I've finished the center of the military branches quilt for my DH, but need suggestions on how to finish it. I was thinking of putting the four branches of service, one at each corner, but I still have 2 areas 12 x 40 finshed and 2 areas 12 x 60 finished to fill. I have approx 2 yds of the blue, 2 yds of the red and 1 yd of the flag fabric left. I was thinking of having a six inch braid and a six inch red, but I'm not sure I have enough fabric. Suggestions ?? Help!!

My first thought was to do a 4 inche inner border of red, an 8 inch outer border in blue and bind it with the flags..

Then I noticed how the small blue squares form a cross pattern through the center, It would be cool if you could piece your borders in blue and red so that you carry those blue squares continuously into the border..

I would still bind with the flags.

Just some thoughts

That's a cool idea, arrrghh, I wish I had something like EQ so I could test this stuff out. This is the first quilt I've made that hasn't been from a pattern, so I'm drawing like crazy on graph paper.... :?

Thanks for the idea, keep 'em coming!

Boy, that is really looking sharp! You've done a great job so far! Keep going!

Ok, since you like the idea, I have been looking at this and I think the only way you can carry the blue squares into the border evenly is to remove the blue border you currently have on the outer edge.

Then make a border of 12 inch squares like the ones you have from the blue and flag, only make them from blue and red
using the military ones in the corners..

Then reapply your blue border around the entire thing and bind with the flags..

What do you think?

I think this would do two things.. you would accentuate the pattern made by the blue squares and
you would cause the red in the center part of your quilt to pop as well.

I know you dont have a lot of fabric to play with, but...
You could make up one blue and red block and lay it in place to see if you like the effect before making a commitment to the idea

Ok, so I've played in excel to see if I can come up with your layout. What do you think? It seems like alot of red to me.

Sorry, Lori, since I am work, I cant download your pdf to look at it..

but in my mind, Im thinking you are going to need some plain blocks in the border too... maybe blue or can you make the border squares 6 inches instead of 12 and put your blue border back on the outer 6 inches?

Can you post it as a picture?

Oh, I'm at work too.... sshhhh, let's not let anyone know we aren't really working.... LOL

lets try this.... now I'm just playing, but nothing seems to reach and speak to me yet.

OK, here is a thought..

on the first one,, stop at the hour glasses and replace that outside row of checkerboard with a solid blue down the length

and remember that you wont have that much red as your center squares are made with the flag fabric.. that will tone it down a bit too

Like this? Hmmmm, this is better than the first two.

You ladies are very talented, and I admire that you're able to sort things through like this.
You mentioned playing with excel, do you actually mean it's possible to get that drawing from an excel spreadsheet program?

yep, make your columns and rows the same size, then color the cells. I use 17 pixels for each then shrink the percentage view so that I can see the whole thing. The drawing toolbar helps with shapes. Once you get a square, you can copy, paste to duplicate.

Ok now I am wondering what would happen if you used some of the flag fabric in your border

just in the first two rows, and where the red checkerboard is next to the red in the quilt blocks..

you should need only 1/2 yard of the flags for binding..

Ill calc to make sure

I like this one... I have 2 yds each of plain red/white/blue that I was going to use for the backing, so I'll have other binding options. I also still have some flag 1/2 square triangles left over that I can use.

What 'cha think?

Yeah, its lookin pretty good..

Something still bothering me about the inner border,

I have to go, but Ill look again later today

I also calculated your binding and if you cut your strips 2 inches wide for a double fold binding you should be able to get it from 1/2 yard

LoriJ -

That quilt is absolutely fantastic!! My DS has been medically retired from the Army at the ripe old age of 23. My DSIL is in the USAF.

You did a wonderful job!!

And - just to vote - - I like Layout #4 the best, then #1.

Lynne

Lori, I love the notched effect top and bottom - Is it possible to move the triangle blocks on the sides so the blue meets up with the blue border?

Yeah, I like that idea too Lori, that might make the difference

Lori, I have about a yard and a half of the flag fabric (looks the same anyway) if it would help you out I would be happy to send it to you!

Is this what you meant? I am very grateful for all your input, I was at such a loss last night as to what to do. Now, it just keeps looking better and better. Thank you!

Thank you for your offer Melissa. Let's see what we end up with and I'll take you up on it if needed. :D

Yes, thats it...

I like it now...great suggestion Moonpi

Ok just let me know!! :D

So.... to do this, I'm looking at 1. take off the 2 inch border I have on now, 2. blue and flag 4 patch squares, 3. red squares and 4. the same centers as in the blocks, all measuring 4 1/2 inches, right? Then I sew together, add the blue borders and voila! we're done.....!!

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!

Lynne, thank you very much. I hope your DS is doing better, I know that's gotta be hard. My DH is retired Army with partial disability and my DS is 23 and in the Army Reserve, currently in his college's ROTC program, so he'll most likely be back over in the sandbox when he graduates next year. (he spent a year over there right out of high school in 2004-5)

and last, post a picture of the finished product...

I definately will. Thanks again, you all are lifesavers and very creative.

wow.. never thought to use Excel for quilt layouts!!! hee hee not just for spreadsheets anymore!!! very cool!

I am in no way an expert, actually I am just a beginner. I just wanted to respond to say that it is absolutely beautiful!!!!!

ACK !! Now I KNOW I need to take a computer class -- even at this old age. These posts have totally BLOWN MY MIND.

ACK !! Now I KNOW I need to take a computer class -- even at this old age. These posts have totally BLOWN MY MIND.

Everyone, thank you so much for your help on this project. I have another dilemma. I do not think I have enough of the blue stars to finish the border. Does anyone know where I can find Cranston Village Shooting Stars 60987P-Royal? Thanks!

Here you go Lori--at Bear Paw Quilts

http://www.bearpawquilting.com/cgi-b...es=0&lastmenu=

The quilt is really stunning. Question, tho--there are 5 services; Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard. Maybe you could work that one in in the middle to make it look like a Cross.

Peg-tx

Thanks Marcia!

Peg, I wish I could, because the Coasties should not be ignored. But, the service blocks are made with panels, and only 4 of the 5 services were depicted. I have a large patch that lists all 5 that will go in the center of the quilt.

Ok all, I finished the top. I ended up having JUST enough of the blue (as in only about 10 inches by 15 inches left) whew!.... I still need to quilt it, but that will have to wait a bit 'cause I need to get snapping on my DD's halloween costume.

Thanks bunches to jstitch and Moonpi for their very helpful suggestions! I don't know what I would have done without you.....:)

OMG Lori,

I love how it turned out..it is truly a one of a kind

How about you, are you happy with it?

And now that it is done, I am thinking that the binding should be blue...
Too bad you dont have any more of it...

I really like it and more importantly, DH loves it. He wants me to make another one so that his veterans support group can raffle it off. I told him only if I get all my other projects done and if I can find the service panels again since we found them by accident at Hancocks on clearance.

Do you want me to check my Hancocks?

I am going into town today...

How much do you want, if I find it and what do you want to pay?

Ours might not be on sale