Which Border? And When To Wash?
 

One UFO on the way to done ... :thumbup: This is a Queen sized scrappy Bull's Eye that will be a scrappy rag Bull's Eye after it's washed. I will be so happy when it's done and out of here! So your opinions please.

First, since it's queen sized, and I don't know how easily it will fit in my home washing machine, do you think it's OK to wash the top alone since I want all the circles to fray -- it's raw edge applique that has been snipped.

Next ... I want to put a gray border on it to make it more "modern" (why is gray modern anyway) and will put a black binding on it. But which one? The first one has a circular pattern in varying grays. The second one is just gray. Unfortunately I photographed a predominantly black area of the quilt, but it is lighter in other areas ...

http://www.quiltingboard.com/attachm...d=496219&stc=1

http://www.quiltingboard.com/attachm...d=496220&stc=1

I like the gray circles fabric. You've got so much movement going on, that the plain gray, looks really plain.

I also like the gray circles. I like your quilt too. It is just pretty nifty looking! I don't have any advice for the washing question. I have never made a rag quilt, but my sister always takes hers to a laundry mat and uses one of their extra large machines. I think I would be afraid to wash just the top of one of mine....it would probably all fall apart.

But....I really know nothing about the washing part, so I hope someone else has a better reply than I do. :)

Again, I your quilt is wonderful!!

Dina

I agree with Barb. IMHO the circles on the grey echo the blocks and lead to the solid black, instead of abruptly solid.

Great quilt. As far as washing it, I would take it to a Laundromat & save your home washer!

I like the gray circles. I would be apprehensive about just washing the top along. I think it should have the stability of quilting and binding on it first. If your home washer is too small then go to the laundromat. I think you'll have a mess on your hands if you wash it before you quilt it.

I like the black, as for washing , finish your quilt completely than take it to the laundry mat. The Extra large washers and dryers are built to take a lot of abuse. The first few times you wash it all those little clipped threads will come out. They can cause your home machine trouble. Your home dryer 's lint trap will fill up fast to, check it often.

I vote for the gray with the circles it gives the quilt life. As for washing I would do after quilting and binding and if you take to laundromat I would run a hot water wash prior to putting quilt in. You never know what the person before you may have put in there and you would hate for grease or gunk to ruin your quilt.

i vote for the gray circles. looks great so far