Jan in VA

The quilt below is the one I've received for the last round in our guild's current Round Robin Challenge. This round is "quilter's choice" and it still doesn't help me know what to do to help this.

The second round quilter applied a striped fabric and a white fabric in very large elongated triangles for a border. To me is doesn't seem to fit at all and it makes the shape off balance; now the quilt looks collywopped. I don't have a clue how to improve things. The owner of this quilt is a guy who does amazing, intricately pieced, artsy work usually; this quilt is nothing like him! I will be the last to work on it before he takes it home.

The green that you see is "in progress" star flowers and leaves that the 3rd round quilter is going to finish with her trademarked thread painting. I will have the quilt when she is done. My time will be limited as she has had some heath issues and is running into "my" month with her work.

Help!! Any suggestions??

Jan in VA

QuiltnNan

well, the only thing i can think of is to find something that will balance it. i'd say, repeat something like the triangles, but instead of making it a stripe or solid, put an applique look to it... perhaps something that has a large size near the whiter corner and goes to smaller... i was thinking flying geese, but those are already in a round. maybe a couple of birds on a branch nearer the corner and extending the branch toward the stripe-y corner. [better you than me]. i have faith that you will find the right thing as you are so talented.

carolstickelmaier

Oh my....I agree the white with dark stripes does not go with the rest. Sorry but I have no ideas for you but will interested in the outcome. I keep looking at it but I too am stumped. I will keep watch and if any ideas come into my mind while I am trying to sleep (best ideas appear then) I will post back. Good luck, I am sure you or someone will have a great idea and it will turn out great. Keep up the good work.
I just read quiltnans idea...like the birds and branches carried to outer edge....maybe even overlapping the white in areas to meld them together.

nhweaver

I would continue with the optical illusion border, and "square " it off, with black or deep red to compliment the robins.. It may improve the wonky look illusion

bigsister63

Boy are you right!!!!!!!! Good luck! I like the idea of birds on a branch going over the triangle and into the flying geese. Post a Pic when you are done!!!

Tartan

I am not loving the last border either. Can you appliqué two cardinals facing each other in the light triangle corners? How about repeating the red flying geese appliqued along the darker strip (small to large)into the light fabric?
What I really want to do is take off the last round and save that beautiful center!!!

Grace creates

Hi, The wonky last border is really not to bad. Since the flying geese are red and white, I would pick up some red and make it match the white from the last border. Can you then add some applique that sits between the last white and your red? I'm not sure if adding applique in the white of the last border would be considered rude, or appreciated as it can be an enhancement.

gramajo

That's my thought also, but maybe use a medium blue from the stripe and then use QuiltnNan's idea of appliqueing birds on a branch from the blue onto the stripe.

DogHouseMom

I would add a row that mimic's the light portions of the previous row as close as possible, then add applique to the two corners and extend the applique into the previous row to hopefully balance it all out. I see that it is a print, so if you could match that print that would be ideal. If not ... try to match the white portion then work your applique in the darker color with small additions of red (for the cardinal) and green (to match the green in the center). Perhaps mimic the pine branch with pine cones from the center panel. I think I would make your border wider than the previous border to take the focus off of it.

Jan in VA

I thank you and Nan and all the others, but I don't applique very often and certainly not the tiny pieces and amount that would be needed for this. I hope there are more responses!!

Jan in VA