Which is "the better of two evils"?
 

I have just completed a top that is primarily white columns with a scattering of colored HSTs. My problem is that I did not have enough white to complete the top as the fabrics were from my stash. So, I had to purchase more (about 25% of the top) but try as I might, I could not match the white. So I settled on the best match I could manage. Visually, it makes me wince a bit (think bright white versus cream) but I am "taking it on the chin" and chalking it up to experience....the quilt is just for me so it's no real drama. I have now found some other white in my stash...a closer match to the predominant white in the top BUT I think it is a thinner weave/quality. Once it is placed on top of the batting I'm thinking it's thin-ness won't be noticeable and once it is quilted all will be secure. So, do I replace the obvious "wince" white columns with the thinner weave stuff so it looks more consistent colour wise or do I leave it as is and be satisfied that quilting and time will "soften" the colour difference. And, is the thinner but closer matching coloured fabric likely to cause problems if it is an inferior quality? What is more important...

This is what happens when I try to be a good girl and use what fabric I have instead of buying more!:(

i'd leave what you have. the new white you say is closer, but it probably isn't perfect. you'd go to all that work and then maybe still not be satisfied? if it were for a gift, i'd probably feel differently

What she said.

I would also just leave it. It's making you wince because you'e looking at it very critically. I haven't seen it, but I would think it adds visual interest!

From what you have said, I am thinking that the added white/cream is more so bordering the main part of your quilt top. Thus would not be that hard to remove and switch in the new whiter one?

I am one who is of the mind that it is better to take the time and switch things while I still can. Usually those early gut feelings are bang on!! So I might as well listen to it, as later, I will just hate it .... and hide the quilt! Why do all the work, if ?????????

My suggestion would be to lay your quilt top on top of a bed, or floor.
Then overlay your new white onto the parts you are replacing.
Then walk away.

Periodically come back, for what I call that "quick glance" .... often times to me, it is those quick unexpected looks at something (like this) that tell me whether it is the "right" match, or not. Whereas, if I "study" it, I start second guessing myself............

I am doing that right now with a border candidate. I have it on the wall of my office, and when I walk in, I have forgotten about it, and the first, quick glance, lets me see it fresh and somewhat unexpectedly. Yes, I think it is the one! :)

Good Luck!

I'd keep what you have and add more color!

Add scrappy borders to enlarge the quilt.

I think it depends on what your plans are for the quilt...will it lay flat on a bed or be used as a throw? For me...I would use it as it is for a throw, but if it will be displayed I would change it...that would bug me.

I would change it with the better color match if the other will continue to irritate you.

if the new fabric seems thin, would it be possible to double it up? Or would that make too much bulk? It would eliminate the possibility of the batting showing thru?
If the difference in whites bothers you now, will you be happy if you can see it after quilting? If so, I'd bit the bullet and change it now. If not, then leave it.

One thing to think about is that you can visually change the color of a fabric with the choice of thread you use for quilting it. Is it possible to use the less white, but better quality, one and then use your thread choice to unify the color of that one with the white in the rest of the quilt when you quilt it?

Rob

After it's quilted and you're using it, the color difference won't be noticeable (I'm thinking). So I'd just leave it, finish it, and move on.

Thanks everyone for all your advice. Opinions seem pretty 50/50 so I am happy now to muse over my decision and know that either option has its merits. I am at work for the next 4 days so, as suggested will lay a strip of the white on top of one of the cream-ish columns and leave it for me to glance at over the next few days before deciding. Thanks again.

I specified in a group project that I wanted "crisp white" and of course, there were some off-whites in the mix. I ended up using them in a random layout. On the top alone it really bothered me but after the quilting it didn't. (I used a variegated thread across all blocks.)

You can also lay it out as is and take a picture. Seeing it that way has a different effect.

Without knowing what the pattern is - Is it possible to rearrange the whites so that the whites/creams are spread thru-out the quilt equally, giving it a balanced look?

Personally, I am anal and I would have to fix it - and if I really really didn't like the creamish fabric, that means switching it out. Otherwise, I would regret it.

sigh....Good luck!!

thanks, Rob--my thoughts exactly

Well it hasn't even been a day but after leaving the "whiter" white on the quilt top wouldn't you know it but by the end of today it is actually looking just as cream as the other!!! How crazy is that?! So, as suggested, and thanks very much for pointing this out to me..I have spent the afternoon considering how best to detract the eye from the glaring "ick" as best I can. I think I will quilt it quite densely in length-wise rows to help accentuate the column effect and give the eye an uninterrrupted fluid run from top to bottom. I'm thinking I might use an 80wt thread seeing I'm quilting so densely and will outline the HST first to stabilise them. Thanks again everyone..most appreciated. Hmmmmm, variegated thread or cream...hmmmmm

If it's going to bug you every time you use it, by all means change it. No sense in constantly reminding yourself of what you woulda, coulda, shoulda!

can u take a picture?

Oh those whites, I've been there done that too. What I try to do is put the first whites in some sort of pattern. Maybe only the center columns, since you've mentioned they are in columns. Then the new whites in the outer columns, even if it means not using all the first white columns. Form a pattern. Then as the quilt ages, whether the first whites change or the second whites change, it will look intentional. It will also look like you are very clever in placement. If it makes you wince, there is something your eye is seeing and will always see. Someone else will never see it.

You have made a decision so this is just an fyi for folks. I recently used a very vintage piece of cotton that was thin and virtually see through. Since I was using stash from my long gone gramma I wanted to use it. I ironed fusible shape flex think 101? To the piece I was using. It looked wonderful and the body was perfect....still soft and flexible (hence the name, lol) and approximated the weight of quality goods of today. I will be doing this again!

If it is for a binding, you could piece it in sections of 36", say, and then switch to the other white for 36", and continue
around the quilt like that so it will look "planned" and no one will be the wiser.

My first thought was to use the same colors in the columns as you suggest, as that would make it more planned.

I wouild use the closer match and then quilt it with COLOR.

Leave it---I'd go with better fabric -- it may all come out the same tone after use and washings.

Thanks everyone. I have replaced one of the columns so now it sort of looks like an intended design feature...yeah right!

how about putting the thinner white over the cream.

Alrighty, had a few spare hours this afternoon so I decided to baste it so it's ready to quilt and I can't fiddle with it anymore!:rolleyes: I appreciate everyones' advice and opinions; it certainly helped me get this top to a more satisfactory outcome than I could've done on my own. I have tried to take some pictures of my dilemma but they really don't show the difference between the shadings at all.

I have well and truly learnt my lesson about making sure you have ALL your fabric requirements before starting a project!!:o

Many thanks again and Happy New Year to everyone.

You probably won't be able to see it once it is quilted.Or at least no one else will notice it. I just had the same problem with an off white. I had no idea that off white would be that hard to match up. I was able to change the design so the 2 different colors didn't touch.

Yeah, what she said.

I would leave it as is as long as it is your own. We all have made quilts that aren't our favorites at first, but after it is all quilted & finished, it isn't as bad as we thought & you will love it just the same. Feels like I rambled but you know what I mean! lol

Once it is quilted it will have shadows, raises, dips, and all of those things change the tone of your white anyway. Don't change it. I don't like the thin fabric.