Saturday, March 23, 2013

Help, I'm stuck!

Last year I had printed out a few free applique shapes from a couple of websites and had grand intentions of making my second attempt at fused applique by creating some cute Easter thing with them. It never happened. So today I dug out those shapes, pulled out my repurposed, Kool Aid dyed wool and started one of those "design-as-you-go" projects (I prefer that to "fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants"--sounds more intentional, or dignified, or something). I got the blocks made, but am struggling to decide how to set them. I'm keeping it simple, but I'm struggling with color options for the border/sashing.
Is the black border too overpowering? I'm trying to stay with the colors in the wool, and since I have already used them all in the block borders, I didn't know what to do for a main border. I would probably bind in purple or pink. I will admit that I was influenced by the Little Buds I have been working on--all of the color against black is so striking, but does it work here?

 Should I put a narrow black sashing between the blocks?
Or should I stick to the tan for sashing/borders (but not necessarily this tan--it was just handy). I could bind this in the pink or purple--or even black.
If you have any other suggestions, I'm open to them. Just remember I don't want to complicate it (for once). I want a border, and I would prefer it not be pieced--the sashing is optional. What would you do?

I realize I have overlooked sharing this runner. I finished it a couple of weeks ago, but was sending it to DD#1 in NH for her birthday and I didn't want to post it until she had seen it. After she had seen it I forgot to post it. I call this one Patches of Fall. She wanted Fall colors and I made this from the Simply Charming book (with just a few additional blocks) and will eventually link this up for the next  Every Other Month Mini Sew Along. 
Can you believe it? That's all I have--of course I just barely posted, so that explains it. : )
Until next time (which won't be so soon),
Janet O.

47 comments:

  1. The black seems a little strong against the astels, but the beige makes it look like a baby quilt. What if you put a beige floating border before ading the black border? I think it is better to keep all the blocks tight, not sash them...look forward to seeing what you decide.
    I love your little table topper...so quaint.

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  2. I like the black best, without sashing. I think it would look great with the black border being twice the width of the pastel block borders. BTW, I love your stitching on the appliques!

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  3. I like the beige, but how about little pastel nine patches for the corner stones?

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  4. I like the side by side arrangement in the first photo, but I would go with the light colored border and not the black.

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  5. I like the black with the narrow sashing inbetween those cute blocks!

    If you go with the beige, then I would lean toward having the blocks touching.

    Just my 2 cents... :)

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  6. The black is awful because it is too somber with the happy little Easter blocks that are so dear! But I like the beige. Wait, do do have anything like a plum color? Or would that maybe fight with the pink?

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  7. I prefer the lighter Colorado for the border because spring and Easter are usually soft and pastels type Colorado and while pretty the black adds a harsher edge to the piece. Love the nine patch table runner..smashing...
    Mary

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  8. Oops did I type Colorado really? I mean Color...
    Mary

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  9. I like your cream for the sashing. Your Simply Charming quilt is simply charming....I love it. Hugs

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  10. Your DD#1 must love her runner, Janet. The quilting looks divine.
    I like the light sashing and border with the bright binding. Very cute!

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  11. I love that runner you made! Beautiful! And the appliques are so sweet! I know they're in wool, but since they are solids, maybe you could sash and border them in a solid or mottled light green, lavender or yellow, keeping it light and Easter-y! (I always see light blue and pink as baby colors, instead of Easter.)

    I can't wait to see what you do! :o)

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  12. My vote is for the cream color all around. I think it needs to be kept light for Easter and spring. A pastel binding would be gorgeous. It is wonderful!

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  13. I'm not loving the black, although it is your quilt, so if you like it then use it.
    Nice table runner!!

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  14. This is where I always get stuck too. Your Easter applique blocks are precious. The black makes them pop, but how about trying a purple...like a plum. I like the light fabric as well. Maybe use that and bind it in a plum? I am so bad at this. I know that whatever you decide, when I see the finished piece, I will say, "Yes! That is perfect."
    That table runner is gorgeous in those wonderful fall colors. You can not go wrong with a 9-patch.

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  15. Just my opinion and it's hard to really tell looking at pictures on a computer but this black seems a little overpowering to me.
    Maybe if there was some black in the blocks it would work better and the cream seems to wash everything out a bit. What about something that goes with that dark green stripe in the blocks. Sorry not much help here.

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  16. I like the tan around the blocks myself. Love the runner too! :0)

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  17. The applique is adorable, Janet! Love the chick and the egg :) To me, the black is a bit much with the pastels. I like the cream and with sashing. There. Do you have enough varying opinions yet, lol?

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  18. Oh! And the table topper is terrific. I love fall colors too :)

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  19. I like the side by side with a lighter sashing. It gives is a spring feeling. Love the little 9 patch, sometimes we forget how the simple block can be so lovely!

