I am working on this quilt for a friend to give his wife for Christmas... He says she loves dragonflies and wants the quilt to have dragonflies all over it. The color he wants me to use are rose and brown. This is what I have so far, but am really hesitatant to go on.... It feels to me like tooooo many dragonflies and I just am not happy with it. More important, I just don't think she will like it!
Honest opinions please... should I try to find rose/brown fabric and alternate blocks or put it together like this. I will definately call him to come see it before I do any more than 3 rows...
It just isn't setting right with me, but then again I have been working on this since July so maybe I am just burned out

The color combination is great and the dragonflies are look wonderful, but I have to agree with you that there may be too many if you continue on this path. Alternating with plain blocks would look great and the open space if you used a solid block would give a place for the quilting to show.

mltquilt

I can't tell how big the blocks are, but maybe if you think there are to many dragonflies, you can use then as border blocks?

What about a D9P with the dragonflies more scattered? Or perhaps a simple flower or something to break up the dragonflies. I think something like a D9P would give the quilt more movement,hovever I am no expert lol.

I think what you have is very pretty but I personally would prefer mixing it up with some other fabrics. And I know that colors can look way different on the computer but I would call this pink. To me rose is a deeper, richer color.

If you're sure she won't like it then I think you already have your answer :-)

i love your dragonflies! i think it would be nice with all dragonflies. however, to break it up, just do alternate blocks and quilt a dragonfly outline in the plain blocks

What if you made these the border for the quilt and did something simple like nine patch blocks for the body of the quilt. I really like the blocks but like you I think its missing something. A large appliqued dragon fly on the body of the quilt would be nice also.

I know colors are different on each computer, but I think of rose as being a bit deeper which would give more contrast to set off yor beautiful dragonflies.

thank you all... I think I will try to find a fabric to make alternate blocks and sew a couple up that way to show him... this has to be done for Christmas so can't get myself into too much more work. As for the color, it really is a deep pink... but he has seen the colors and approves them. You know guys.. when they say rose, they mean pink... ha ha ha

Your dragonflies are great but you don't want it to look too child-like. Maybe you could find a nice floral in the colors hubby chose and use your wonderful dragonflies on a inner border. You did not say how big the quilt would be but I think you need something to boost the drama a little. I know how hard it is to design something without a clear picture, I had the same thing this summer. My instructions were lots of brown and flowers. Good luck!

That's what I was going to suggest. Swing them around in the border, but I have no suggestion for the middle of the quilt then.

a simple flower with a dragonfly landing on it

There are nice rose/brown prints available. It does need some motion and the D9P is a good idea. Two dragonfly corners, two print corners and the rose in the center would do it.

Did you do the embroidery for the dragonflies? If so why not do a alternating block with a simple rose embroidered in the same shade of pink?

Go to greenfairyquilts.com and search for dragonfly pattern. She has a really cute one you may want to look at. She also does an amazing dragonfly quilting pattern.

This is what I was thinking. Alternate the blocks with another fabric and quilt a dragonfly in the alternated block. This would give you dragonflies all over the quilt as he requested, but break up your wonderful blocks a little and give it a little punch with the other fabric.

I agree with the plain block idea but with a dragonfly as quilting. Plain block white = plain white thread as quilting. Muslin = cream thread as quilting.

Edited to add-Oh my several others have the same idea!

I think it's going to be too many dragonflies unless you use something to break it up.

I like it just the way it is, it looks very soft and warm.

On to plan B.... talked with my friend... he agreed, too many dragonflies. Sooo, hubby drove me to a quilt shop an hour away. Sew Elegant Quilt Shop in Port Huron, MI. My oh my.... that is the largest quilt shop I have ever seen!! The lady working their was awesome in helping us find fabric that would work. Now, I will be doing the dragonfly block sashing only in pink, then the new fabric the same size as the dragonfly block - then I will snowball the new fabric and possibly the dragonfly block with the brown. I am excited again!!! YAY Will post pictures once I get some blocks done. Thanks all for confirming my opinion of needing more to give the quilt oooomph.. :)

Edited to add... this will be an oversized queen quilt

I love the dragonflies, and I also think it would look great with the blocks alternating with a different block, to break it up, and add depth and dimension...
Here is an idea I found that is pretty, maybe a take on it if you decide to do another pattern and not a blank square to alternate; it is from emsewandsew.blogspot.com: http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pgGd8vKz5Q...ragonflies.jpg

UPDATE - Here is the look I am going with. I am so much happier with this and I think the gal who will receive it will like it too. Don't know if her hubby will or not, but oh well... can't please everybody and since he is gifting it to her, I think it more important to please her.

I think doing alternate blocks with a matching print would be good. Just saw your new layout. Looks Great!

Terrific!

Yes!!!! :thumbup:

Oh that is the perfect solution!! Just the right balance now and may i say your dragon-flies are adorable!!

perfect. It will be a lovely quilt.

I think this would look fabulous as an irish chain, with the dragonflies in the "open" areas between the chains.

Or what you have :) I just saw your updated photo - it is lovely.