In the photo below you can see the fabric I used on the back. It is a batik I picked up on sale many years ago. I had a limited amount of it and that determined how wide the pieced border would be.
There was quite a discussion in the comments for my post yesterday. Most people think I should add color to the quilt I showed. Below is another black and white also started in 2007. One of these 2 quilts, the one shown yesterday, and this one, is going to be just black and white with no color added. I love black and white photography and I think the one below relates more to that because it has a full range of value from white to black. Maybe this is the one that shouldn't have color added, and the one yesterday should.
Any opinions on that?
43 comments:
WOW! The black and white quilt shown here is very graphic and pleasing to my eyes. I would vote to leave this one b&w only. Also enjoy the blue quilt shown.
Somehow a quilt seems different from a B&W photo, though I don't know why. A little color, not much, in the quilt can make the whole thing come alive and be more interesting. This circle one is a very neat quilt, though, and The stark b&w with the many shades of grey is much more interesting than the pinwheel one, which is a dancing shape and seems to beg for a little color. I don't think just a colored border would do, I think it needs to be integrated into the quilt.
Even a passionate lover of colour would probably agree to leave this one as it is. Very interesting! What a great effect if put in a white room with black designer chairs like Eames and modern b&w photographs!
The black and white circle quilt here is stunning as is.... don't add color to it as the shapes are interesting enough without it.
Something doesn't looke quite right about the black and white pinwheels... well, to me anyway. Maybe you need color... or maybe just more of a solid black or solid white to ground it. I don't know... I like my pinwheels with lots and lots of color - like kids pinwheels.
The subtle value changes in this quilt are fantastic. It makes a bold statement without any color IMHO.
Zounds! I love the black and white circle quilt and agree that it stands well on its own without color. It's such a wonderful quilt it propelled me out of my usual daily lurker mode!
Don't change a thing on this one! It's amazing just as it is!
The quilt is really pretty. I like the fact that it has been a WIP for quite a while. Gives me hope for some of my projects!!
The B&W in this post is absolutely perfect as it is. It's beautiful! The other one is pretty too, but completely different. You have a great eye for color, or no color, and whatever you choose will be right on!
No, no...leave this one alone. Don't add any color to it at all...if you absolutely need some color, do it on the label on the back.
Who would have thought strips and curves would look this great in black and white ? Remember the rule of less is more and this is one that has it all without any additons. It doesn't need borders it is dramatic as is.
Louise
Just as it is,Wig.
Don't add color to this one! It is stunning just as it is!!
Adding color to the one from yesterday would work, but I'd personally leave today's just as it is. I love it. And the blue one is fantastic!
Love your quilt of today -- very dynamic and pleasing to the eye...If it were mine I would do a faced binding and not add a regular binding to the edges.I think a hard black line as a binding would take away from the amazing circles! I have to agree with others who felt a splash of something colorful to yesterday's B/W quilt would make it really sing! Even one pinwheel block in the border with bright colors....I so enjoy reading your blog:)
I love your (old, but new)blue crazy...aren't you so glad it's finished........as for the B/W....i think a sutle finish is in order!
I am the person who says YUCK when she sees a black and white quilt... UNTIL NOW!!! YOWZA!! This is so striking and breathtaking. It does remind me of an old black and white photo where they capture all the drama and shadows. Do not put a lick of color in this one. It is perfection just as it is. GORGEOUS!!!!
I love this one. Don't add anything! It's perfect!
Deliberately skipped the other comments (until after I add my own).
This circular quilt needs nothing more - it is absolutely spectacular!
The b&w yesterday needs a bit of "something" as a narrow stop border or an especially striking binding - I suspect you have just the "pow" black on black or black with a teeny bit of white that will provide that bit of "wow" without adding an additional color.
[but, if you choose to consider a red headed woodpecker, or a cardinal or blue jay on a snowy tree branch ~ a flash of color would absolutely work in the second quilt ~ so it is truly a matter of personal taste]
I, too, love B&W photography - Ansel Adams particularly.
I hope you stick to your original plan (black-capped chickadees and juncos are two of my favorites).
I agree that this circle quilt is stunning enough in its value changes and dynamic interest to handle staying b/w. It's very captivating! The other b/w quilt cries out to me for the addition of some color. Just sharing my thoughts. I really enjoy your blog and the work that you so freely share. Thanks!
The blue quilt turned out fabulous!! As they say, slow and steady wins the race. This Black and White Quilt looks like a Strips and Curves from Louisa Smith? I am taking a class from her next Saturday and can't wait. I love it in black and white. I must have missed the post from yesterday so I went back and looked. I agree, I think the quilt from yesterday might benefit from an accent color. The curves are fine with out. If you add the accent, it is a perfect fit for my Black and White Quilt Challenge. I have a huge stash of black and white fabrics and just love them. I was thinking of doing my strips and curves quilt in batiks, but now you've got me rethinking that. My word verification is PATIO. Hmmmm.... wish I could go out on mine, but it is too cold and covered with ice.
