7/1/12

Sunday's Sewing

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It's a gray day here in Portland, which always makes me lazy.  Our summers never really get off the ground until the 4th of July.  The weather is supposed to improve after today, but it's still rather chilly.  Not good weather for gardening or walking with cats.  

That's okay.  It gives me time to sew.  Today, I started sewing together the blocks for the Daisies & Dots quilt.  I have twenty of the thirty blocks sewn together now, but I got tired of working on that.  (See "lazy" above.)  I may go back and finish them up this afternoon, but for now, I'm blogging.

Since I had cleared a space on my design floor, I decided to lay out the blocks I received in the May We Bee Learning block bee.


Originally, I had in mind to put a sashing between the blocks, but now that I see them all laid out together, I've changed my mind.  I like the white octagon they form when they're put together like this.  Also, I like the four-patch that shows in the corners.  I'm thinking it would look nice if I quilted around the edge of the octagon and then also quilted a diagonal grid extending through the bow tie blocks.  If I keep the quilt small like it is (about lap sized), I can do the quilting myself.

So now, I've decided to add just a border around the outside.  I have this fabric in my stash.  I have just two yards of it, which is enough for the back, if I don't use it in the border.  


But I think it would make a great border too.  On the other hand, I could just do a white border or some other solid color and save this fabric for the back.  What do you think?  When you look at the blocks, does one color stand out to you?  Do you think a white border is all it needs?  Do you think the polka dot fabric should be used for the border and figure out something else for the back?  There are so many possibilities, I can't make up my mind.  I'm leaving the blocks laid out on the floor for now so that I can stare at them as I walk by.  Eventually, something is bound to come to me.  I still want to know what you think, so speak up!

And lo and behold in yesterday's mail, these fat quarters showed up from Brenda P.  Some of you may recall that I was disappointed at not having received the two fat quarters I won from Brenda in the Just Takes Two quilt along over two months ago.  Brenda finally came through and added an extra fat quarter to boot.


I really like the fabrics she chose, and it was very nice of her to send them.  Thank you, Brenda.

So that's it from me for the time being.  Let me know what you think about the bow tie blocks.  Maybe your eye will see something that my eyes don't.

13 comments:

Kathy Felsted Usher said...

I love those fat quarter colors! The orange is especially nice for fall.

Dirt Road Quilter said...

I think you ought to use that fun fabric for the back and add a white border to the front. I like those blocks without sashing too.You really can't go wrong either way though - just putting in my 2 cents. :)

Teresa in Music City said...

Love those blocks! Especially like the way you have chosen to set them and the different designs that happen. I would definitely use a white border. Even if you put the dots too, a white inner border would stop the action and frame the quilt first. But I'm thinking the dots are best for the backing, and maybe a darker, more active print for the outer border? An orange would work if you like orange. Hmmm, hard to say without seeing something laid out there beside it :*) Here's a crazy idea - maybe a white border and then a bright scrappy binding from all of the colors in the blocks?

Mhairi said...

I think that the white would be too much given the octagons are white but how about the grey colour (5 bowties down, 2nd one in from the right side or 3 down, 3 in from the right side) I think this woul dmake a great border and then use the spots on the back. Spots for the border would be too much I think, and it might detract from the amazing blocks that you have.

Margaret said...

I really think you should do the polka do border. It will make all those colors come together and just look so happy. The squares are really pretty. It is going to make up into an awesome quilt.

kc said...

Hmmm....I see lots of orange in those bowties, and I'm really glad you spread it out some. I like the dots for the backing, but not for the front - would make it way too busy, imho. I also like the blocks without the sashing, just like you've got 'em. Definitely needs a border - either white, of some blender orange.

It'll be fun, whatever you do!

LethargicLass said...

I am for the white border and polka dot back, I think it is cleaner looking. I love the FQ's you finally received, great fabrics!

Mrs.Pickles said...

the blocks look great! I think the dots would work better for the backing too...but then again what do I know!

Sally said...

I love the blocks! The first thing I see when I look at the blocks is lots of orange. I would probably go with some form of orange in the border. I would use the dots for the backing. Hope this helps you decide what to do.

Sally said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Snoodles said...

I'm in agreement with the orange vote....I think that would be nice for a border. I like the fabric you showed, for the back. Just my opinion!
So glad you finally received your FQs! How is George doing lately?

Kate said...

Your We Bee blocks are fun. The idea of a narrow white inner border with a darker outer border is probably what I'd go with and save the dots for the back. I see a lot of orange too. But you could go complementary with a darker purple border. I think that would give you a nice frame for those center blocks. Just a thought.

quiltzyx said...

The first thing I thought when I looked at the blocks was "Orange!".

I like what Kate said about maybe using a darker purple for the border. That would really give it a nice frame. Then use the dots on the back - and maybe for the binding if there's enough.