So......how many of you have been hanging around with me since the "EARLY" days? Do you remember when I started massage therapy school?
Do you remember when Lucy and I exchanged cut out pieces for these baskets for THIS quilt?!?
I spent tonight taking off the outer brown border. It never sat right with me. I'm not crazy about the inner gold border...but I think it can stay. It was just WAYYYYYY too brown for me, and I still feel that way. Don't get me wrong. I like brown. But it was Brown Over Kill. I'm a color girl! I like things quirky and colorful, and too much brown was just too much.
I toyed with the idea of what to do...do I want to do half square triangles? No, that actually means CUTTING and SEWING something.
Did I want to do just a different color border? Nope...still too blah for all the scrappiness going on with these adorable baskets.
Then it hit me.....there is a rather LARGE suitcase still sitting in my living room, as of yet unpacked. :c/ I ran up there and dug out the extra long length of piano key border that was left over from the Sister's Oregon quilt top I finished last week....
TADA!! What do you think? Does it add enough spark, enough color to the outside edge of this boring brown thing?! Please say yes, but please MEAN IT!
Because right now I'm too tired to think of anything else. I just want this to be right. Maybe I can do some kind of corner block? Something Something?
I'm going to leave it lay here over night and go dream on it some more. I'd love to start the hand quilting on this....Maybe it will look better by morning light!
Bonnie,
ReplyDeleteThat is a perfect border. It adds interest and texture and color without distracting from those cute baskets....and I do remember them. Love that border!
Kathie in Lacey Wa
Bonnie,
ReplyDeleteThat is a perfect border. It adds interest and texture and color without distracting from those cute baskets....and I do remember them. Love that border!
Kathie in Lacey Wa
That border really brings the quilt to life, I love it but think you might want to do something in the corners; maybe a basket?
ReplyDeleteOh, yes! That colorful border helps to tie the whole quilt together. And then maybe a dark binding.
ReplyDeleteI like this too, but right now it is too wide. I think it would look better at 3/4 that width. I think it is because of the size of the baskets that I feel that way.
ReplyDeleteYES!! And I definitely mean it, I love how the blue in the border highlights the blue baskets, just perfect!!
ReplyDeleteperfect...best part it is almost complete!
ReplyDeleteExcellent choice, but I agree with a corner post for the border. And yes, I remember when you were going to school. Funny how you have to do one thing in order for something else to happen! Life is good that way.
ReplyDeleteYws, this piano key border is the perfect one.
ReplyDeleteI love it! Can't wait to see what you do...you certainly have a gift...Thanks Bonnie for sharing your inspiration with us
ReplyDeleteIt's funny but as I was reading your blog the first thing that came to mind was a piano key border, so like everyone else it is a great idea and a beautiful quilt.
ReplyDeleteI think you were right to take off the brown border - quite agree with the over-brownness. I'm not taken with the new border, though. It has scrappiness but of a different kind - the feel of the baskets is of calm but the piano key thing does seem to 'jangle' with it. Knowing you, there will be at least five other options in your head after a good sleep. I love the baskets, though!
ReplyDeleteHi, Bonnie,
ReplyDeleteI really like the piano key border! It emphasizes the colors in the baskets. And it is 3:20 A.M. here (sigh).
Dinah
Definately the piano key border - it gives the quilt such a boost. I have been reading your blog since the early days but dont remember the basket quilt but I love it - just gorgeous. BTW thanks for being such an inspiration to step outside our comfort zones and 'play' with fabric. It has lead me to start my own patchwork and quilting design business!
ReplyDeleteI love, love, love that pieced border... and I really mean it!
ReplyDeleteI love the piano key border, but I'd like to see some red incorporated into the corners...just my 2 cents.
ReplyDeleteI think the piano key border really finishes this quilt off nicely. I agree that it needs corner blocks of some sort--perhaps baskets set on point with the base of the basket towards the quilt. I will check back to see what you decide. Gail
ReplyDeleteExcellent thinking!
ReplyDeleteMakes the quilt come alive!
I mean it: YES, this is great! I would resist the corner block though... enjoy the proces!
ReplyDeleteBonnie,
ReplyDeleteI think the piano key border is wonderful. Just what it needed to bring all of those beautiful scrappy baskets to life.
Shelia in SC
I've been using your system and your website for inspiration for years now and have to thank you for all the dozens of quilts that have come from my sewing room because of you!!! Got to attend two of your workshops in Ohio last year with a couple friends who still can't figure out how to use their stash with reckless abandon!! ;) I've always loved the look of piano key borders and what a scrap user too!!!! Go for it!!!
