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| What's all the fuss about? Relax...we're just trying it out! |
which I really don't like.
Why do I do this to myself? Grrrrr.
So I've come up with a Plan B to square it up then add a 1" yellow border using the same yellow as the flower centers. Then I'll add a second 2" saw tooth border incorporating the 1930's fabrics that I used for the flowers and the same white as the pathway hexies. Depending upon how it looks and if needed, I will then add an additional 3" border using the same yellow and finish it off with a scrappy binding using a random selection of the 1930's prints.
I'm so disappointed that after all this time, I'm not happy with my original dream. *sigh*
I welcome any and all suggestions!
61 comments:
I'd chop off the half hexagons that are sticking out to make the quilt rectangular. Then I'd use the cut off bits in the border somehow. I look forward to seeing what you decide.
I think your plan B is a winner. I really like the idea of your yellow border and scrappy binding. Those flowers are just lovely!
I like your plan B and I love those flowers
Jackie x
I struggled with my hexis and ended up appliquing the center to the borders. I used the same fabric for the border that I used for the pathways. http://www.grassrootsquilting.blogspot.com/search/label/Hexagons
Ok, let's back up here, what had you envisioned this quilt to be? with the borders and matchie stuff you seem to be turning it into a 21st century quilt. If you intention was a 30's quilt then maybe not so much fiddling.
The sides I would leave as they are, the binding would be challenging, but that is the way many grandma flower quilts were bound. and the quilt historians in 75 years can have a field day explaining why it is sort of different from the norm. The ends where the half hexies would have gone can be evened up..(OR redo those hexies - just 84 times two - and add the half flowers.. and it will look great. bind in the yellow.... I bet you have figured out I am not a big fan of pieced binding on a quilt that was so meticulously sewn - hand sewn at that....
look forward to seeing this quilt in the future!! I KNOW how much WORK you have put in this already.
OK, now I have been waiting to see how you would finish this because I have one that has been a traveling project for two years and I have no idea what I will do with it. Most of the older ones I have seen use a straight border made from half-hexie's in the border color, usually white. I have seen a few with the binding as describe by Mimi, they were coverlet size, also very nice. I suppose it will depend on just how much you want to fiddle with the binding!
I would applique the curvy shape onto the yellow border so that it looks like a scalloped edge.
I really like Kathy's idea of appliquing the curved edges onto a wide yellow border, perhaps add a plain white border and I would bind it with the yellow. One of the prettiest hexie quilts I've seen is one pictured in my blog post 'hand quilted gems' (http://amityquilter.blogspot.com/2013/02/hand-quilted-gems.html).
But then, yellow is my favorite color!
It is a shame that you cut first, lol.
I usually fill in the remaining areas with solid hexagons but I have seen ones done where you put a hexagon underneath each one, but looks like a lot of trouble.
When I end my quilt, It is squared off, then I trip off the edges to make a flat edge, then I bind it. A bit of a waste for material and stitching time, but easier to cut down then to add a half hexagon.
Debbie
Kathy's idea of appliquing the curved edges onto the yellow border seems great. It would give it a kind of scalloped border.
I know whatever you do Kaaren it will be lovely! I do like the idea of yellow carried to the outside of the quilt.
I like your plan B and the sacppy binding is a favourite. Oh it will be beautiful whatever you do to it!
I love your idea of squaring it up, Kaaren! It will be uniquely yours - and Frankie's if he has his way! Congratulations of getting to the flimsy stage! I know how much work you've put in so far!
Cheers!
Kaaren, your idea to square up the quilt and add borders is the right direction to go at this point. I think it will be a beautiful quilt, too. Many times the hexagon top is appliqued to a solid border instead of trying to put a binding on all those hexie edges. I have an unfinished 1930's hand pieced grandmother's flower garden top that I will need to make the same decision on. I've collected several pictures of hexagon quilts to see how other quilters have finished theirs.
Hmmmm!!! I see your dilemma! I do think your Plan B is probably the best option, I love your idea of adding a few borders to frame this quilt, and squaring it off would solve a lot of things and not detract anything from the charm of this wonderful quilt!! So yes Plan B, definitely!!!! I look forward to seeing how you progress!!!!!
It looks beautiful. How about little mock Dresdens in those spaces?
First of all it is a beautiful quilt...
I would be tempted to putting in old lace doilys in the scalloped areas on the ends.
I am sure what ever you do it will look lovely.
As you can see your "quilt inspectors" think it is now.
