Advice needed

Advice needed by Lynne @ Lilys Quilts
Advice needed, a photo by Lynne @ Lilys Quilts on Flickr.

This picture shows a to-scale mock-up of my Amitie BOM quilt with the border I am proposing to add. Each circle will be different and not all the same as in the mock-up. My question is, is the border too heavy and clunky or is it OK like that? I'm concerned that the HSTs in the border are made up of much bigger pieces than the pieces in the circle putting the quilt out of balance but I don't really know if it's working or not. Thoughts anyone? Suggestions? Ideas?

Comments

  1. well, yes, the border looks clunky in comparison to the center circles. If the center circles were larger or the triangles in the border were smaller, the proportion would be better. of course, just my opinion.

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  2. I like the outer border but perhaps the inner one could be plain rather than pieced? or even just lighter shades (like the sashing) to lift it?

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  3. I think Maybe some solids in the HST's to ease the eye from the border.

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  4. I see whatcha mean now ... I'm with Merran, if you had the HSTs just on the outer border and used the plain polka dot on the inside row then I think it would pull it together perfectly ... less busy close to the centrepiece of action ...

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  5. hmmm...i think, too, that the big hsts could 'overpower' the intricate pieced blocks.
    are you determined on hsts? what about pieced "meandering half circular vines" (= pieced arc units like in little big george, which are placed in opposite directions forming sort of a vine in the border...).
    of course, omitting the inner hst border would be a great option :)

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  6. I have to say I am not diggin' the border for these circle blocks. I am thinking a plainer border will allow the blocks to sing a little louder.

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  7. I'd put in an extra inner border, too. Plain, not too wide, perhaps 1"would do the job.
    The lighter (kind of) sashing around the squares (around the circles) are lighter, contrasting to a darker cirle: I like that.
    The outer border is too dark for me in comparison to the inner part of the quilt. Darker colours tend to draw more attention: they pull you towards it and you fall into a deep dark space (sorry, this is my weird side).
    I agree with Julia: should you use hsts?
    And I do hope you'll get much more advice on this
    My opinion is just one!

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  8. I agree...it's a bit heavy. The circles are almost delicate because of the curves, so maybe something with lighter colors...

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  9. I think the center blocks are so beautiful that I'd want to highlight them by adding a plain border. Or make the inner row HSTs and the outer row of the border plain. Good luck! :)

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  10. I LOVE it. It is bold and different... and I wanna make it!

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  11. To be a hundred precent honest, I didn't notice until I completely read through the post and then when back and looked at it. Really love the design. Maybe it is just the dark color that is throwing you. I say trust your instinct.

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  12. I think it works great! I like the larger triangles in the border, it makes the quilt even more interesting to look at. If your border was more to scale with the inner circle blocks the design wouldn't be as exciting and original.

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  13. I like the hst border but it is hard to imagine it in person given that your circle blocks are all different, with such wonderful scrappy borders on the circles.

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  14. Lovely - maybe change the inner border to a solid, or something that reads solid so the eye will be drawn to the center circles first and then move on to notice the triangle/star point border.

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  15. I don't have a solution, but I do think the circles are diminished by the border somehow.
    Just a thought - what if some of the gray in the blocks was brought out to the border to 'lighten' things up a bit?

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  16. The border blocks are too large, how about half the size and put a solid(one print) border around the inner blocks to frame them.

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  17. i think it looks perfect as is, but what do i know?

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  18. It's not v.me but it is definitely v.you and your style. If you like it then run with it, or audition some sizing/colour alternatives and see how those compare to the original. Jxo

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  19. I would ditch the outer HST border and instead do a final border of just scraps, pieced randomly with random lengths, to tie in with the whole scrappy feel and so as not to draw your eyes away from the blocks themselves which makes for a very long sentence me thinks.

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  20. I think it's perfectly balanced. I wouldn't change a thing...but that's me.

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  21. Could you do a mock up of it with a narrow inner border of the black dot and then the HSTs? Whatever you decide it's going to be an impressively wonderful quilt ;o)

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  22. meee advice (...remember my advice is worth what you pay for it?...free...lol)

    I really like the border...as stand alone. But, it's a bit too much dancing with the zeal of the inner blocks. One commenter above mentioned to tone down the inner border...that might be just the ticket. Because, then, you could keep the fun/happy HST...it would be like to friends (the inner quilt and outer borders)...with a bridge between. =)

    I'm feelin' the tiger strips comin' on again... with this quilt too. wink, wink

    hugZ,
    annie
    rubyslipperz106.blogspot

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  23. I like it as it is. The lighter fabrics in the blocks make them stand out from the darker border.
    Maybe I would use a few fabrics with a less busy print in the border, but otherwise it works nice, I think.

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  24. I like the border, but I think you need some lighter fabrics in the HSTs to make it feel less heavy. Keep the black and white polka dot, but switch out the darker green in the border for the lighter yellow-green from the blocks, or the purple Tufted Tweets for the pale aqua. Maybe switch one fabric in each row of HSTs for a very light fabric. You could also add a skinny light colored border between the two rows of HSTs, making the border seem much narrower.

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  25. I mostly like it, but I agree that it could use a little tweaking. I'm wondering if maybe the HSTs should be smaller? Why did you choose the size you did - just to make the border wider? Are you trying to get the quilt up to a certain size or something?

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  26. i have to say, i think the border is too much. your blocks are so delicate and detailed, i think the chunky border detracts from them.

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  27. I'm so not good at giving quilt advice......so glad I know you'll go with your instinct, which will be exactly right.....did I mention I'm not good at taking quilt advice either. These are amazing blocks!!!!

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  28. I really like it as is and wouldn't make a change unless YOU don't like it. I was surprised at all of the comments suggesting that you change it.

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  29. yes I would say the border is a bit OTT what about using a solid black for the border instead of the black and white spot? or any other solid for that matter.. I think it would make the circular blocks pop.

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  30. ...p.s I went through this on my blog a few weeks back...it helps to put it away for a few days and come back with fresh eyes and a new perspective.

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  31. I might put a thin innermost border of a bright and cheery color, and then a binding of the same bright and cheery value (but not necessarily or even probably the same color). I think that would be enough to separate these two strong elements--the circles and the HST's, both of which I like a lot. I think it's good, and a tiny tweak might make it better--the eye would have a place to rest and transition.

    Thanks for asking our advice; it's a bit of an honor, given how much I admire your creativity and talent.

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  32. I'd do a triangle or pointed unit very similar to what you have in your blocks but keep the background a plain solid colour
    try the pointed triangles in two rows with them meeting along the centre seam, but offset - by half the length of the pointed triangle base - and if you can't come up with a way to go around the corner, put in a mini Amite block

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  33. I like the borders, however, they are a touch dark and want to overwhelm your blocks. rather than start from scratch, I would probably take the step of adding a small, 1" or 1.5" containment border to create a line between your blocks and the border. I'd make the containment border out of one of your lighter prints. Heck, I'd be tempted to put a containment border inside both borders.

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  34. For me when I have to ask a question like that, I already know it's not working, but I want it to! When I just glance at your picture, I notice the border first. I had to look close to see the blocks. That's probably not what your going for - the blocks are so gorgeous. I'm sure you'll come up with the perfect border!

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  35. . the first view is beautiful, but if the border is so pretty that takes interest in the center .. perhaps some solid?

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  36. When I first saw your mock-up picture, I went wow!, but after reading your comment about clunky triangles, I look at it differently. What if you made rectangles in half rather than squares in half, thus skinnying up the triangles?

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  37. I think the larger border frames out the center circles and actually makes them seem smaller by comparison. It's an interesting juxtaposition.

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