Thank you for the encouragement and compliments.

I chose a wide, neutral batik backing, similar to the neutrals I used on the front. I will be quilting by check and asked for something light and airy, edge to edge.

Has anyone made a decision on backing yet? I would love to see photos of people's backing fabrics. I've been wondering if a light printed fabric would look too cluttered with such a busy top, so have been considering looking for a purple tonal. I associate the quilt with the French countryside because of those photos of the lavender fields, so would like to find something with that French country feel.[/QUOTE]

I ordered a wide backing from Connecting Threads called Radiance. It is kind of busy, but I think it has a lot of white background. There is a little lavender and gold/yellow and a fair amount of green that will coordinate with the front. I figure it will hide my quilting pretty well. I will be quilting it myself on my Bernina 153 QE, so it will be a struggle to cram it into the throat space. I was going to try to get Allietare! quilted first, but I may do En Provence instead. Either way, it's going to be quite a production!

Leslie

My units are all done but I've only assembled one block. The sashing strips in the attached photo are laid next to the block; they have not been sewn on. I changed the "large" (who would think that a 3" block would be large?) plain square to a HST, as many others did. I think the success of the plain block is dependent on the fabrics used. In my case, the pumpkin is too close in value to the green and the blue - which made for a muddy mess in the center with the star not showing at all. I am pleased with how the block looks with this change.

I just realized that the 4-patches in my sashing (in my case, blue) are ALL sideways. Where Bonnie's are dark squares, mine are light and vice versa. I'm trying to decide if this is really a problem and they all need to be changed, or if it really doesn't make any difference. Correcting them wouldn't be as much of a hassle if I hadn't sewn over half immediately after doing some paper piecing and without changing stitch length. Taking those seams out, with tiny stitches, would be a pain in the neck. What are your thoughts?

Peace and Joy,
Robin

I love your colors Robin, and no, I don't think the 4 patches are a big deal. They look good the way you have them.

Robin, your colors are just gorgeous! No, I don't think it matters with the position of the sashing 4-patches. I'm not sure it would be an issue even if your blues were high contrast, but they are fairly low contrast and I can't see any advantage in having them go the other way.

Ditto what Lisa said. Don't change them, I like your colors. Live with the block for a couple of days, you may grow to like it as is.


I am slowly making progress on mine. All parts are sewn and all are trimmed except for part 1. Some of the blocks are a tad bit too small and need to be taken apart and sewn with a scant 1/4" seams. Thank goodness there are only half the number needed for the full size.

I, also, love your colors, Robin, and agree that the color placement should be fine. Your block looks fabulous! As Pennycandy said, live with the block for a few days and see if it feels right to you. It's your quilt, so do what seems like the best. I love the look of the star with the half-square triangles.

Leslie

I finished my top and got a few photos of it. There's nowhere in my house that I can get it all in a picture. My backing came today, so now I'm torn about whether to baste En Provence first or do Allietare! Either one is going to be a big production.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]568383[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]568384[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]568385[/ATTACH]

Leslie

peaceandjoy, I wouldn't attempt taking out tiny 'paper-pieced' size stitches if they are super tiny. If you like it as it is then there isn't really a reason to make different. I think your block looks super! The colors are rich and the contrasts define the pattern well.
audsgirl, great finish there! Congrats! It's a big size. :-)

audsgirl, that is absolutely gorgeous! Congratulations! As for which one to do first, if you have momentum going with En Provence, ride the wave!