Friday1961

Forgive me for bringing this back to the board, but my request for suggestions and your thoughtful comments have resulted in a kind of epiphany for me. The photos below demonstrate what I've realized. The white on white sashing, though a pretty severe contrast, draws attention to the blocks and makes them "pop"--stand out. The print sashing, which someone suggested, lets the blocks disappear, so that the eye goes to the center: the pinwheels and 4 patches, and/or sees the quilt as a whole. Because I'm old school and like "matchy matchy" as designers now call it, I respond to the more traditional, formal, print sashing. It unifies the quilt, blends it, puts the emphasis on the entire quilt instead of the individual blocks. I like it....and I also think it is a little boring.

Until I studied photos of these layouts I hadn't ever fully realized what sashing--as well as borders, etc.--can and sometimes does, do to completely change a quilt's total image. A long time sewer, I'm a fairly new quilter and I'm still fascinated by the visuals, the illusions, of quilts -- the primary and secondary patterns that are created by the blocks and the arrangement of blocks and surrounding fabric -- and I'm still learning about it. Sometimes you--or I, at least-- cannot see these with the eye, but the camera sees it. (I discovered that when making my chicken attic window quilt; I couldn't see and appreciate the illusion until I took photos of it. ) Also, sometimes we (as the creators) are just too close to the project and can no longer see either the pieces or the whole.

Anyway, still not sure how I will finish this quilt. Will I go safe and comfortable with the print sashing or modern and a little daring with the WOW? Will I use the orange as a very narrow flange? Haven't decided. But I wanted to share what your suggestions and comments have helped me realize!

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michelleoc

Personally, I like the white, which I never would have guessed. I think a skinny orange flange around each block and also on the border would be really cool!

Monika

I love these blocks. It will be interesting to see your final choices. I'm sure it will be great no matter which way you go. I prefer the white, but it is not my quilt. It is one of the things I love about quilting: Different people can make the same pattern so different with just small design choices that make big impacts.

Tartan

I like the print sashing better than the white. Nice blocks and it will look good either way but I like to go with what will stay clean looking the longest.

Dina

I like the white. Not sure why though. Somehow it gives it a crisp look.

Dina

Lori S

I like the white.. it adds just a bit more color/contrast.

Billi

Exactly how I feel, the print is very pretty and not a wrong choice because it does exactly as you described and emphasize the whole quilt not the blocks. Either way I would love to see the narrow orange flange incorporated.

dakotamaid

Agree! No matter what sashing a narrow orange is going to make this quilt.

quiltin-nannie

I like the contrast of the white, but either way will look great!

lfstamper

White seems more modern while print seems more traditional. Either one is beautiful. Depends on the recipient maybe?