Opinions/Ideas???
 

Trying to decide if I should add strips between the blocks... (?)
Rearrange the blocks... (?)

What would you do? The person I'm making this for prefers darker/subtle colors.

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Have you tried turning the blocks? You could end up with an interesting pattern or two that way. I do that when I make up blocks, before sewing anything together - to see if there is something else I might like better. What fabric line has the Texas blocks? I'd love to buy a few of those to make a quilt for my son, who used to live in Texas....

DebbE, not sure I still have the side strip to let you know the fabric line. I'll check. It had a total of 8 blocks. The other are rodeo/cowboy pictures.

I did try turning the blocks. Couldn't figure out what to do with the picture blocks though.

do you have anymore of that really dark blue fabric. if so, i'd add that around the Texas blocks instead of the lighter fabric showing past the blue on them. I don't think sashing strips are needed since the person you're making it for likes dark. but a border too would help.

I also think this would look good.

Yep, I've got more of the really dark blue. Probably when I sew the picture squares, the light border will disappear.. that was the plan anyway. :D But if they're not "right sized", a dark blue border would help it pop.

Please, keep the ideas coming. Thanks!

i think the dafkest marble blue should be added. the solid blues are throwing me i think. maybe pull ot those and do something else there. also turn some more of the blocks. it is a lovely quilt. maybe pull in a deep brown or rusty color. those solid blues seem out of place to'me. wrong tone or shade. the darkest one is fine how ever. i think thgat if the blues had texture to them like all the other fabric they would work but they just draw the eye too much. but this is only my opinion. good luck. post the final product. would love to see it.

Just a thought. Maybe complete the squares on the outside by turning them and then put the pictorial blocks down the center. Can't quite picture how it would look but might work.

Have you tried putting the picture blooks ramdonly in the center. I think they get lost as cornerstones. Are there any other pic blocks that you could you for that center? Also I think that the bright blue is throwing me off since it is the first color that I see. I would try putting the pic blocks in the center surounded by the green one that are facing with the lg square toward the center. and maybe the bright blocks as the corner stones and the other dark blue blocks as a filler. Show us what you decide.

I think there is too much color grouping....a more random placement of the blocks, as well as turning some of them, will look better than trying to keep them organized....mixing them up, including the picture blocks, will draw the eyes all over the quilt, instead of just one place....I don't think any sashing is needed....just mixed up the blocks....JMHO

I agree with bringing the picture blocks more to the center - how about bringing them one space diagonally toward the center? Then alternate the green/blue blocks with the bright blue on the outside rows maybe?

I vote with QuiltingVagabond, the pics should move up and in, and I would mix the green and blue blocks, too "muddy" with the green all together, they will blend well all over the quilt with the blues.

Great ideas! Guess because I think everything NEEDS to be organized, that's why they are/were arranged that way. I've been messin' with them for a while this morning, not 100% happy. Maybe I do need to "muddy" them up a bit! Thanks.


The panel is: Red River II by Yuko Hasegawa/2012 RJR Fabrics

I'd even considered putting the picture blocks on the back... beings they're what seems to be giving me headaches. Going to try y'alls suggestions and see what works.

Thank each of you. I appreciate you taking the time to help. :thumbup:

Be sure and show us what you decide.

Why are you using the pic blocks? are they the main inspiration/theme for the quilt or an after thought since you have them so why not use them. Putting them on the back may confuse the user as to which is the back and what is the front. Maybe you should not use them at all. I personally think that they will add pizzaz to the quilt if used in the center and tone down the bright blue.

equilter.com has the Texas fabric, a new panel that I really like.

I like sashing to set blocks, nice work.........calla

This looks great, I agree with the post that suggest adding more of that dark deep blue; and I would add a strip! Great job

IMO, if someone were to use this on a bed, or on their lap, the pictures would get 'lost' if staying on the edges. Consider moving the pictures 'into' the quilt. If the layout of each of the other blocks is what you had planned, leave those, but switch 4 of them out for the pictures. I think putting the green blocks around the pictures would set off the pictures, then the blues around those, and use blue/green fabric as a border, add the lighter blue for a border and add a dark blue binding. So much you can do by rearranging the blocks and colorings.

I think sashing would look good. I am with DebbE on turning the blocks to see what you get. then you might come up with something different.

Well ladies... it's finished! All your ideas and suggestions really helped me figure out what would work and make my friend happy. Thank you so much.

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Doubt you can make it out... but I machine quilted the shape of Texas in each corner, then a big star in the center. Plus outlined each picture/square. After that, I tied the rest. Was going to machine quilt diagional lines across, but the back kept puckering. I'm happy with it and think my friend will be too.

Again, thank y'all for your encouragement.

Wow, great job. Can't even believe it is the same quilt. Like this incarnation the best.

Looks great, this is a great example of how different a quilt can look when you play with the arrangement.

Thanks!
You know one thing that helped was making a dark blue border around the pictures. Made it seem like they belonged there. :rolleyes:

Yes, like the final arrangement much better. You done good girl. To prevent puckering on the backing, I use the basting spray & a walking foot for cross hatch quilting. These two items are a must for me. I never get puckers. I can see the big star & the Texas in the corners. Like I said, you done good.

Looks good with photos more centered and colors mixed up. I really like the blue border.

I think I would be tempted to place the picture blocks in the center then work around with the blue... and then the green I would arrange the color blocks so they act as a frame ......sort of trip around the world style..then add a border with one of the fabrics used...not the print..

Love, love, love how you rearranged it! Perfect solution. As said above, can hardly believe its the same quilt as in the first post.