Friday, August 21, 2009

Choosing borders

I have a possible border combination picked out...........
for the vanilla 9 patch.
Here is the whole top sewn together and pressed.
This is what the back looks like. All of the last seams in the individual blocks are placed in the same direction for a smoother finished quilt top.
Thursday was basting or binding day but I didn't have anything I wanted to do in either category so I made 2 journal covers. I salvaged some of my machine embroidery samples for decoration. You might recognize the one on the right as one of the new strip pieced playtime pieces from last week. There is a tutorial for this if you go to the Labels list on the right side bar and click on Tutorials.This picture is a little blurry because I took it through the screen on the front door. I usually cut the dead heads off the coreopsis so it will bloom again but now I see I need to leave them there for finch food. This little fellow was on the cone flower first and then flew over to the coreopsis. His missus was there on the sidewalk right after I snapped the picture. Today I will pull out the flannel quilt from years ago and see if I can finish the top.

32 comments:

Julie Bagamary said...

Great border choices - just a touch of color. And the journal covers are wonderful as well. Such a contrast colorwise between the 2 projects.

Cathi said...

Vanilla is gorgeous -- and your fabric choices for a border look perfect for it!
I love the journal covers, especially the one with the butterfly -- so pretty!

Anonymous said...

Love the borders!
Your finch is so pretty. I know it feels like being a lazy gardener to leave dead things, but I just love to provide finch food. Thistle is one of their favorites, as well as dandelion! My finches eat well!
Teresa

Vicki W said...

Vanilla is so pretty! Love the border plan too.

Unknown said...

The border plan looks great, just the right colors. I am very fussy about my seams being all pressed correctly. The quilt lays so much better when they are all properly pressed. Love the little birdie, even though he is blurry he is very vibrant!

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

I love that journal cover that has the butterfly on it! it is sure pretty. I think that border combination that you have chosen will work out really good with that quilt. It is looking really good.
Karen
http://karensquilting.com/blog/

Beena said...

The fabrics you've chosen for borders are perfect for the vanilla quilt. Looks great!
and I love, love, love your bright journal covers!!!! I had an itch yesterday to do a journal cover, out of the blue, but didn't squeeze it in.
This bird almost blends right in with the flowers if you aren't looking closely.

Jocelyn said...

Your vanilla quilt is so beautiful. I love how all the colors blend and flow. Lovely.

Nancy Near Philadelphia said...

Now, just LOOK at how lovely that Vanilla quilt has turned out to be! And the borders you have chosen are nothing short of perfecto. Bravo!

Anonymous said...

Love the border fabric, and the journal covers. Hannah

Diane said...

You've made lemonade from lemons, not that the original blocks weren't lovely ~ just not your usual style. I really wondered how you'd maintain momentum on this project. That subtle touch of color offered just enough of a challenge to see it through, brilliantly. Your border fabrics look great.

More journal covers!

Quiltdivajulie said...

yes, Yes, YES on the border options ... LOVE THE LOOK!!!

Thanks for the tutorial - I keep meaning to learn how to make journal covers because I love looking at the ones you (and others) make. Just need to sit down and go for it (when?!?)

Have a good weekend!

sally in st. paul said...

perfect choices for the borders. I generally prefer darker borders to kind of hold everything together, but in this case, the light borders carry out the whole feeling of the quilt of serenity and calm.
sally in st. paul

Anonymous said...

I agree with everyone else.Wig.

KateKwiltz said...

Oh, I love the subtle colors in that vanilla top! And the borders will be perfect! It's got a very calm, soothing feel to it.

Pat said...

I would live to see you do a double binding on this -- a binding in the pale color, but with a fine line of piping in the purple.

Anonymous said...

Your Vanilla quilt turned out beautiful. Love the choices for the border too.
Thanks for sharing your tutorial on the journal covers. One of these days I just might get around to making one.
That little finch is a cute one. He matches those flowers perfectly.
Have a great weekend quilting!

Kay in Kansas

Kate said...

I really like the subtle color now with the borders that you choice. They give it a nice fluency. :)

quiltmom anna said...

I love your border choices, Wanda- the deep lavender purple is a perfect choice. The quilt is going to be stunning finished - even if it is not your usual exuberant color it is beautiful in its own right.
The journal covers are fabulous too- you do such a great job of using all your projects. I love the embroider on both of them. Very nice touch..
Happy quilting,
Anna

Marilyn said...

I love your vanilla quilt top and your border choices. You did GOOD pressing all those seams. My favorite is the butterfly journal and I always enjoy your wildlife pictures.

Kristin L said...

I like the double lavender border. it adds just the right amount of color to the quilt. :-)

Vivian said...

The border choices are pefect and scrumptious -- makes this quilt Exuberently Soothing!

Anonymous said...

I appreciate all the stitching and pressing you have done this BEAUTIFUL quilt. For me it is a Victorian beauty. I hope everyone enlarged the two photo's of this piece today, it shows so much more detail. "Possible border combination," looks great to me.

Both journal covers just make me smile. Love them.

Your little finch is flying sunshine for sure. We have them here also, but a bit smaller.

J~MT

Leslie said...

I like the purple border colors; they're very soft.

Penny Schine Gold said...

These borders are lovely--makes the whole quilt look like a rich brocade .

Wanda said...

The journal covers are beautiful. I love the butterfly...it looks like goldwork. The border is amazing. I am so anxious to see the end project...I love this quilt!

Mom said...

Very nice pulling fabrics of more color to the borders. Brings out the colors within the 9patches nicely.

Kathy said...

Your vanilla neutral quilt is just gorgeous. I really like what you've got going here with the pale neutrals and the very subtle soft colors as well. It is very elegant. I enjoy reading your posts.

SueR said...

The last three quilts you've been working on--the vanilla 9 patch, the rosebud, and the beaded curtain--are spectacular! Sometimes I think the backs of the quilts, with all their nicely pressed little seams, are fun to see too.

Anonymous said...

I have to grow some thistles. I hope to have a nice natural garden next year. My husband took down the dreadful stockade fence between my yard and the neighbor's driveway after the neighbor moved out. Their driveway's not beautiful, but it's better than the fence. so I've got some light on that side of the house. Garden, garden!

carole brungar said...

I love your vanilla 9 patch, simply gorgeous!!!
carole ;)

Evelyn aka Starfishy said...

The journal covers are the perfect canvas for smaller bits of art work! Sometimes tiny details get lost in a bigger work, but with these covers they really become the centerpiece!