Need help with this Star Quilt
 

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It's been forever since I've been here - I've just been busy. However, when I needed help, this is the first place I thought to come to since everyone is always so kind and knowledgeable.

I'm making the attached star quilt. First - does it seem unbalanced to you? (I need some honest answers.) I was thinking maybe I need to switch one of the lower blocks to the top. Maybe the bottom second from the right to the top second from the left? Or have I just been looking at it too long?

And then I don't know what to do about the borders - this is a 53 inch square. I know I need a black slashing around it - maybe 2 1/2 (same as the slashing between blocks )or should it be wider 5 1/2? And then some type of pieced border? It would be nice to make it into a queen size.

Thanks for your help and ideas.

This is so pretty! add that black stopper border just to the design wall and step back. The only thing that catches my eye are the two blocks with the brighter points: purple and red, and purple and white. Maybe on either side of the feathered star? Opposite sides of the star? I really think tho, that its just perfect the way it is. I like Tartans idea of the flying geese too! I would add a smallish black border before the geese. It serves two purposes: One to give your eye a rest and to be able to see the star points. and 2. if you put the geese right up next to the stars, you have many seams to deal with. The border will eliminate all that. Can't wait to see what you decide!

This is very pretty. I might put the larger blocks in the corner. Always take a photo BEFORE moving the blocks. I like Tartan idea. If you have a wide black border, be sure to have a stencil or the ability to do some specially quilting in it.

Lovely blocks! I agree that you're should swap either the right most bottom row or the one next to it, as you suggested, into second from left on top row to balance the values. The top has more "dark" and the bottom more "light" as it is laid out now.

On the top row, to me, the first two blocks look a lot alike and could be separated. The 3rd and 4th friendship style blocks also could be separated.

Your quilt is stunning! Love the black background and the rich colors.

I like the colors and the individual blocks.

Ten of the twelve blocks have black corners - you might consider changing the corners on the two that have colored corners to black?

I did a re-arrangement of your blocks - not totally thrilled with what I did - but you can look at it and see what you think. I also colored the corners on those two blocks black.

If you have a color printer - you can print out your picture and do cut and paste.

I think I would swap the 3rd and 4th block on the top row to put the stars with the most pink in balance.

another try

What a great idea - to print this out and move the blocks around. Makes it easier to see when it's not taking up most of my living room floor and the dog is not running across it.


This looks so much better. I did think about changing out those corners to black, but seeing it makes such a difference.

There have been so good ideas here - and now I'm going to start working on re-arranging these blocks.
Thanks so much.

I think I prefer the first one - as it seems more balanced.

Tratan and ManicQuiter2, I do like this idea of the flying geese. And yes, you are right if I have a wider black border I need to have a good quilt design for it. Thanks.

You are welcome. Thank you for letting me play. :)

Bear is gray did a great job.

Here's what I did--might sound silly, but I held up my fist in front of my eyes , then slowly opened it and peered through the "lens" and looked at your quilt through that It really helped define the shapes and values . I think the bottom right star should change places with the second one in the top row. It spreads out the brightness for more balance .And I'm wondering if the "not pointy cornered" stars are throwing off the balance maybe? They're all really cool blocks, but to me, the non-starry ones seem to not work as well where they are.

I like the idea of the four pinks in the corner and balancing the more "whispy" stars among the more solid ones.

As for the border, I would add a narrow floater border with a diamond or square in a square border. Then a solid black for some great quilting.

That works well. I might try switching the second and third ones on the bottom row to spread out the brightness.

Love the idea of being able to adjustthis for someone. Great work!! And what a kindness!


I think I like Mad Quilter's layout thebest but agree with Zozee about switching the 2[SUP]nd[/SUP] and 3[SUP]rd[/SUP]blocks on the bottom. I think that would just make this layout rock!


As for the border, why not do what isinside the middle block to pick up on that? You could make thosetriangles bigger to both give it more size and to be similar butdifferent, like a nice contrast. I think that is what I would do. The blocks are all so pretty (fantastic job btw!!) and they are alsoquite busy. If the border gets too busy it will take the eye awayfrom the blocks which in my opinion are the focus. I think the sameborder as the interior would just be a nice complement and would helpthat big block stand out where it could get lost in the shuffle withtoo many distractions and patterns going on around it.


Just my opinion. Thanks for allowingme to share it. :)

I agree about switching places for the 2nd and 3rd blocks on the bottom of MadQuilter's lay out.

Try putting the blocks with the stronger colors in the corners. I'd try the ones with the red on opposite corners--upper right and lower left with the purples in the other 2 corners. As to border--perhaps, as you say--a narrow black to let it float and then one of those lavenders that's already in the piece. Maybe just stitch piano keys in that last border or some other simple quilting design. I'd be careful of making a border too busy with all the different designs in your blocks. Don't want to take away from those. Very pretty!

Thanks, bear, for doing that. I think I would just take out the top two middle stars. Take off the bottom row, too, and switch those six stars around until you like them. That's why it is good to hang your quilt in a prominent place so you can look at it for a few days/weeks/months? Something will hit you between the eyes, and you know you have to change that.
As for the black corners, they are not really noticeable because of the black that goes around everything anyway. And I like the idea of a black stop border and then the addition of larger borders (flying geese or whatever else trips your trigger) to make the quilt bigger.

Another suggestion/reminder: If you can - take pictures of your layouts/arrangements while you do them.

Sometimes things jump out at one in a picture that one just does not "see" when looking at the object itself.

I love this arrangement! All those suggested are good, but this one satisfies my need for balance and color, I think.....my OCD! Lovely quilt! And it will be gorgeous however you finally arrange the blocks.

Oh my - I knew I would get help and I DID! Thank you all so much. Your information is just so helpful.

I also re-learned something: to wait and not be impatient. I had all those blocks sewn to the center feathered star block. I started unsewing this last night. I had sewed all those blocks up because I was SICK of having this quilt hanging around. I've had it for at least 15 years. I should have taken my time and let it sit for a while and played with it. I was sort of lost on what to do - I should have come here first. So now I'll work on it and post it again later.

I can't thank you enough!

The top right hand block--- I would change the four corners to the brighter red like the center. making it look larger.

Whatever you decide to do, this will be one fantastic quilt.

I might switch the 2 at the bottom right just for a bit more color balance or take the bottom right corner and swap it with one on the top row. I love doing multiple colored borders when I have these colors in the blocks. I would frame it with a small black just to stop the eye and then either do a multi colored border (perhaps pieces 4" to 6" long and 2" wide) Then finish with another black border and binding. Or do several small to larger borders - 1 1/2" black, med purple and med blue (or whatever are your 2 favorite colors in the blocks) and then finish with wider black border and black binding. I just like the idea of bringing out the colors of the various blocks. Whatever you choose will work great given that the base quilt top is really nice - love the variety.

I like the second arrangement Bear did. Also, after the black inner border, I'd suggest doing an outer border with triangles that are a larger version of what you have around the center. That would help add unity to the quilt since you have all the different sampler blocks.

First, I think your quilt is absolutely stunning; second, I tend to agree with you about switching the two blocks.