Following your blog. . . this past year, I have learned that YOUR eye is better than any of ours and our opinions.
Blue Crazy, I see faceted sapphires sparkling in the sun. Just beautiful! Love how you framed the blocks with that purple strip, plus the narrow binding is perfect. How I LOVE BLUE !
BOTH Black and White quilt tops are dramatic and I would like to encourage you to finish them just like YOU want to. I too am an Ansel Adams fan, and love black and white photos.
J~MT
A agree. Today's quilt is lovely as is and the one yesterday could absolutely use a shot of strong color.
I agree, Todays quilt has more contast and stand alone WOW than the previous black and white quilt.
That quilt feels like it needs more depth of tone. It seems to blend.
Can't wait to see what you do with it. I anticipate your blog every morning.
Definitely this one. It is gorgeous as it is.
You are a wonder... we are always told value, value, value in our quilt classes. This circle b&w beauty proves the wisdom of the three Vs. While color might pep up the other one, maybe it just needs a punch in the Vs!
Learning from you -- again!
I vote for this one being left with no colour added. It is SO striking. The one from yesterday would, I think, benefit from a shot of exuberant color's colour! :-)
Blueberry explosion -- that's what that quilt looks like to me. I love it! Absolutely gorgeous!!
Because the contrast in today's B&W quilt works with the shapes to keep the eye moving, it is wonderful just the way it is!!
You wouldn't want any color to detract from that great effect.
Yesterday the B&W areas did not get you eye "moving". I personally would like red added to it, as I suggested yesterday. The use of decorative red quilting could move the eye. I'm anxious to see what you decide.
Your quilts are great, but it is fun to be able to add my 2 cents!
Teresa
Blue Crazy is wonderful, Wanda!
And that Black and White? Absolutely stunning...I wouldn't add color at all. It is an amazing piece, just as it is.
As for the other B&W, I agree with others that a bit of color would help a lot...but I'd be pretty restrained with it. Can't wait to see what you come up with...
I would leave today's black and white quilt just the way it is. It's so dynamic just from the shading. Perfect.
I love both quilts, but especially the black and white one. I would use a bright color, possibly red, and put a half-inch wide inner border, then finish with black and white in an outer border. Gorgeous, gorgeous quilts Wanda!
I agree that this one is fine as it is but I would add red to the other one.
Today's black and white quilt is motion w/ the curves and w/ the fabric that is reading solid black (I realize it is not solid black). It has a center and you are sucked in. It lacks nothing! It is perfect as is. I love it!
The quilt from yesterday is reading a bit more grey all over, not as much contrast. I like the pattern. But more orderly, not radiating from the center, motion constrained?? A color inserted would add more interest for me. But that would be FOR ME! You do what pleases YOU!
Your quilts are so wonderful - whatever you do, I am sure it will reflect you and your great style!
Wow, the commenters are coming out of the woodwork!
Today's black and white is great as is, maybe with a mottled grey tone as a binding.
I had to laugh at myself because when I looked at yesterday's black and white I couldn't believe it didn't have any color (who turned the color off?). I have seen black and white line drawings really pop where they take a teeny red border, then a white border (matting), and have one or two tiny bits of red in the picture (i.e. a red door). You could do something similar with a red button in the middle of one or more pinwheels.
Vicky F
The B&W pinwheels could use the punch that color could provide. The circles are stunning - you should leave them as is.
I like the black and white - it is really neat. Some people need more color mixed in like red or pink or whatever, but it is all a matter of taste I think - do you like it? it is your quilt and so it is your opinion that matters.
Karen
http://karensquilting.com/blog/
This black and white quilt is so cool just as it is. I don't see color making any improvement, color would take away from the beauty of it. I would call it ready to quilt.
Are you sure they aren't black and white photos?!?!?!
Wanda,
What about some applique in black and white for your quilt in your previous post? I really like the idea of leaving it black and white. You already know that I LOVE the blue crazy quilt. And this black and white is absolutely stunning. It should be on display for all to see how best to use values.
The circular b&w quilt is fantastic as it is. The full range of values makes a stong, graphic image. The other b&w pinwheel could use some color though. Maybe add some to the blocks with ink, paint or paintsticks.
I love the blue/purple for its richness, but I love the black and white for its depth. It is so textural. You just want to feel and touch it. No colour here! Brilliant!
This one is perfect the way it is.
I think I would prefer the one from yesterday's post with a hint of color.
LOVE your quilts! Awesome. My comment re yesterday's B&W is that if you want to stick with the no color idea than do it. But if so, I think it needs a shot of something that reads dark black. IMHO I'd add it as a thin inner border before you get to the smaller blocks. That should help with the smooshing (technical term there!) that's happening in the upper left corner. Looking forward to seeing what you come up with!
Wanda, This is spectalcular ~ a masterful use of black and white fabric!
I love both of these quilts; they are beautiful.
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