I am working on a similar project and hoped to applique the edges of my hexagons onto border strips. Once appliqued on, I will flip to the backside and cut away the border strip one quarter inch away from the appliqued edge. I will have a rectangle quilt with smooth borders...one can only hope that dreams come true!
Oh dear! Well I think you'll come up with the perfect solution and love your beautiful quilt. That's a lot of work not to LOVE it!
Looks like you've received some great ideas! I know it will be fabulous when finished!
Well Kaaren, you have come this far with it. I would redo the rounded hexi's and then make half flowers to fill in the big spaces. I am doing a star shaped on and have just now started to put in my sides, which I am making with the background fabrics.. And you have come so far with it. Just my thoughts anyway. Keep us posted. Hope you can reply to me now...
I would like to share a pearl of wisdom but you have so many already. I too would square up the long hexies at the end of the quilt and perhaps applique the edges down on strips of yellow. a scrappy binding would be great.
I too like plan B :-)
It sounds like plan B can save the day.
I'd square it up and add the borders in the white and yellow, but, whatever you decide, it's going to be beautiful....so much heart has gone into this little gem, so don't give up on your vision....good luck, sweetie. x
Check out this quilt that we found in a Quilt Shop while on the shop hop...http://sweetp-paulette.blogspot.com/2013/03/double-your-pleasuredouble-your-fun.html
We quilters circled it and were in AWE...LOVED it!!
I think your plan B sounds promising...can't wait to see it!!
P
I hate when this happens to me. And it does. All the time. I think any way you finish it will be fine. I totally get what you were going for. I will say once it is bound you wouldn't be as muddled as now. But either way, it is a work of art and a life long project. A one of.
I mostly always torn with what to do at the edge of a Hexy Quilt. I usually square off and add a border. In this case I would leave it as it is now and bind around the curvy edge with your yellow fabric. Good luck!
I have spent a great deal of time thinking about how I will also finish my grandmothers flower garden. And this is the edge that I have found and love it! http://badskirt.blogspot.com/2010/05/tutorial-finishing-you-hexie-quilts.html. I hope it helps even a little. Your quilt is beautiful and you will eventually love it!!!!!
A hard decision! I'm at that point with the yellow and blue one that I've been working on, and I don't know where to go with it. I'm anxious to see what decision you make! Whatever you do, it will be lovely, but it should be what you want it to be.
As I read Sue Bennett's comment, it rang true for me. That is the way my Mother made hers (filling in with half flowers) and then appliqued the edge down to a solid colored border. She had used that 30s green for her pathways, so she made her border that color.
I have to agree wit Sue Bennett and chime in with Janet O. You have put alot of work in...it won't hurt to do more...just stick with it! In the end, you will be glad you didn't take the quick easy way out.
Kaaren,
You've been offered a lot of opinions, may I suggest you out it away for a day or two and sketch some ideas before cutting it down.
Sometimes you just need to take a step back and breathe and then you see what will be most pleasing to your.
I know it will be wonderful howeve you finish it off
How frustrated you must be. I don't have any suggestions so I'm not much help, but I'm sure whatever you decide, the quilt will be beautiful.
I think plan B is a wonderful choice I could see a yellow border around it. I'm sure what ever you choose will be nice. I really love the colors!
Don't fret everything will be fine!
Prim Blessings
Robin
I've also used an applique approach for the borders, which can be easy. And, I've seen times where some of the hexie flowers "float" off in super wide borders, which I really love. That floating technique make work well on your quilt top.
SewCalGal
www.sewcalgal.blogspot.com
I did not read through all the comment so I might be saying the same. I like what you did A LOT for it is totally original. Never seen that done before. I like your idea that you explained a lot too. You might use the "valleys" created at the top and the bottom to applique a few flowers made out of smaller hexagons. Love your quilt and your pets too. I am amazed at how clean your Westie always is. Mine was a mechanic, always black.
I like your idea Kaaren, but have you considered layering what you have done onto a green fabric, or floral, so that you can keep the curved edges, and finish with a straight edge on the green/floral, and then binding? I bet by now you are sorry you asked...lol... :) Best wishes, and happy crafting, Jenny
I love this quilt. My husband and I made one for my sister as a thank-you for her help with our wedding. I found some lovely green calico with tiny yellow flowers that we used as a backing and to put a hexie border on it and solid green hexies to join it. We used green seam binding to finish it, and it was beautiful. I like your plan B, but Amanda's suggestion sounds good, too. Try it again. It's a beautiful pattern.
