Tuesday, January 5, 2016

Always Nice to Make a Decision or Two

All the Vintage Red blocks are sewn together now. I played with several different ideas for layout. First, offsetting the blocks, then considering some simple pieced sashing. Next I removed a couple flowers and insert a plain block or two. And finally, I lined them all back up in proper rows and added a simple light blue print horizontal sashing. Ta da!
Vintage Red
That's it. Exactly what it needs! Even though I was pretty sure at the start of the quilt that it would have some pieced sashing. Can I just say that I really, really had my heart set on some pieced sashing? But sometimes quilts have other ideas. And sometimes I just don't know what I want, until the perfect solution is right in front of my eyes and everything sort of 'clicks' into place.

On to the outside border. Or not? Nah, it needs a little extra on the outside. Okay, more of the light blue print?
Auditioning border fabrics
 Perhaps with some pieced blue triangles? haha  Gotta keep trying don't I?
Possible piecing
Or maybe just the simple red print. Yep. That's the one. This quilt is just really stubborn or else I didn't believe it could be this easy. One simple fabric border? How often does that happen around here, me being the queen of adding-on-a-border. And another. And another....
Or just a plain red
Okay, okay, confession time. I've been debating this for a several weeks. More really, if you count all the time I've had stitching and thinking about the quilt. It's been hard to let go of my pre-conceived notions and just let it be. It's always good for me to have time to simmer, even if I'm pretty sure what the outcome will be. I don't like regrets and/or the feeling of having rushed a decision. The quirky red flowers look like they're more than capable of holding their own in a simple layout and now I'm okay with that.

Time to soak the border fabric in very hot water and some liquid 'free and clear' laundry detergent. There was a teeny, tiny bit of dye in the water within the first couple minutes and then nothing so far. Better to be safe than sorry when it comes to red fabrics!
Gotta see if the red will bleed
And I have the two flannel comfort quilt tops sewn up and ready for quilting too. Just need to get my regular sewing machine into the shop before I attack these. This backup machine has a smaller harp space and I just don't feel like wrestling these quilts around without the larger space. Plus, I'm a yard and a half shy of having enough backing fabric. Guess I'll have time to find something to go with what I already have!
Rail Fence comfort quilts
Obviously, it's not Monday, but I thought this would be a good time to link up with Moving It Forward Monday over at Em's Scrapbag! Amazingly enough I've had enough time to check out each of my open ended quilting projects {not just Vintage Red and the comfort quilts} this week. It felt good to take a thorough look at everything I have going on. Decisions have been made, ideas are churning and I am almost ready to dive into a new project or two.*sigh  Isn't that how it almost always goes?

38 comments:

  1. I liked the idea of the pieced blue border, but then I saw the photo with the red - perfect! Its looking very pretty already.

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  2. I love the quilt. Red sashing looks nice. I also like the the darker blue.The comfort quilts look snugly!

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  3. I just found your blog and really enjoy looking around. I enjoyed it so much I'm going to follow you on bloglovin.
    Kathleen Mary
    https://kathysnest32.wordpress.com/

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  4. *squeal* I've been waiting for a Vintage Red update - how I adore this quilt!!!! Yes yes yes on the red border. This quilt is so perfect in so many ways!!!

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  5. I really like this quilt...along with so many others you have done. Have started the 365 quilt...so excited! You have a good eye (as they say) and cannot wait to see those other projects come to fruition...roll on 2016. :-)

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  6. Yep, the red border is IT! Sometimes simple is best, and it makes it easy when the quilt tells you what it wants. LOL

    Can't wait to see what you have up your sleeve for this year!

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  7. The quilt always knows best! ;)

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  8. as soon as I saw the red fabric I said yes - perfect border for that quilt. I need to spend time getting a couple comfort quilts made too - I have one baby size set aside and that is it.

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  9. The red is really nice....but my first thought was the blue with a bit of simple applique!

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  10. I like the blue and the red, either or both would look good. Anxious to see it when completed.

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  11. I agree, it feels great to make some decisions and reduce the number of balls in the air. And Vintage Red looks exactly right too!

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  12. The red fabric gives the Vintage Red flowers the perfect pop. Is that the end or are you thinking about what will come next? :0)

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  13. Sometimes simple borders help the center of the quilt to shine. I think your choices were good.

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  14. Lovely quilt and I like the red border the most. Love the Rail Fence too, looks so comfortable!
    greetings from the Netherlands
    Francisca

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  15. I absolutely ADORE that vintage red quilt. And, when I scrolled down to your red border choice I said "yes! she nailed it". I think it is one of my favorites of yours. And, that is saying some, because I truly do love all of your quilts.

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  16. I love this quilt! Such happy flowers reaching for the sun. The red border is truly perfect. (Maybe the blue would work for the binding?)

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  17. Can't wait to see the finished product!

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  18. I'm totally a red convert, can't believe I ever sewed without it!!

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  19. Always fun to read about your process. The blue sashing is perfect and I love the red for the border.
    Hope you get your machine back soon.

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  20. Those flowers are so beautiful in their simplicity. Most times you just have to listen to what they quilt is saying to you!

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  21. These fun, happy flowers make such a great quilt. Simple sashing and borders will look wonderful - especially when you add your fabulous handquilting stitches!!

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  22. Ah such fun flowers! I too love the red for the border, it links in beautifully with the flowers!

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  23. Sometimes simple is all you need, and I think the red spot is perfect.

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  24. I love the quilt, I think you chose perfect colors.

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  25. Love those quirky flowers! The dotty red border looks just perfect for the borders. Seeing that lovely pair of Rail Fence quilts perked me up no end today. Brilliant way to bust some stash and get a great looking quilt into the bargain. Thanks for the inspiration.... I owe you one! lol xxx

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  26. The fabric with the numbers is an interesting addition to your quilt and it works very well.

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  27. This may just be my favorite top, your Easter egg flower quilt, and that red border fabric is perfect! I'd love to know more about that "free and clear" detergent, I've used Synthrapol for setting colors in fabrics but always interested in what others are using and its merits.

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  28. This may just be my favorite top, your Easter egg flower quilt, and that red border fabric is perfect! I'd love to know more about that "free and clear" detergent, I've used Synthrapol for setting colors in fabrics but always interested in what others are using and its merits.

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  29. I love the way this quilt is talking to you - it is indeed very stubborn! The red border will look great. Wonder what your new projects will be......?

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  30. Good choices (and the perfect place for your pieced sashing will turn up sooner or later). I think it's because the flowers are such a strong simple shape that the simpler solutions worked better. Can't wait to see what else you've been thinking.

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  31. I'm so in love with your red quirky flowers ...

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  32. Well I love red...so yes red! I'm in the middle of a project that talks to me too. :)

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  33. I am loving your rows of vintage red flowers! A simple red border? Who would have guess! Your flannel quilts looks very comfy. I look forward to seeing your new projects!

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  34. I love these folksy flowers! So beautiful. I agree that keeping the sashing and border simple lets them shine.

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  35. Hello Audrey! Is has been too long since my last visit and I am enjoying catching up on your work. I Love your Vintage red and am looking forward to see the next step!

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Thanks for visiting! I love getting comments and always try to respond via email. Please leave an email in the comment to ensure a return reply! {Many of you are popping up as Anonymous for some reason, so I have no idea who it is.} Regardless, I appreciate all the comments and read every single one.