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Friday, January 09, 2009

Less is Best!!


You know, I tried so many different border treatments on this thing, my head was spinning! I've spent the last week at it!

There is something that happens when you put a quilt on point. The dimensions, which start out even, since everything is built on a 9" finished block size..becomes WIERD. The dimensions are 63 3/4" X 76 1/4". By itself, that isn't a problem. But if you want to have a nice little pieced border that marches around the quilt, you are going to have to find a common denominator for these units, and that means having to add spacers to the top and bottom of the quilt that are a different measurement than what you add to the sides of the quilt to give you the right size.

And that is only IF your quilt actually DOES measure 63 3/4" X 76 1/4" Your own personal cutting and personal sewing might leave you with a different sized quilt center. Not that that is wrong, but just different.

The center of this quilt is so busy..that I decided less is more.

I added a 1.5" cut inner border of the cheddar/gold, and I even had to pull in a second cheddar/gold because I ran out of the first one. It's okay..I just alternated the strips so it looks like I intended to do that :c)

I pieced some extra 9 patches for the cornerstones..making a "4 patch" with the two 9 patches and two plain brown squares for each corner.

The outer border is cut 6.5"

I just didn't think that anyone was going to want to add odd sized spacer border strips, and no one was going to want to piece another gazillion square in a square blocks as that is what I was leaning towards!! :cD

And yes, this is the quilt that was on the machine when the circuit board blew! So you can imagine how that influenced my Whiney Wendesday.

However, the circuit board arrived yesterday and I could finish the quilt! I quilted it with Keryn Emmerson's Double Plume! Keryn and her sister are also part of our Quilt Maverick's ring, so go check them out if you haven't made it around the ring in a while. Thanks Keryn for a great design! I love designs that don't mash the quilt so flat, leaving a quilt that is begging to be wrapped up in. I think this one fits the bill just fine!

I sewed a bunch of left over pink strips together for a scrappy pink binding, and I'll be doing the hand stitching on that tonight. The back was also pieced from several different pieces of pink that I am happy to find a home for!

Part 7 can be found HERE!

50 comments:

  1. Well you poor thing....no wonder you were whiney.
    The quilt is gorgeous. I just got my new ruler in the mail yesterday and will start this beauty soon.
    We have 4" of snow and I did not feel like firing up the snowblower...it drags me all over the place...so I did it all by hand/shovel...yikes...now I need to soak in the tub.
    XOXOXO Subee

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  2. Another breathtakingly beautiful quilt!

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  3. Looks terrific! Hope mine comes out half that nicely!!

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  4. I love it. My kind of quilt. Hope to do one before to very long.

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  5. Love it! Another beautfiul design, Bonnie. Thank you for sharing it with all of your groupies. I love the way the cheddars are different and I'm a big sscrappy binding lover - I never seem to have enough of any one fabric for a complete binding. I'm one of those rare people who love to "use it up". It's the best way to make more space for new fabrics!

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  6. It's beautiful! Although I love ALL your lovely, scrappy quilts, I must say I think this is my favorite to date. I didn't do the mystery, but may have to now that I see how gorgeous the finished product is! Thanks for sharing all your patterns with us. :o)

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  7. The quilt is absolutely gorgeous!

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  8. Wow! I LOVE the plain border it really frames the quilt beautifully. Thanks for a fun, lovely mystery. You're the best!
    Linda in Southern Illinois

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  9. I think it is GORGEOUS!!!! I have put mine on hold so I could finish up some Project Linus things... that is my new goal.thank you for mystery,I love it.I am sorting blocks to send with your chocolate.I have been stacking them up for over a year now, do not ask how many times they have fallen over,, but not after today!!! have a good one

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  10. Hey Bonnie, I love the quilt. . . and I bet it would look just as good if the borders were plain.

    But that would mean you would have to design another quilt around the 9 patches you had left over. . . and I don't what to be the one that "taxes" your brain! hehehehe

    I really don't know how you find the time. . . I'm tired just following your blog!

    Have a wonderful day!

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  11. How beautiful! I think it should make its way up to a much-coveted position on your blog banner at some point!!

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  12. Bonnie it is just beautiful. I really must get on and finish those 9 patches so I can put mine together. I have found myself thinking "if it were just a bit bigger it could go on our bed" - now there's a thought! Thanks for sharing this mystery with us.

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  13. I love it, love it, love it. This may just be the best one yet--thanks bunches!
    Carolyn

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  14. Perfect. I think the center was just the right level of detail and the borders framed it perfectly.

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  15. I think it looks wonderful! That does it - I am making one for myself! Thanks so much for all of the work that you put into these mysteries! One of these days, I will get brave and try it right along with you! Well, maybe.... :)

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  16. Dear Bonnie
    Another wonderful quilt from you! Thank you so much for sharing your ideas!
    Happy Stitching
    Sandra
    from Switzerland

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  17. Bonnie - this quilt is stunning! I've pulled some fabrics, but I haven't played along yet. Sorry you had a complainer, but I and many others really appreciate your generous sharing of your patterns and ideas!!

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  18. Wow, Bonnie. It looks so great all quilted. I love this quilt and thank you for sharing the pattern with us. You have such an eye for color, design and pattern. I would have never put these colors together, but they are so perfect. you are visionary!!! Thanks for sharing your inspiration and process as well, it helps me look at things differently.

