Saturday, January 03, 2009

Border Auditions

I've slowly been puttering away on my happy plaid quilt. Last time you saw these stringed bits of paper they looked like a Chinese Coins quilt. Not any more. Now I've got a nice big Joy in the middle. I've sewn the first border around the quilt and am trying to decide what next. I think it's too small as it is. So this is what it looks like with another set of strings at top and bottom:


I love how this darker purple looks with these fabrics. Here it is as a border before I add the extra stringed bits:

I've been avoiding adding a whole lot more to the sides since this quilt is already wide. But is that just making it look dorky? Maybe I need more on the sides too. Any preferences out there?
Oh and I'm open to a name as well. Right now it's just Joy in Plaid. I'm a boring namer.

Today I got the binding machine sewed onto my Bed Quilt. At long last. A picture of Lily with the quilt as I began wrestling with it.


Lily is such a screwball - she's starting jumping onto my back again. It's one thing to leap onto a horizontal back but quite another to do a vertical landing that includes digging in claws. Aiyeeeee. Good thing I keep trimming her claws, even though she squeals and struggles.

31 comments:

YankeeQuilter said...

I like the first layout with the double plaid borders on top and bottom. Too fun! I don't mind there being different border widths on top vs sides.

Brownie and Goldie like to jump on my back when I open the low cabinet that holds their food...drives me crazy! Do you know how many times I have hit my head on the counter!

Anonymous said...

Mmmm, I like both, but if it where my project I'd add the little purple border inbetween. Makes the striped borders more "stand out" if you get what I mean. All in all: the striped borders are great!

julieQ said...

I love the purple and the whole projects just sings to me! I am glad you have a helper to keep you going. I can't wait to see the lovely black quilting stitches bring it all to life.

Wendy said...

It looks great - wonderful colors! I like the dark purple between the 2 rows of strips ... it sets them off so nicely. Narrower borders on the side look fine with me.

Browndirtcottage said...

Well this is just OUTRAGEOUS!! Wild and crazy colors I LOVE IT!! I like the way you have it layed out in the second photo using the second purple to separate the borders. If I were doing it I would like the darker purple to be narrow/slim in width....Carry On!

lilsis said...

That is gorgeous! I love how the one bias plaid makes the JOY look like it has sparkles.

I think the second picture with the purple boarder in between looks balanced. What are the measurements currently? That JOY looks like it is a lot larger than you normally do your letters, but it could just be the angle and lack of referece.

Thanks for sharing your wonderful works of art!

Victoria Findlay Wolfe said...

You are so amazing with color! JOY!!
hmmm, its hard, how big are you going to make this quilt? its hard to break that rectangle shape... the purple sets it off nice, but there's something about the double rows that's unusual and fantastic

Besides farming, My father does upholstery, and when I was a kid, he had the shop on the farm. We had many cats, but one in particular, Boo Boo, would sit on his shoulders and lay around his neck when he would be sitting sewing at his machine... he wasn't one to actually "LIKE" cats, but he had no choice, as the cat chose him.
;-)

Kristin L said...

This is definitely a HAPPY quilt! I like the borders without the purple in between too, as it seems less contained and more exuberant like the word JOY. But, have you considered adding one or two more string strips top and bottom, with or without thin purple and/or turquoise strips in between so it's a strippy quilt? Then you could add one last solid or plaid border around the whole thing to make it look less dorky and more intentional.

Sara said...

I like quilts that are longer than they are wide--kind of a "poster" shape. Square is over-rated! Let's have more quilts that are not square.

So, yes, don't worry about the width.

And I too like the purple dividing the stripes.

Dianne said...

WELL! That is just spectacular, Tonya. Are you thinking of putting this quilt in a particular place that would make the width to length ratio an issue? If not, I'd let it be a wide, not very tall quilt. Looks spectacular! I like the double-striped borders, and having them different widths from top and bottom just adds to it for me.

Just a lovely piece of work. No good ideas on names, though. "Joy" kinda says it all, ya know?

Caron at Michigan Quilts said...

