I inherited these vintage sues from my husband's grandmother. She didn't finish them. I just finished the embroidery last night (unless I had something to 3 more hats). The fabrics are as old as they appear to be. I have 175 2.5 inch squares of vintage fabric (not repros). I have been planning to do a triple irish chain with these with the vintage fabric pieces as the center chain. But I can't decide what fabric or colors to use as the other two chains. The block background fabric is unbleached muslin. There are so many colors on these blocks---help!

I'm so new I can't help you, but I can tell you they are beautiful!

How lovely, and what a treasure.

I've seen some quilts with blocks outlined with the strongest color in them, then all sewed together with like far from like. In other words, no two colors together.

And I've also seen some lovely ones with a single color banding all of the blocks, with 2 or 3 contrasting colors all around the quilt itself.

I know you will make these family treasures into something that your family will keep for many years down the line. Take pictures and let us see what you do with them.

More pics...

Last of the pics...

I love the idea of combining your aquired Sun Bonnet Sue blocks within an Irish Chain design. If this were my project I'd choose black and gray as the other two irish chain colors to showcase and not detract from the multitude of colors in your treasured vintage fabrics which will be the WOW factor in your quilt. I think black/gray would also work to make the embroderiery pop.

Okay, one more pic of 12, removing the one that blends the least (will make a pillow with it.) Would it be crazy to use white as one of the chain colors? I thought I wanted to use reproduction prints, along with the vintage ones, but can't figure out what color or color mix....maybe orange?

So solids black and gray? Makes sense. Would you use the vintage squares also?

Very Cute!! :) I really like these. :thumbup:

I had this same problem (vintage sue and all) a few months ago. I ended up choosing a purple with yellow flowers that had a vintage feel to it. I do a lot of scrap quilting and finding one color to tie it all together can be a chore. I think you might look at a light blue or yellow. Can't wait to see the finished project! Good luck! :)