I tried to do two plain borders...honest I did! I got the first one on, fine....I used a black on black check for the inner border...It really set off the center I thought, but nothing that I laid outside that black border had enough color for the rest of the quilt!
So..back to the sewing machine. I'm not crazy about piano key borders...but I always wanted to try an angled strip border, like the ones on an amish style "Joseph's Coat" quilt. I wanted to limit the bias as much as possible, so I cut mine with a 60 degree angle instead of a 45 degree angle....and I used up a gazillion more strips, though you wouldn't know it by looking in the bin.
I have come to realise that looking in my strip bins is like dealing with another night of "left over casserole" from the fridge. It's time to start slicing into some yardage to spice up the mix a bit. I have a lot of red/blue/purple/black..but bright colors like yellows and oranges and lime greens or hot pinks etc...I think I've used them all up!
After finishing the top I came to the same conclusion with the back. I didn't really WANT to piece a back! But...I didn't have anything that really went well enough, or that I had enough of to use as a whole backing..I would have had to piece anyway. I had remaining black and grey squares from piecing my ocean waves back, and I had left over pink/coral squares from piecing my spider web back, so I only had to cut a few more to have enough to piece this back...checkerboard fashion....grey/black/pink. :c)
This quilt really IS a scrapbuster!
Bonnie
Bonnie that border is inspired! I just love pieced borders but can't ever think of ideas! That border is PERFECT with the weed wacker blocks!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely fabulous - a joyous quilt to look at with all those lovely colours.
ReplyDeleteI really couldn't visualize your Weed Whacker with anything else but this pieced border! It's perfect, Bonnie!!!
ReplyDeleteAnd you know that I love pieced backs! It's all just terrific.
Cheers to you, my dear! Have a pleasant weekend!
Bonnie: Looks great! I can't believe you pieced all those squares for the backing. Good for you!
ReplyDeleteJudy L.
That is the perfect border for this quilt. Looking forward to seeing the instructions on your webpage.
ReplyDeleteVery nice. I think your choice of border was/is the best.
ReplyDeletethe angeled piano keys look great as a final border.
ReplyDeleteThe angled strip border is great and very unusual! Very fun quilt - I am sure we will see many different versions popping up in blog-land. You are such an inspiration to all.
ReplyDeleteAnd, I am going to piece at least 2 backs for projects I am working on - like you say - a good scrapbuster.
Cheers!
Evelyn
P.S. Even though I've been very good about busting my stash - I treat myself to a few fat quarters here and there to spice up the scrap bin every once in awhile - grin! So, I can relate to what you are saying...
ReplyDeleteCheers!
Evelyn
Ohhh, I like the angled border on your quilt top... it just adds so much movement to the top - whereas a straight piano key wouldn't.
ReplyDeleteAnd your quilting on it looks really nice too - do you find that you enjoy doing your own quilts more because you have more design freedom? Or do most people send you quilts and just say "Do what looks best."?
Your quilt is amazing Bonnie, I love the angled border. You've done it so quickly too!
ReplyDeleteThe quilting is stunning, you're definitely my quilting muse!
*hugs*
Tazzie
:-)
Another beautiful quilt in the making :)
ReplyDeleteI love it!! The front, the border, and especially the back!!
ReplyDeleteGood work!
I usually prefer plain borders with a busy centre - but that diagonal piano key border is just perfect! I'm glad to see you back in the quilting saddle LOL.
ReplyDelete