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  20. I like the idea of the black sashing and border. Seems like your pretty blocks get lost in the light background. Maybe just let it sit on your design wall for a couple of days with each border and see what you like best. Sometimes having a couple days to look at it changes everything. Or you may find another sashing/border fabric altogether (a deep dark purple comes to mind). Have fun! It'll be wonderful, as is your recent finish.

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  21. Light background and sashings looks more Spring like to me. Nice little 9-patches runner that you made. Go ahead and Post more often, I don't mind at all!

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  22. I like the beige with the pastels and a colored binding. love the runner!

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  23. Wow - I bet you are more confused than ever now as we all have different ideas.... it seems that either way your little Easter piece will be very cute!! I think the tan looked nice - and springlike but the dark rally made it stand out and say - look at me!! The runner you made you daughter is gorgeous - such a simple design but so effective!

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  24. The black seems to harsh for me. I like the beige sashing and border. Binding it in that black seems okay. I just don't see using much black in Spring projects. Your DDs gift came out really nice. Looking forward to what's next from your sewing room. Sandi

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  25. Absolutely adorable Easter blocks! And so many great suggestions. The sashing between blocks makes them float a little too much and putting them together makes the eye see them as a unit, which I like better. The lighter border gives a more spring-like look - but the dark does make the colors pop. What would you think of a narrow dark first border (the same size as your block edges) surrounded by a wider beige border?

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  26. I love your Easter blocks, I would likely sash and border them, if they were mine, with a soft green; like settling them down in a nest of Easter grass.

    Your runner is striking, I just love the elegant simplicity of it.

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  27. Happy Spring!
    I'm sure you will make a lovely sashing choice.
    Love the runner!!

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  28. Way to many comments with ample suggestions - so I'll just say that I love, love, love, love the nine patch fall table runner for your daughter! I'm sure she loves it!!

    Blessings

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  29. It'll be interesting to see what you decide on for the borders since there are so many opinions shared. I prefer the tan - or perhaps a medium floral with all those pastel colors in it? LOVE that cute little 9-patch - so simple and yet one of my favorites.

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  30. I'd suggest you think more spring like with the border color. Great table runner. Your daughter will love it.

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  31. Looks like you've gotten lots of advice and probably don't need more, but I'll add my 2 cents worth anyway :*) You know I love black to pop colors in a quilt, but if these little applique blocks were mine, I would definitely go with the lighter color for the borders and/or sashing. Such sweet spring motifs would sing in a lighter setting! And I bet your DD is delighted with her table runner! Glad you remembered to share it with us!

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  32. I'm leaning towards the tan Janet.
    Black makes bright vibrant colours pop / zing, but these blocks need a softer colour.
    Love the runner, lovely seeing your work.
    Julia ♥

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  33. I'm late with this comment so maybe you've already decided. I'll weigh in anyway. ; c ) I like the beige better than the black. Would a dark grey work? I could go either way on the sashing.
    Absolutely love your 9-patch runner! I'm sure your daughter loves it.

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  34. I think a darker tan color would be nice ....something that is darker than the backgrounds of the blocks. I also like the sashing. Cute little table runner, too.

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  35. Love the cute spring blocks Mama! I like the tan color with sashing in between the blocks :)

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  36. Such darling little Easter blocks! As if you haven't been given enough ideas already, but this is what I would do... no sashing between the blocks... I love the scappy borders they already have! Biege instead of black... I personally think it looks more like spring and Easter with the beige. Some many suggestions! Have fun!

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  37. great nine patch runner!
    I like the lighter background for those cute easter blocks.

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  38. I like the beige color for the sashing, I believe a shade darker than the blocks, just to give them a little freedom. Love the table runner, so soft and natural.

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  39. I think I like the side by side but with a border that is not so dark but not so light!! and your table runner is sooooooooo cute!!

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  40. I'm a big fan of black, but I have to tell you I prefer the tan/beige option much better.

    It looks more Spring like to me. Then you could have fun with your quilting of say some ribbons or Easter designs in the borders. I like the idea of sashing.

    Have fun!

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  41. You are probably overwhelmed with opinions now, but here's one more. I like the tan the best with those cute little pastel blocks! I love the table runner.

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  42. Gosh that *was* a short post for you...LOL. You've probably already decided but here is my 2cents: At first I thought the black was not an Easter/Spring color but it really does pop the colors. The cream sashing/border just looked drab to me - none of the pastels showed up. I vote for black border with no sashing.

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  43. i think it needs a pow! border but the black is a little too dismal...purple maybe? green? audition away!

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  44. I like the tan as shown with sashing. That makes a nice contrast, but still spingy.

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  45. The lighter color looks more springy and in keeping with the applique. What about a tan inner border and sashing with an outer border of one of the colors? Or each border a different color? Or adding a second round of colors to the blocks before setting them together? Somehow, to me, it just seems to need a little more punch. (Maybe that's one reason you were liking the black?) You probably have this all resolved and finished by this time! ;-)

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  46. Wonderful Simply Charming tabletopper

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I love to have your comments and feedback.