Do your quilts talk to you? I’ve discovered mine do and when I don’t listen, they usually don’t turn out as well. This is the story of a conversation I had with a recent quilt. A few weeks back I was piecing a quilt top for an upcoming class at WCTC. I’ve discovered that any class that involves some variation on Log Cabin will be popular, thus I need to make one of these every so often. Once the top was finished (and made totally from my stash :-)), I couldn’t decide which fabric to use for the border.
I was really leaning towards the plaid (just because I think it’s pretty and I’ve been wanting to use it). I laid the fabrics out around the top and the quilt virtually screamed “use the paisley”!
I, of course, asked “are you sure”? The quilt answered “yes”, so I decided I needed a second opinion and took it to Open Lab where the class unanimously voted for the paisley. Well, I gave in and added a 5″ paisley border with a 1/2″ dark green flange tucked into the seam for drama (if you’re unfamiliar with adding a flange, click here! This was a topic of conversation at my WCTC Open Lab this week :-)).
Go figure. The quilt was right!
Do your quilts talk to you? Have you had an experience where you refused to listen? Please tell us about it.
PatG says
Chris, this was fun to read. I don’t really know if I ‘listen’ to my quilts or not ‘listen’. But I think I would have been the ‘odd ball’ out here and used the PLAID. LOL So I guess I’m not a listener. Your quilt is very pretty and I love the design as I also love the log cabin variety. Love you blog.
Pat
Hazel says
Yes, and sometimes I don’t like what they say, but sure isn’t wise not to listen:). Could not help but notice the wooden spool on your chain piecing cutter..those aren’t around anymore….
clkquilt says
They can be found in antique stores and flea markets (and in my studio :-))!
kim t says
Right away I thought the paisley would make the best border…but…maybe you can use the plaid for the binding…cut on the bias…just a thought.
Lori Schloesser says
My quilts talk to me all the time.
One time, I was congratulating myself that I had just enough fabric for the binding and wasn’t even thinking about consulting the wall hanging what it wanted, I just assumed that binding was the way to go. That poor wall hanging had to distract me so I cut the binding wrong (it couldn’t have been my mistake, now could it?) Only then did I consult the wall hanging with a “Now what?” and it said loud and clear “I WANT A FACING!”
Of course it was right, facing was the way to go and the quilt was much better with the facing. After that, I made a promise to myself not to assume anything, but to consult the piece before I make a decision.