I'm getting started on my common threads quilt from round 1. I'd been waiting for two last blocks to roll in, but since so many of my fellow quilters generously sent me two, I have more than enough to just go ahead and finish without them. My living room wall has been bare for so long. I'm determined to get this finished before it's my turn to send out fabrics for round two in March.
Since I'll be sashing/bordering the quilt in black, I covered the design wall in black fabric and began toying around with some ideas. Keep in mind that I didn't bother balancing the blocks in terms of intricacy of design or color yet. I just sort of slapped them up there for this initial step.
A few things I'm pretty sure of:
-the black background fabric
-3 rows of 6 blocks will fit the space on the wall very well
-putting a larger border on the bottom of the quilt than on the top
With that said, the first option that came to mind as the blocks rolled in was this - making them into larger blocks that have the color blocks offset at different angles. Drawbacks - might be too busy. A lot of work. The need to make them into larger blocks might make the quilt too large for the space. Benefit - will accomodate variety of sizes in the blocks easily.
Option 2 - Staggered columns of three. I think I'd stagger them even more than this. Perhaps have one column moved several inches higher than all the others. Benefits - accomodates variety of blocks well, easy to do. Drawback - may need to add fabric to a few blocks and I'd prefer to leave them as they were created by the original quilters (though I have absolutely NO problem with my fellow common threads quilters altering the blocks I send you). I may also need to reconsider the border on the bottom being larger because the movement on this quilt is vertical.
Option 3:
Three even rows of 6. Seems so 'meh' to me. However, much of that could be the lack of balance in the blocks since they were just thrown up on the board. I'm also not sure if they should be sashed with black or sewn one to the other with no visual breaks. Drawbacks - different block sizes are very noticable and I'll have to alter them to fit. Benefit - once the blocks are uniform in size, this would be the easiest to put together.
Your thoughts? You can see the space I'm filling here.
28 comments:
Ooh, I don't envy you this decision! I love the wonky blocks on top the most. Would add a bit of whimsy to the room.
BUT if you don't want whimsy, balance the blocks and sew 'em straight like in the bottom picture.
(my wv is egolego. Hm.)
Just a thought, but maybe you combine 1 and 3 - put most on a grid, but have a handful of them rotated. You could figure out which ones are most similar in size and have those be the grid elements, and the ones that are larger or smaller could be doctored to live off of the grid. Could be a compromise between some of your different concerns.
They look fun together as a group.
3 is my least favorite. I like 2 the best, because I think you notice the individual squares a little better than you do in 1, which becomes about the wonkiness. But 1 is interesting too.
Option 1 Option 1 Option 1!
Option One is my favorite for sure! It is going to look great no matter which way you go.
I like option one or two - and I've also seen quilts where they stagger the blocks lengthwise instead of horizontally.
Like this:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/urbanpatchwork/3969302248/
It looks great though!
Love option 2!!!
Option 1 is too busy.. eople's eyes will be going around like catharine wheels trying to take it all in.
Option 2 is the way to go. Fun, yet still with an underlying structure.
Option 2 is really striking. I like the movement of the colors and blocks when in this staggered arrangement.
I pick Door #2. It looks more art-y than quilt-y and will look lovely on the wall.
Yay for nearing completion!!!
I really love option 2!
Option 2 !!!!
Renate
"In medio stats virtus"
No.2!!!
Paola
Option 1! The block dance, and it would make the space cheery. Option 1!
My comments are few and far between, though I keep up with the blog regularly. For what it's worth, I vote for #2...which looks just right to me.
The colors are fab. Love the black background. Reminds me of Amish quilts...which I love.
PS-Tomorrow I begin my own selvedge sewing...not sure what I'll make as of yet. You've inspired me, tho.
I agree with Jenny that you should combine options 1 and 3 with no more than 3 or 4 skewed blocks. I love the idea of the bottom border being larger than the top, and you're right that that wouldn't look good with option 2.
i like option 2...for me it seems to fit the random nature of the blocks. lining them up or skewing them all seems too organized for these. that aside, it's so great to see all these blocks together. pretty great!
These blocks are great! I loved option 1 until I saw option 2. Offsetting the blocks makes quite an impact and sets them off well.
I choose 2!!!
I like option two the best! I think they all look so great together...it's fun to see it finally come together
I like option 2, looks like they are floating - lovely,
I know this is the most difficult - doh!
barb
I love option #2 but do not like the up and down staggering. I think it would suit well to have 6 on the top and bottom row with 7 blocks in the center row. Just an idea!
I like the idea of staggering the blocks - either horizontally or vertically.
Option 1 would be my choice as it honors the wild and wonkyness of the blocks...the other choices look like you are trying to make order out of chaos!
I like option 1. It seems to match the block better than to put it straight.
I vote for option 2 as well. It gives the blocks a Gee's Bend look I think.
Jette/Denmark
OPTION 2!
I vote for option one! if you end up putting a few less blocks on the top, then the appearance of "busy" will be less and you can always do a really awesome back showcasing the blocks you didn't use in the top. Then it's reversible so you can go full-on or minimal depending on your mood. :-)
Good luck!
2, 2, 2, I love the orderly but slipping away composition. I will have to read on and see what you have decided. Please let it be 2
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