I'm stuck and I could really use some advice. I have been taking my Too Good To Cut Challenge Jambalaya blocks out every few days to try and decide what to do with them.
Problem Number 1: I know that I have too many blocks that have an outer row that reads pink. I'm not sure what to replace them with.
Problem Number 2: Although my favorite not so LQS owner helped me pick out two possible border fabrics, both of which I love, I'm starting to think they are a bit blah with these blocks.
Question 1: Which color options should I pick to replace the "pink" blocks?
Question 2: Should I place a thin (1 inch) border in a dark color or black before attaching the 4 inch border.
Question 3: Should I look for another fabric for the border? I would really rather avoid this, since I am trying to avoid buying more fabric.
Please let me know what you think. I have avoided cutting into my lovely box of batiks for years and I really want to make a quilt I can love. I also have LOTS more and want to make another batik quilt, but that will depend on the final outcome of Jambalaya.
The colors are a little more vibrant in person.
I thought I could replace one of the "pink" blocks with a block similar to this one.
I vote for moving the blocks with a dark fabric around the outside (particularly the top left) more to the middle of the quilt. Then have a narrow dark border, then your border fabric. It'll be fabulous!
ReplyDeleteI actually wouldn't replace the pink blocks, but I'm lazy. Rather, can we figure out how to make them work?
ReplyDeleteIf you aren't opposed to the pink, I would actually seek out a lighter coloured border fabric, to work with that pink. Then, following your own suggestions of a darker accent piece, use one of the fabrics you do have (like the one the blocks are resting on?) or one of those ones with a bit more blue in them. The pink only seems dominant with the dark border.
If you would rather not buy more fabric, what about doing a border that is dark - pink - dark. That brings some of the pink in to the border, balancing it out.
They are currently set out in random order, but you might be able to do something nice with them by grouping them as lighter and darker backgrounds, as Kathy suggests. Personally, I don't think there are too many pink blocks, but if this is your favourite fabric, you want to LOVE the quilt that you make, not just be okay with it. Lay them on some lighter fabric like Cheryl says, to see if the pink recedes a bit. Try a bunch of different layouts and take pictures - we'll come back and give advice!
ReplyDeleteIn agreement with the above posters! I also like the idea of a thinner border to add some punch to your outer border, but make it something that stands out a bit...not sure what yet though, perhaps after you re-arrange (if you decide to do so) your blocks, it will come to me!
ReplyDeleteHmm, I think you need to take a deep breath KatieQ. You've got good choices here. I agree with rearranging the blocks. Let's spread that colour around a bit. What kind of border are you thinking of? I'm not a border person and rather like the layout without or perhaps a thin sashing in a bright fabric but something other than pink if that is something you'd rather downplay.
ReplyDeleteI think the blocks are lovely. And I'm with Cheryl - way too lazy to swap out blocks I've already made.
ReplyDeleteIf you're looking to have the pink recede slightly, choose a border that works with the pink rather than clashes with it. I used this trick when trying to tone down the pink on some carpeting in our living room that I wasn't prepared to replace. When I changed the wall colour to a green with grey undertones, the pink just seemed to calm down.
Try auditioning fabrics for your narrow inner border by laying out your blocks on top of the fabric with just a little poking out.
You may find that when you put on the inner border, the fabrics you have for the outer border work a lot differently than they do when they're right up against the blocks.
Good luck - you are on the road to a beautiful quilt!
Coming over from the Workshop in Progress.
ReplyDeleteI personally like the pink blocks and would consider doing a 1" pink inner border instead of a darker inner border. Then you can audition it with the two potential border fabrics. Lay it out with just the right amounts peaking through and take pictures. You can let us check it out again then too!
Love the batiks.
It seems that many of us agree.....
ReplyDeletebecause here is my $.02
First--I would not replace any pink blocks. I feel they blend very nicely and aren't out-of-place at all.
Second--a thin 1-1.5 inch light border will "finish" off the center nicely before the outer border
Thirdly--the fabric you are showing as your border is G-O-R-G-E-O-U-S! AbsoLUTELY no reason to buy different fabric, however back to the "secondly"---to have it as a border, a thin light border to separate it from the center might be beneficial.
I know this comment is late in coming, but if you're anything like me---my TooGoodtoCutChallenge hasn't seen too much action lately :0(
Happy Thursday
-Amy (NW WI)
Hi, I'm sorry to be late with comments, too. I agree with Kathie and others -- keep the lovely pink blocks, just change the arrangement a bit and use the narrow border. Would this help -- put all the pieces together on the design wall, take a digital photo, and then look at the photo on the computer instead of studying the actual quilt pieces. Sometimes that really helps me to "see" the quilt and where it wants to go, especially if the room is not big enough for a long-distance view. It's beautiful fabric, and it's going to be a stunning quilt. I can't wait to see how it turns out. Take care, Dianne B. in England
ReplyDelete