When you sew a mystery quilt you never know how it's going to turn out. That's my favourite part of the process! And sometimes when you're putting the pieces together, the quilt starts to get a mind of it's own. I have been playing on the design wall with the pieces of On Ringo Lake. I am very happy with my colour choices, and I love these blocks!
I tried the on point setting, and then tried a straight setting, with sashing and without, with dark and light cornerstones. I took pictures of all the layouts and looked at them on the design wall and on the computer screen.It's a hard decision. But I noticed that with my fabric choices, when I added the sashing, it felt too chaotic and my energy for the project decreased.
Then I tried a bunch of different ways to use the sashing units as a border. I had already sewn the 120 sashing units together (see parts department photo here) and was trying to find some way to use them as they were.
But what to do? I started to disassemble a few units and sew them together on the long side (instead of the ends) and I started to like what was happening.
I much prefer the sashing units as an accordion type border. But then the plaid units started calling attention to themselves. Check out the top and right border vs. the left and bottom. Without the plaid, there is still variation in the value, but the darker plaid doesn't jump out. Okay next decision made. The sashing is now the border. Just a hundred more border blocks to unsew and resew.
And I also like the little light connecting corners added where the medium blue squares come together once the blocks are put side by side (with no sashing).
So that was a lot of decisions made today! Straight set, no sashing, "accordion" border, and the connecting corners on all the blocks.
Back to the sewing machine...
31 comments:
I really like the variation you've come up with, very pretty. Happy stitching!
Sometimes a quilt has a mind of its own! I like how you consider all of the possibilities.
Hi, Kathy. I liked On Ringo Lake and I also like what you are doing with yours. Good work.
Christine from Ontario
I am so glad that you found a design solution that works for you and looks good too. :)
You have made a good choice. I see that you only did 12 blocks. I like it very much! Of course I love the colors!
I love your setting! I haven't sewn my dashing units together and am totally going with your option. My quilt is to be a year long project in Christmas colors and I love the way your border treatment frames the quilt. Yes, I am totally stealing you riff on this project.
LOVE what you did with this quilt! I’m tucking this away - I must put a border like that on something. :)
Yes! Yes! Yes! Talk about a great change up! Really makes the whole quilt 'pop'!
I like the combo you have in the last photo
The best part about making a quilt is that you can customize it to suit your specific tastes. This looks lovely.
Wow Kathy - that looks great. I am still putting pieces together for On Ringo Lake and I was really wondering about the setting. This gave me more options! I have never done an on-point block setting, because I think I don't care for them as much as a straight setting. This is giving me pause for thought!
Good call!
I really like the way you think about the assembly of a mystery and do what looks good to you, rather than just following the pack.
I've seen several people use the sashing as borders and they've all looked nice.
I think that you made some great choices, I really love the modifications that you have made!
Hey Kahy! Thanks for sharing your process of deciding what you like best for this quilt! I love the acordian border you chose! It seems perfect for the quilt! I too love the colors you chose! Very lake-like and relaxing!! Great work!!!
Your colours are pretty and very different from Bonnie's. How big will your quilt be when you finish it in your layout?
I did the same as you. I made all the parts for the quilt but when I put the sashing between the blocks it was like you said, "Chaos". So I started to sew the block together without sashing and it was really no fun matching up those seams on all 49 blocks (I did a straight setting 7 X 7). So I admire you for sticking to it. I only lasted sewing four together. In the end the sashing strips didn't get used at all. I picked out something else that is just as busy but a lot more fun.
I struggle with the sashing myself. I love how you did it. I've not come to a conclution yet.
Love the setting you have come up with... except... are you aware that where the blocks meet you have mostly four patches but two square in square blocks?
It's always good to have a play with different settings.
Way to adapt it to your liking! I had a heck of time with those sashings. I still have more un-sewing to do. I'm adding a Border to mine. I just couldn't make the rest of the blocks and sashings.
I have been following you (and one other blogger) with your tips for the ORL quilt. I like what you've done, and will use your good advice! Thank you.
-Jean
All good decisions. I like it without the sashing too as it has the secondary design that integrates the blocks together nicely. Great job!
You could have gone with any of the options, but I like your straight set with the accordion border. You've made a lot of progress with ORL. Even better it looks like you'll finish another BH mystery before the next one starts!
The accordian border is a wonderful choice. And the quilt will be uniquely yours in design.
Brain storming at the 5th degree, but oh what a gorgeous result. I so agree with your decisions. It looks wonderful. This new setting makes me thing of blueberry crème brulée. Mmmm. ;^)
The border from sashing idea is brilliant. Your quilt is evolving along nicely.
Ohhhh I love where you are taking this one!!!
I really like your straight setting. I am losing my enthusiasm for this project and your ideas may have re-ignited it. Looking forward to seeing the finished top.
Glad I scrolled back after today's post (Monday, 1/29). The accordion border will enhance your blocks. Good that you found a way to use those units b/c they were tedious to make.
I loved the blocks too and not so much sashing... your versions look great
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