I love this quilt. My husband and I made one for my sister as a thank-you for her help with our wedding. I found some lovely green calico with tiny yellow flowers that we used as a backing and to put a hexie border on it and solid green hexies to join it. We used green seam binding to finish it, and it was beautiful. I like your plan B, but Amanda's suggestion sounds good, too. Try it again. It's a beautiful pattern.
how about just taking it an appliquing it onto a yellow border you will still have the same shape but squared off with a yellow border, understand????
its beautiful though but I know how disappointing it can be when your quilt in your head doesn't come out in real life the way you wanted....
Kathie
I like plan B, and I like the idea to applique to the yellow border too.
Maybe leave it a week and mull it over.
Good Luck. It's beautiful.
the quilt is beautiful, I typed in heagon quilt on Pinterest & there's many different ways to do the edges, when something doesn't turn out the way I want it to I'll walk away from it a few days then come back & see it in a different light, you did a beautiful job!
Helen
Your top is wonderful and I know you'll finish it up with a great idea. I like the idea of the yellow.
It is always hard to know how to end a hexie quilt!
I love the top, so do your animals! Good luck with the finishing:)
I love your quilt top. Another idea would be to take off the timmed part and applique the quit top to a yellow like the flower centers so that the border looks like a scallop against the hexagons. Just a thought. You will come to the correct and perfect decision for the quilt. I think Ollie and Frankie think its perfect as it is.
I love your quilt top. Another idea would be to take off the timmed part and applique the quit top to a yellow like the flower centers so that the border looks like a scallop against the hexagons. Just a thought. You will come to the correct and perfect decision for the quilt. I think Ollie and Frankie think its perfect as it is.
I think it looks lovely!
FWIW - my grandmother made one - actually 3 matching - and edged (by Hexies) in yellow all the way around the quilt, the backing was also a golden yellow and all had the "hexie edge". It was all hand stitched and I dearly loved and treasured my quilt - just as my mom and my sis treasured theirs!
My mom made a flower garden quilt like yours. She added a green border, think grass around the garden. Then on both ends she added a white picket fence with some vines and flowers growing in and out of the pickets. Oh, and she added a cute garden gate in the center of both fences. It turned out beautifuly. I can't wait to see yours. Debby (Wisc.)
I have made two different GFG quilts. You might want to consider doing what I did in this one: Quilt #1 in which I appliqued the top onto a border and then added more applique to it. Or you could do this: Quilt #2 in which the flowers on the side were whole and the flowers on the top and bottom were just halves. YMMV.
I waited to comment because I was really interested in reading the many comments you were offered.
And what am I going to offer you might ask:
My hugs!!!
Way to go Cindy!
I LOVE the irregular shape. May I suggest
you cut ¼ inch from the points of colored
flower pedal hexagons— this becomes the
seam allowance for binding, From there I
would bind with bias, yellow binding. It's kind of hard to describe...but I'd try to retain the hexagon edge. Absolutely beautiful quilt! Best wishes!
Your quilt is beautiful and what ever you decide to do it is going to be awesome..
Keep us posted.
It's funny how the quilt spoke to you and said to do something different. Onwards with the new border plan I say. It's still a beauty.
I agree with Sew Gal Sal. I just finished an apple core and wanted to retain the curved edges. I appliqued to a wide border and love the way it turned out! Of course, I love hand applique so that was fun for me. I appliqued each side almost to the corner, mitered the corners and then finished the applique.
If it's any comfort at all, I have an authentic 30's grandmother's flower garden that has the same treatment, with the rounded edges.
I know how you feel, though - you've been working so hard on this, and had a vision. I can't tell you how many times that's happened to me. I think your idea for a fix sounds great, and I can't wait to see how it works out!
This may sound harsh, but it isn't my meaning and someone have probably already said it - but I think you should re-do the entire outer hexagon part so you get sharp angles again. For me it's doesn't work with hexes and rounded out rims, but alas - I'm no expert ;-)
Then you can appliqué the whole thing onto straight borders.
Happy Easter
I am so sorry your quilt hasn't turned out the way you wanted it to. I think your plan B sounds really nice. My mom is working on a Grandmother's Flower Garden and I convinced her to appliqué the individual blocks onto a background fabric before she started sewing them together.
I love your header by the way!
I like your ideas - it's a hard one to complete! But boy it sure is pretty!!
Take a look at how I finished my Grandma's Garden. Just do a search on my web site.
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