ReplyDeleteIf you are on PAcific time what time am I on who have not traveled and was wide awake at 3:00 a.m.??? So I did some hand sewing...sewing binding down.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE the piano key border.
XOXXO Subee
The new border looks great, wish I had so much leftover already sewn piano-key's,
ReplyDeleteJutta
if I were doing this, i'd take off that inner border also, waaaay too much dark, the piano keys will brighten up the brown in the squares, but that inner border just isn't needed and doesn't add anything to the quilt....my 2 cents; it's just too dark with it included. in fact, if you MUST have an inner border, i'd do a muslin but don't think either is really needed
ReplyDeleteWhat a huge difference that border makes. I saw the original pictures and thought the quilt was blah. That would have signalled a trip to the fabric store for me, but you had the piano keys and now the quilt is so exciting and interesting. it draws me in and I am excited by the colors in the baskets which were flat and lost to me before.
ReplyDeleteYes, that really does give it the punch it needs! Plus what about a splash of your famous "Cheddar" for the corners?
ReplyDeleteOh... what about a Roman Stripe corner? That would tie in the border still and if you have any of the border left... you could just cut it down and use that? Just a thought. But I do like the border because it brings in so many other colors.
ReplyDeleteI give the new border a thumbs-up! It really adds to the top - so much more than a plain one of any color.
ReplyDeleteI love this border with your baskets but where can I find the pattern for these adorable baskets?
ReplyDeleteNicky
Yes, I think that it is a perfect choice, and then you can put baskets in the corners and bind with the brown leftover border. I'm looking forward to seeing the finished result - And by the way, I really enjoy reading your blog though I have "only" been doing so for a couple of years :-)
ReplyDeleteYES! and I mean it
ReplyDeleteI think the border makes it SPLENDID. What about 4 different blocks for the corners? That way it isn't too planned and symetrical, but still tidy. I can't wait to see what you choose.
ReplyDeleteLucy (in IN)
Hi Bonnie, I love the piano key border! Then use the brown border you took off as your binding and you're good to go! Karen in IA
ReplyDeleteI like the piano keys and I like the round corners, maybe make fans to go in the corners, so it looks like the borders just continue around?
ReplyDeletewhy add another border? It looks fine just the way it is...if you really think it needs another border, why not yellow? Yellow always gives zing to a project. Or, lime green? Love, love, love the baskets and the brown background is just perfect. Claire
ReplyDeleteDoes it HAVE to have another border? I think just the tiny thin border is enough to just frame it without looking too busy.
ReplyDeletePiano key border is just perfect for this. But do make something for the corners. Shirley
ReplyDeleteReally really like the piano keys, but I'm still not wild about that inner border. Not sure it sets off the quilt and the key border to the best advantage.
ReplyDeleteDo you have a pattern for those wee baskets? I know "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wee baskets", but I'm weak, so very weak......
Little late on the commenting, but while the piano key border is very busy, I think it adds to the scrappiness of the quilt. I agree with ditching the 2nd brown border, I like the gold-ish one. About the only thing I could suggest would be to maybe add the dark brown border back on after the piano key to give it a frame? I personally like multiple borders, and need to do more with pieced borders.
ReplyDeleteBTW, love your work, and thanks for sharing That Man Quilts? on FaceBook. I love finding new quilt blogs to read & get ideas, tricks & techniques from. Thanks!
PS- when will you be visiting Phoenix again? Would love to meet you/participate in a workshop of yours!
PERFECT ! ! ! ! ! I love when a quilt comes together like that.... See you in Clarkston, MI
ReplyDeleteI am behind on my reads so do not remember if you have "solved" this boarder thing. I am not crazy about the piano boarder, tooooooo buuuusssssyyyyy for a quilt that has alot of small squares already. off with the gold and if you really need a border put something wide with color but not busy....
ReplyDeleteI really the the piano key look. Maybe just miter the corners, that might give you a different look, or someone mentioned rounded corners. I can't wait to see what you choose.
ReplyDeleteI must be a reader from the 'early' days as I do remember when you started massage school and swapped with Lucy! Is it really 5 years ago ... doesn't time fly!!
ReplyDeleteI love your basket quilt and think the piano keys really add the degree of scrappiness needed to make it complete :)
Hi Bonnie
ReplyDeleteI love the piano border but would take off the inner border .
cheers
Christine
I love the piano keys.
ReplyDelete