When I finished piecing this top I wasn't sure it needed a border, but now I KNOW it did. It was so wild and uncontrolled before and the border corralled it. You can go back here and see it without a border.
I need to have a Trip Around the World in progress to demo for my class that starts on Friday at the quilt shop in town. The fabrics at the right are a taupe brown even though they look gray in the photo. I have a Saturday class in February if anyone nearby (Sandwich, IL) is interested.
When I help my students choose their fabric, we always lay it out with dark on the ends, and then move half the group to the left to see it light on the ends. I teach it as a colorwash so we like a smooth transition from one fabric to the next. The fabric on top (it really is brown) is probably going to be a border.
That's a great way to select fabrics! The only time I have bought specific fabrics for a quilt was when I made the Morris Workshop quilt for my parents this Christmas. And even then they were bought w/o knowing what quilt I would be making. LOL! MAybe I need to plan a little better in the future!
Yep, that border really "finishes" the quilt. It is gorgeous! And I'm liking those fabrics you've chosen. You will show us more, won't you? Please, please!
The border does make a big difference! Looks great. Wish I lived closer, would love to take a class from you ! But I have to say, I have learned a lot just from reading your blog in the comfort of my kitchen LOL.
Your right about it needing a border. It is lovely. The trip around the world will be pretty with the gradations. I wish I lived close enough to come to your class.
I wish that I lived close enough to take your class....You are quite right about the border and how it adds just the finishing touch to the quilt. I noticed it's quite cold where you are this morning-6 out! Stay warm :-)
Morning Wanda The color wash idea is a good one thnaks for passing that on. The brown fabric in the last photo is nice. I use it a lot good with greens and turquois too. Mary ann
The quilt looks great with the added border, it works when you let something "rest" before making that final decision.
I like the color wash fabrics you're choosing for the trip around the world. I think the fabric choices I made for mine played a large part in my not liking the finshed quilt. But of course, my tastes have changed over time too!
The border looks great! Nice finishing touch. Love those fabrics you have chosen. That is going to be one fantastic trip around the world! If I lived closer I would definitely take a course.
I've found that I like to arrange my fabrics in a circle. This lets me go both from dark to light and from warm to cool, plus you can start and end anywhere you like.
I admire your ability to go from dark to light in a (to me) small number of steps and still have the transition look smooth. Am I allowed to put a link in my comment? Here is an attempted link to the fabrics I'm using in my current quilt:
Hi Wanda, Yes, the border was needed to tame the wild quilt! I wonder if it would have looked like a wavy edge (via optical illusion) without a straight border?
We are finally getting enough snow to shovel. Hope you are keeping warm! Vicky F
I guess I'm the only one who preferred the borderless version... Although the border indeed makes the motion even more visible. What would I have done? Some wild things love to remain untamed... No criticism on your piece! It is gorgeous.
I have decided that I don't really like sashed quilts - it's much more interesting to let the blocks all play together than confine them. However, a nice border round the edge accentuates the fun in the middle, as you have so neatly demonstrated!
you are so right about the border! Lovely
ReplyDeleteInteresting lesson in colour!
ReplyDeleteLike the quilt with its border. So nice!
The border is the perfect choice (of course) Wanda!
ReplyDeleteIt would be so fun to take your class. Lucky people who live nearby!
That's a great way to select fabrics!
ReplyDeleteThe only time I have bought specific fabrics for a quilt was when I made the Morris Workshop quilt for my parents this Christmas. And even then they were bought w/o knowing what quilt I would be making. LOL! MAybe I need to plan a little better in the future!
love how the quilt turned out. Very colorful!
ReplyDeleteKaren
http://karensquilting.com/blog/
Which shop are you at so I can check the date? Quilter's Heart is the only one I can think of but it doesn't have up a class schedule yet.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you went with the border, it really finishes the quilt, pulls it all together.
ReplyDeleteYep, that border really "finishes" the quilt. It is gorgeous! And I'm liking those fabrics you've chosen. You will show us more, won't you? Please, please!
ReplyDeleteThe border does make a big difference! Looks great. Wish I lived closer, would love to take a class from you ! But I have to say, I have learned a lot just from reading your blog in the comfort of my kitchen LOL.
ReplyDeleteYour right about it needing a border. It is lovely. The trip around the world will be pretty with the gradations. I wish I lived close enough to come to your class.
ReplyDeleteHello Wanda,
ReplyDeleteI wish that I lived close enough to take your class....You are quite right about the border and how it adds just the finishing touch to the quilt. I noticed it's quite cold where you are this morning-6 out! Stay warm :-)
Judy
Morning Wanda
ReplyDeleteThe color wash idea is a good one thnaks for passing that on.
The brown fabric in the last photo is nice. I use it a lot good with greens and turquois too.
Mary ann
The quilt looks great with the added border, it works when you let something "rest" before making that final decision.
ReplyDeleteI like the color wash fabrics you're choosing for the trip around the world. I think the fabric choices I made for mine played a large part in my not liking the finshed quilt. But of course, my tastes have changed over time too!
Linda
The border looks great! Nice finishing touch. Love those fabrics you have chosen. That is going to be one fantastic trip around the world! If I lived closer I would definitely take a course.
ReplyDeleteThe quilt is lovely either way...... but the border really sets it! Good choice!
ReplyDeleteI like the border, too.
ReplyDeleteI've found that I like to arrange my fabrics in a circle. This lets me go both from dark to light and from warm to cool, plus you can start and end anywhere you like.
I admire your ability to go from dark to light in a (to me) small number of steps and still have the transition look smooth. Am I allowed to put a link in my comment? Here is an attempted link to the fabrics I'm using in my current quilt:
Click here, I hope.
The border certainly does add a finishing touch to the quilt.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the sharing your process to check a colorwash sequence. There's always something to learn from your postings.
Hi Wanda,
ReplyDeleteYes, the border was needed to tame the wild quilt! I wonder if it would have looked like a wavy edge (via optical illusion) without a straight border?
We are finally getting enough snow to shovel. Hope you are keeping warm!
Vicky F
The border is perfection.
ReplyDeleteWish I could come to your class.
I hope 2011 holds pleasure and joy for you, Wanda.
I guess I'm the only one who preferred the borderless version... Although the border indeed makes the motion even more visible. What would I have done? Some wild things love to remain untamed... No criticism on your piece! It is gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteYes, I like the border!
ReplyDeleteLet's see...dark in middle, switch to sides and see light in middle.. should be easy to remember..
Thanks.
Happy New Year Wanda. I think you made the perfect choice adding the border. I love the piced top on your newspaper wall.
ReplyDeleteI have decided that I don't really like sashed quilts - it's much more interesting to let the blocks all play together than confine them. However, a nice border round the edge accentuates the fun in the middle, as you have so neatly demonstrated!
ReplyDelete