from you 'stash' that is black with the woven bamboo like print, as a border. I'll wait for that one before I vote.

    J~MT

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  29. AnonymousAugust 13, 2008 at 8:13 PM

    I like the bubble/pebble print. With the circles, it adds another dimension to the rectangles/squares.

    Pam

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  30. Elaine AdairAugust 13, 2008 at 8:40 PM

    Pebbles, or the last print. They give the appearance of the blocks laying on TOP of that entire piece.

    This is going to be interesting to see your finished item. No matter what, I KNOW it will turn out wonderful!

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  31. AnonymousAugust 13, 2008 at 10:05 PM

    Hi Wanda,
    I like the original zebra print first, and the negative leaves second.
    These two quiet the quilt down, while all the other choices are "screamers", i.e. "look at me! look at me!"
    It will be fun to see what you decide!

    Vicky F

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  32. MarilynAugust 13, 2008 at 10:37 PM

    I vote for the pebbles. I agree with Elaine Adair that it gives the appearance that the quilt is laid on top of the pebble fabric. To me that is the wow effect.

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  33. AnonymousAugust 13, 2008 at 10:57 PM

    Since you don't need a professional decision (thank goodness for that!) I vote for something else.

    I like the scale of the pebbles/bubble piece, but not that one in particular.

    I really like the zebra prints, but one is too large and one is too small. I feel like Goldilocks, waiting for one that is "Just right".

    Every quilt I have seen of yours is beautiful, so I can't wait to see what your final decision is. Thank you for sharing the process with us.

    Your stash makes mine look like a childs dress up box.

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  34. JeanneAugust 14, 2008 at 12:07 AM

    I would choose the negative leaf print for the border. Wonder which one you will choose.

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  35. AnonymousAugust 14, 2008 at 12:11 AM

    If it was my quilt I would choose the last one. To my mind it ties it all together having the small squares in the quilt and the border the same fabric.
    Just my 2 cents worth!

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  36. ClareAugust 14, 2008 at 4:07 AM

    Goodness. What an amazing black and white stash. I think the last one - it draws the centre out.

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  37. The Idaho BeautyAugust 15, 2008 at 8:46 PM

    I don't think a border is what it needs. Have you considered just a wide binding of one of the b&w prints?

    ReplyDelete

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