Tonya, I like the darker punch of color with it. Very cute quilt!

Donna said...

I rather like it with the extra borders only top and bottom -- if it isn't speaking to you though what of adding another word like "Peace" in form very similar to "joy" but under it, sperated by some of the bordering... or a big happy face... that'd get you length without a lot more width maybe.

Magpie Sue said...

I like the strip of purple between the plaid borders. I think I would be inclined to make the side borders purple, like you have in the picture, but just a bit wider. That way I think it would read more as a banner than a small quilt. Ooo, how about some liberated stars in plaids along the top and bottom? To me that would add to the feeling of joy. Maybe you could call it "Joyful Plaids"?

Sarah said...

wow! i love the pieced plaid letters and the borders are great.

jovaliquilts said...

Joyful, joyful! I like the additions on top and bottom rather than the sides, too. It's more unexpected and gives a boost to the spirit of the quilt.

Twisted Quilts said...

I agree with several of the other comments, great quilt and I like the second layout with the additional purple strip added in. Somehow it reflects the other solid borders. Love the colors

Quilts by Lisa said...

It's a definite "YES" on the purple border. That makes Joyfully Plaid (just trying a name) a hit! Great job.

Cher said...

well, lots of good ideas already given-I am in the double plaid strips top and bottom camp..I like the dark narrow purple on the sides..and I think a tall rectangle is terrific.

I do like the wonky stars idea...but I lean towards the more is more side of things..but a few teeny tiny stars..dancing along the top...hmmm.

name?? have to leave that to someone else...right now my mind is a total blank!

Nancy said...

Spectacular! I LOVE this quilt! It epitomizes JOY! Now i have to find some bright plaids. It just makes me so happy. I think this time you have out done yourself Tonya. And I think it is perfect just the way it is. Smashing!

Colleen formerly of South Africa said...

Love those brights. They look so HAPPY!

Clare said...

Joy of Joys. Tonya - this is superb. I thought you'd excelled yourself with Rumspringa, but this takes the biscuit. Beautiful.

Joyce said...

I like the second one better. The purple makes the plaids stand out more. I see no problem with only top and bottom borders. It's wonderful and joyful with all the bright colors.

lilli said...

Che bei colori! Mi piace la tua filosofia:niente misure, niente schemi, solo fantasia. Complimenti e buon anno. Lilli

Kristin Shields said...

I think I like the first layout because it's more unusual. I also like the narrow side strips. Making it long and tall would be fine. I just love the pieced JOY! As for naming, I would go with the Joyful or Joyfully Plaid. Both sound very happy. It's going to be great no matter what!

Sharon said...

WOW! This quilt is wonderful!! I love plaids in particular and what you've done here just makes my heart go pitty-pat!
I think I like the borders in the top picture better - the wonky strips right next to the other wonky strips. I do like the dark color on it too. I don't think that having this a tall rectangle is a problem. What about another asymmetrical border? Put little wonky plaid stars with the dark background on just the left side or the left and the bottom?
I know, whatever you do, I'll love it!
Happy New Year and good luck with the moving preparations. My thoughts are with you.

dee said...

Love it, love it, love it!! Looks like a jar of jelly beans.
My cat used to climb my leg while I was bruching my teeth. I soon learned to put on my jeans first thing. Ouch!

Quilts And Pieces said...

Love your Joy quilt!

jacquie said...

i think i'd call it 'song of joy'...reminds me of piano keys and the sound of joy coming from them. i know...lame, but that's what came to mind when i saw it. the colors sing joy to me too!

Liz said...

I like the purple between the stripes, too.

Anonymous said...

Tonya, I'm thrilled to have found your beautiful quilting blog. This quilt is a work of art! Know what I like about it? The pieces are slighly lopsided, which gives it a playful look. The colors are amazing and so cheerful!

We visited Paris on our tenth anniversary 27 years ago! I love that city.

I've linked your blog to my Squidoo lens: A Quilt Story: Voices from the Great Depression.

Anonymous said...

Lily is telling you she needs more attention...