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  19. That is just the most beautiful quilt! Now that I've seen it all together, I can't wait to start it. I love, love, LOVE the pink.

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  20. Bonnie, another beautiful quilt and quilting. The gold and pink colors works so good together.

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  21. Anonymous5:34 PM EST

    I really like the border....and see you got your longarm fixed too! Ok...what are you surprising me with next?

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  22. Ohhh my goodness Bonnie! I really love this quilt - it's definitely going on my 'Must Make' list. You are truly a genius hon!
    *hugs*
    Tazzie
    :-)

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  23. Anonymous6:31 PM EST

    I am just about to put the blocks together,I have a lot off double pink in one fabric and have to say I love how you used lots off different ones in the triangles.
    So as I have used all the others in my nine patches I might have to go shopping after all.
    Love the quilting, I got the panto when I bought my machine.
    Love the quilt thank you for sharing

    Christine

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  24. That's one of the most beautiful quilts I've ever seen. The pattern is wonderful and your choice of fabrics is beyond compare. I enjoyed all the mystery quilts you've done, but this is the best, and the only one I just couldn't do YET due to time issues. I'm going to do it though!
    WOW, Bonnie!
    Regina

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  25. Truly beautiful!
    Hugs - Lurline♥

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  26. Bonnie, it's wonderful! I agree that a simple border really plays up the central piecing... the quilting looks fabulous, as always!

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  27. I am so excited to try this quilt. It is gorgeous. Thank you!!!

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  28. Neighbor Bonnie, I also love the heck out of this quilt!!! It is stupendous. I hope you will continue to share a mystery with all of us out in internet land now and then. These are not my colors at all but now that it is all together, I think differently. I still do not know how you get all of this done in so short a time. Do you ever sleep or eat???

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  29. out of all of the quilts you have made, I think this one is my favorite...at least today ;)

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  30. Just to say what everyone else says - this is absolutely gorgeous. Now, I'm even more anxious to devote some time to getting mine done. (Still on Step 3)

    Julie in Oregon

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  31. Absolutely breathtaking.

    Can we see pictures of the back? Please. ~ksp

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  32. Bonnie, honest to God, I wasn't interested in making this quilt until I saw the finished product. I love it, probably more than any other in your "stash". I can't wait to make it.

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  33. WOW! Bonnie, you have outdone yourself this time! DD is a stunner.

    Sue
    Western Australia

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  34. OH the border is perfect, I am going to copy it I have that color in my stash, hope I have enough.. Have I thanked you for this wonderful mystery.

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  35. Bonnie,
    I love it!!!! I had my indigos, and shirting. Yesterday I purchased the cheddars and pinks. I only found a couple of browns, but they don't make my heart sing. Anyway I love seeing all the steps, even though I committed after I saw the first blocks, but the layout hooked me for sure. The finish is great also.

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  36. It looks gorgeous! I love the plain borders on this one.

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  37. Your quilt is lovely!! My 7 year old daughter likes it too - it must be all the pink in it :0)

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  38. What a delightful quilt. The way that the blocks look like flowers - an illusion of some sort even though nothing is really rounded - is so wonderful. And the colors are terrific, so fresh. Thanks! It's a new set of colors for me and I like it!

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  39. it's beautiful. glad to hear your longarm is happy again. woohoo.

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  40. Bonnie, it's absolutely stunning - one of my favourites! Thank you so much for all that you share with us.

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  41. Anonymous10:41 AM EST

    Oh, Bonnie, this is the most beautiful quilt I've ever seen! You are a great quilt artist. Thank you for giving us the pattern. Kindest regards - Dianne B. in England

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  42. bonnie, again you are "spot on" with color choices. the quilt itself is quite busy so i think a patchwork border might have added to the busy-ness. perfect!

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  43. An absolutely beautiful quilt!!!!!

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  44. I love your new quilt design!!!

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  45. Hi Bonnie!
    I just wanted to thank you for the fun mystery you put together! I know it was a lot of work for you, but it was very much appreciated! It kept my mind occupied through a very difficult time and I very much love the quilt. I changed the color palette a bit, but the pattern is fantastic! Anyway, yours is wonderful as well :o)

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  46. Your mystery turned out so beautiful! I really love it! Hope to get time to sew this in a while, I am a fan of those 9patches... :o)
    Hope you're over the sad thing that happened the other day. I can really understand how you felt, but I hope you keep your head up and don't let it bother you much. There are so many of us loving the things you do, and I hope that will encourage you to keep doing the things you do, THE WAY you do. You're a great inpiring source, Bonnie, for a lot of people.
    Lots of hugs from Norway,
    Laila

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  47. This quilt is JUST FANTASTIC, I so enjoy looking at all your quilts. Your photography and presentation are also very pleasing.

    : )

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  48. Nice! I am glad I am not the only one who feels like she has entered another dimension when setting blocks on point. (When I took the class with Gwen Marston, someone asked her what the formula was for figuring out the on point triangles. She smiled serenely and told us she just traces around them, on a handy piece of paper, and then measures the resulting triangle and adds seam allowance. Easy peasy.)

    I just did a border on point, and it's a good thing I wanted it to run off the edge unevenly, because that was the only way it was going to happen!

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  49. Simply stunning.......great work. Your quilts inspire me.

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