Tuesday, July 19, 2011

WIP Wednesday #36

Wednesday again. How does this happen with such frequency?

I have spent most of my available sewing time this week working on Farmer's Wife blocks (come back for Farmer's Wife Friday) and Snow Angels.Yesterday I mentioned some of my math problems in regard to Snow Angels. I thought I had the border all planned out but then things went in a totally different direction.

Right now you may be asking yourself this question:


How long did it take her to come up with such an inventive and creative border for this quilt??


You would be surprised. I had planned to use the leftover jellyroll strips on two sides, but it was just too busy, so they will become part of the back.

Then I auditioned a stack of fabric in different combinations. I thought about using a narrow red border to "stop the action" and then add about a 4" border of some of the prints.I even really liked the polka dots, particularly because it was not part of the line and added a little extra "something." But it was still too busy, and I wanted the circles to continue, not be stopped.
 So then I thought about how I wanted to quilt it. I want to use perle cotton in red, blue and two shades of pink, and maybe some white. I really like the circles created as a secondary design and want to emphasize that so my plan is to quilt 1/4" inside each grey piece. Then I decided I would like to finish off the illusion by carrying the quilting into the border. Kind of like this:
I didn't want to piece the solid grey borders, and that's how I ended up fussy cutting a cute little girl on a swing for each corner.
Does that make any sense? Have I thoroughly confused you? Awesome. My work is done.

So go see what everyone else has been working on this week.

30 comments:

05 08
Lee said... #

Well, it's beautiful, regardless of how long it took! Thanks (in advance) for linking up with WIP Wednesday. : )

KimT said... #

wow, the quilt is lovely!

JHNickodemus said... #

Whew! I like it that way! If it makes you feel better I've got a complete quilt and a completely pieced border sitting on a shelf unassembled due to je being scared of the math required for the sizer/filler

Charlotte said... #

It is really lovely and I think your idea for the quilting sounds perfect

patchworkdelights said... #

Wow a lot of decisions, but that's the way it goes, I am a chicken with things like that! Good for you and the end result is simple gorgeous and adds a little interesting element as she catches your eye on her swing. Lovely!

Marg said... #

You're not the only one with Math deficiency, sigh.
I think your idea and final fabric choice is great and it makes perfect sense. Can't wait to see the quilting.

Kathy S. said... #

Love the snow angels quilt!!! Can't wait to see the back.

Elizabeth Dackson said... #

I really dig your border, love those girls on the swings, they fit perfectly! :)

Barbara said... #

I think it's going to turn out wonderfully (:

Becky (My Fabric Obsession) said... #

oh, i really love your snow angels! Great work. The colors are beautiful!

Melinda said... #

Hey, sometimes it just takes that long to make the right decision! And you did, so there you go. It looks great!

Terriaw said... #

Love that border and the corner squares! Also love your idea of carrying the block pattern into the border with the quilting. Could you add those piano keys to the outside as another border? Just another thought, but they would be great for the back too. Such a cute quilt!

Clare Mansell said... #

Love the design you have done and I have literally 2 minutes ago ordered Sherbet Pips, it's so cute!

Connie Kresin Campbell said... #

It looks beautiful and I love the quilting design you have picked out. The fabrics are beautiful.

Letterpress said... #

You are one funny lady today! When I took the Japanese quilt class with Roberta Horton, she actually encouraged us to "go zen" (my words, not hers) and leave some space. Then we'd take some sashiko thread (which is similar in weight to pearl cotton, but with less sheen) to finish our motifs in that empty space. I really liked the effect, so applaud your direction and impulse on these borders.

Sometimes we can really overload our designs (like the one I sent you last night--but hey, that one wasn't MY design--and I like it) so when I tried Horton's idea, it was a stretch. But the quilt turned out lovely. I think yours will as well, and will look forward to that reveal.

Elizabeth E.
http://occasionalpiece.wordpress.com

Needled Mom said... #

It's really fun to read the thought process that goes into another beautiful quilt.

Mary said... #

I love the Flowering Snowball with the PIPs Fabric! A fantastic combination!

Jennifer said... #

I love the border! It really lets those detailed blocks shine!

Jennifer :)

Kelly Irene said... #

I really like the simple border you ended up choosing. It allows your eyes to have a place to rest while also enjoying the beauty of the snow angels.

Grandma G said... #

What if a mathletic bag lady suggested a narrow solid red border surrounding all of that, just to bring a sense of "completeness"?

(Don't listen to me.)

Not A Quilter

Poppyprint said... #

PERFECT!!!! Your perle cotton quilting plans will be just perfect. This is such a sweet quilt!

Bree said... #

Looks great! I can't wait to see how it looks after you've quilted it.

sew katie did said... #

Love it with this line. So cute and bright.

Unknown said... #

Every time I read the name of this quilt, I get a little giddy. ;) I feel sort of famous!

I think the grey border looks great. And you could always use those srappy strips for binding!

Carla said... #

Personally, I think that you are a genius!! It's gonna be wonderful!!

Rene' said... #

Don't know why you say you aren't a mathlete! Looks like you have it figured out to me. It's going to be stunning and can't wait to see it. Love the perle cotton touch.

randi--i have to say said... #

oh, what a fun quilt top! i love the curved piecing. :)

Cheryl Arkison said... #

I love the idea of extending the quilting design like that!

Jenniffier said... #

It is beautiful!

felicity said... #

You didn't confuse me but you DID make me laugh so your job here is indeed done. :)

I like the serenity of the solid border and your quilting idea is perfection.