Border opinion needed
02-19-2021, 05:58 AM
#11
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 85
Thank you so much for all the great ideas, and all the compliments! 
This quilt was definitely outside my comfort zone for fabrics and colors. I won this pack of Kaffe Fassett FQs at my LQS some time ago, and since they were fabrics I would usually never buy, it was a challenge to me to use them. I decided that since the fabrics were bold, I'd go bold with the quilt also. It's pushed me, but I'm really loving the results, and I'm now far more open to bold fabric choices than I was before.
Oh, you have no idea! It languished in the UFO pile for a long time, but I am determined to finish it now.
I'm really happy with how it's turning out, but I can tell you that it was one of the worst-written patterns I've used, and if I'd fully understood the method applied, I'd have done it in a completely different manner...but once I got going it was too late to change my method and I had to soldier on. However, all's well and all that!
I'm really liking this idea. I had wanted it a wee bit bigger, but I just can't find a color border that makes me happy. I think simple black is the way to go, and I *love* the idea of a multi-colored flange on black binding. Time to do another "first" for me with this quilt!
So with the caveat that I have seen better written patterns...it's from a magazine called "Down Under Quilts", issue #146. The pattern is called "Summer Soiree". I was able to download it, but that was years ago (2011?) and I haven't been able to find it online lately.
This quilt was definitely outside my comfort zone for fabrics and colors. I won this pack of Kaffe Fassett FQs at my LQS some time ago, and since they were fabrics I would usually never buy, it was a challenge to me to use them. I decided that since the fabrics were bold, I'd go bold with the quilt also. It's pushed me, but I'm really loving the results, and I'm now far more open to bold fabric choices than I was before.Oh, you have no idea! It languished in the UFO pile for a long time, but I am determined to finish it now.
I'm really happy with how it's turning out, but I can tell you that it was one of the worst-written patterns I've used, and if I'd fully understood the method applied, I'd have done it in a completely different manner...but once I got going it was too late to change my method and I had to soldier on. However, all's well and all that!
02-19-2021, 10:13 AM
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 432
That looks fab! You could go any way with this one, the one thing I would keep in mind is you have a visual star already in the quilt, don't compete with what you already have.
In a Round Robin I did a few years ago we had one instruction, "Make It Better"....that is a great guide when you are trying to decide on borders and bindings.
I am a huge fan of auditioning ideas up on the design wall (in my case black batting pinned to a wall).
Audition these and see what you like best...or see where it leads you!
1. Just a black binding
2. a black border of about 3", then a bright binding
3. a bright border (probably solid or reads as solid) and a black binding
3. turn and face (no border, no binding)
4. black and white...as a border or as a binding.
One will feel right to you...
In a Round Robin I did a few years ago we had one instruction, "Make It Better"....that is a great guide when you are trying to decide on borders and bindings.
I am a huge fan of auditioning ideas up on the design wall (in my case black batting pinned to a wall).
Audition these and see what you like best...or see where it leads you!
1. Just a black binding
2. a black border of about 3", then a bright binding
3. a bright border (probably solid or reads as solid) and a black binding
3. turn and face (no border, no binding)
4. black and white...as a border or as a binding.
One will feel right to you...
02-19-2021, 11:34 AM
#14
Power Poster
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 17,728
PiedPiper ... Taking Western Wilson's idea a bit further and merging with my earlier flange suggestion. I now wonder if the flange may be a little too small to really get the pop of colour effect. So here goes my latest idea .... 3"ish black border then 1/2"ish assorted Kaffe border, then black binding, or 1-1/2"ish black border before the binding. I think you will find the wider pop of colour with the black will do a nice frame job of all your work in the centre. Whereas too wide of the black and it would darken and look too heavy against the joyful Kaffe fabrics.
Of course, nothing dyed in wool here, just some ideas to audition and approximate sizes to start wtih.
Good Luck!
03-01-2021, 05:41 AM
#18
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 85
Thanks again, everyone! I thought I'd share what I finally did. I made a flange border to have a little pop in a black border., and I put it on a little differently, such that it's a lot wider in front than on the back. I'm really happy with how it turned out. Two pics, one of which shows detail of the binding and backing.
03-02-2021, 04:24 AM
#20
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Northeastern Indiana
Posts: 2,800
First of all it is a wonderful quilt.
I would inventory the fabrics left over to see how much is available. The question is: How wide a border can you get of this or that fabric. Keeping in mind that the farther out toward the outside edge you go, the more fabric you will need.
I understand you have an unlimited supply of black. So the picture with the larger black borders and accent 3/4 to 1 inch framing border is just perfect.
I would inventory the fabrics left over to see how much is available. The question is: How wide a border can you get of this or that fabric. Keeping in mind that the farther out toward the outside edge you go, the more fabric you will need.
I understand you have an unlimited supply of black. So the picture with the larger black borders and accent 3/4 to 1 inch framing border is just perfect.
