Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Thanks for all the great advice and suggestions

Boy, I got a good response to my dilemma and I really appreciate all the suggestions. That is so nice to get so many ideas. Lots of the ideas I hadn't really considered at first.



So I have been working on the quilt today. I decided to go with the red pogo stick jumping monkeys, that certainly was the most popular border. I had ordered 1/2 yard - which is not quite 20 inches. I think part of the problem is we Canadians forget that we buy fabric in the local shops in metres and the metre is about 3 inches longer than a yard. So that is not such a big deal width wise - I cut the borders 4 1/2 inches wide instead of 5 or 6 inches. But the big problem was the fabric was only 41 inches wide and the quilt is 43 inches long. So I would need to piece my long borders just to add 2 inches to the length - And I thought that would look silly -- So with Tazzie's suggestion I am going to throw a couple of blocks in the border - like they are meant to be there.

Then another suggestion - a brown and yellow four patch in the corners - I liked that idea. I think there were a couple of people that suggested a 4 patch or a nine patch in the corners. I decided to go with the plain sock fabric for the four patch - I did a 4 patch because then the squares are the same size as the squares in the body of the quilt.

Another suggestion was a small or narrow yellow inner border or "peep" I am going to use the yellow polka dot fabric for the inner "peep" I like that word Donna (Chookyblue) In the picture the yellow polka dot looks a bit busy but in really life I like the way it looks - and it will be a very narrow piece - just a touch of yellow there. I am working with left over bits of fat quarters for the narrow border so I will be piecing the polka dot border with the bits I have left - I didn't really have enough of the plain yellow - I didn't think the blue was right. And I think the little red dots in the yellow bring the inside of the quilt and the outside red border together a bit.



It is snowing here today - so I hope to get the entire top together today and maybe even get it layered later -if I don't spend too much time on the computer.

Jim is home from work today as he couldn't get out of the driveway this morning! So here is a picture of his busy morning.



He has done a fine job on the driveway and now it is snowing hard again! He has just gone off to walk the dog - and I will head back to the sewing room.

Thanks so much for all you suggestions - it was very helpful.

15 comments:

  1. I think it will look just right the way you have it planned. Such a lovely, happy quilt. Send some of that snow my way - no sign of any here yet - :-(

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  2. Oh I love it with the 4-patch blocks added! Very nice!

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  3. HiPam,
    I think you have found a great combination for the borders- they are interesting without overwhelming the body of the quilt.
    It looks great...
    Anna

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  4. What a perfect solution! The yellow and brown sock four patches are great. Not only is it creative but it seems to balance out the whole top. Love the red frame.

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  5. I think it will look super with the four patches. What a great way to solve a problem!

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  6. The 4 patches and the red really bring everything together.
    I stayed home and sewed as well. DH went to work later in the day.

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  7. Wow, what a great job on the borders and the whole quilt in general. Talk about "team" effort! Love the colors too. Poor Jim, that looks like very wet, heavy snow!

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  8. Four patch in the two colours looks great, you must pleased.

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  9. I missed the suggestion post Pam, sorry but i love the way ur bordered this!!! The Four patches look great. U have to be so happy with this!!

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  10. I love the fabric you chose for the border!

    My kids are home again today--no school at UCFV today--thank goodness. The thought of them driving down that highway again today would be too much for me! My husband and I both work 5 minutes from home so we went to work yesterday as usual and will be doing the same today.

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  11. Love the 4 patch blocks in the border.
    We had some snow here, but mostly just really silly cold.

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  12. The quilt looks great Pam. I love the four block patches and how they break up the red border, it brings everything in balance!

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  13. Hi Pam, love the look of the whole quilt! Great choice on the border. A small boo-hiss for more snow!! Hugs, Finn

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  14. Oh Pam! It is nice......!!!!!!!!
    I love it!

    TERRIBLE SNOW!

    Hugs, Andrea

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  15. Obviously I'm way to late here to give you any suggestions, but you did beautifully with the ideas given you by others. This quilt turned out so very cute! I really like the way you did the borders. A much more interesting, creative solution is usually the result of necessity due to shortage of fabric - and this quilt certainly fits that rule!

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