I sewed the 24 blocks together yesterday, turned on the iron and pressed it. I'm really happy with it without sashing. I like the corners meeting and creating hourglass blocks. I didn't measure it but it should be close to 48" x 72".
I have been thinking about making pieced borders that can be sewn to each block instead a long strip of border. I used this on my pink heart quilt and liked it a lot. I had 2 left over 16 patch blocks so I folded them in half and put them up there so I could see if I like the checkerboard border. When I cut the 16 patch strips I cut duplicates so I have the 40 strips I would need to do a border. My only decision is whether I group them with all colors alike to add to each block or make it mixed with all 40 fabrics falling however in a scrappy look.
My second idea is to add 2 strips to each block and they would be alternating with the light on the left next to a dark block and dark on the left next to a light block. I can do a mock up of that with more strips, just didn't think of it before 11 p.m.
Either of these ideas will add 8" in width and length to the quilt top.
That checkerboard is very distracting to me, but I love the idea of the longer strips. Border without being too busy, more integrated with the top design. It's always interesting to see what you decide!
ReplyDeletea pieced border works so well most of them time that is what i am thinking of doing for both of the quilts I am finishing up on too.
ReplyDeleteI like the strip idea--to contain all the pretty busyness...;)))
ReplyDeleteRain here today...and in the 40's warming up this week
Hugs, Julierose
I like the strip idea better than the checkerboard border. When I first looked at the photo my eyes went right to the checkerboard and almost missed all those gorgeous fabrics in the Churn Dashes. The strip border seems to blend right in with the lines of the Churn Dash -- I almost missed those strips at first glance. Of course I'm usually a border-less girl so what do I know!
ReplyDeleteI'm with the others - the checkerboard in this case doesn't compliment the blocks the way the longer pairs of strips do. And since the rest of the quilt has colors scattered throughout, I don't think I would necessarily coordinate the strips with the colors in each of the perimeter blocks. But of course, auditions must happen before decisions are made.
ReplyDeleteI had to enlarge to see the hour glass at the corner blocks. And even a diamond shape comes into vision. Adding another detailed design to your quilt really adds to this piece AND I do not miss the sashing now. (*._.*) This is one fun quilt that has so much to look at. JJM
ReplyDeleteI agree with the other comments that the checkerboard is distracting. The alternating strips would continue the design.
ReplyDeleteAdd my 2 cents in the "checkerboard is distracting" column but like to two strip idea. One idea you might consider is one I've used on several quilts: a 1st border maybe cut 3" using a darkish TOT fabric that compliments the quilt center, a very narrow and brighter 2nd border cut about 1" to 1.5" (whatever looks best to you), and an outer border that is cut the 1st + 2nd border widths + .5" for seam allowances. I'll send you a photo!
ReplyDeleteHugs!
Love these blocks! I'm with everyone else on the alternating strips. Very striking.
ReplyDeleteIt is really a vary unique quilt. The borders sound terrific.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of the alternating strips, the checkerboard feels somewhat distracting, leading the eye away from the body of the quilt.
ReplyDelete