Tuesday, March 31, 2015

A flimsy...I think!

I think I should rename it my "Road to Recovery" quilt because I spent many hours stitching away while I was housebound over the past two and a half months, recovering from hip surgery. It definitely made the hours pass by quickly and helped me keep my sanity.

They're not the best photos but my "Down in the Garden" quilt is a flimsy...I think! 

I'm thrilled with the way it turned out but I'm undecided as to whether I should add a final red border or leave it as it is.



What do you think...leave it as it is or add another border?

Happy stitching!


Notes to Mary Stiles and Pauline Cabana:

I'm sorry I could not reply to your comments because you came up as "no-reply" bloggers so I'm answering your questions here.

My friend Julie in Australia bought the patterns from an Australian shop and sent them on to me.  The "Down in the Garden" design was first released as a ten month BOM by Leanne Beasley, an Australian designer, but can now be purchased as a complete set.  You can either Google the pattern by name or contact Leanne directly HERE.  

Yes, I use a VERY lightweight iron-on fusible stabilizer on the back of my stitched designs. Not only does it add stability to the stitched block but it makes the block more opaque to enable travelling between stitched elements without having to tie off threads.

33 comments:

Kathy ... aka Nana said...

I'm leaning toward a final border ... and red would be wonderful.

LoriCR said...

Looks great. A red border added would be wonderful.

Kigwit said...

I vote yes on the red border. I think it would look great.

marina said...

your version of this quilt looks amazing. Love how you have added your own touches to your quilt.
How lovely that it kept you company through your long recovery-very special.

Unknown said...

I would definitely add a border to "finish" it. It's very lovely.

Susan Sawatzky said...

I would add a red border but subdued red.

Roger and Barbara said...

My very. Humble opinion is that a solid red would overpower the beauty of the design. Your eye will draw right to the border and not the quilt. Lay it out with a red, step back and squint. What do you see?

Noela said...

I think the red border sounds like a great idea. Beautiful stitchery. I have quite a few of Leanne's designs. Hugs....

Anonymous said...

Simply gorgeous and I am on the fence about a border. I don't think it really needs it because it is stunning, but then again it would look nice with one too. So I am no help!!

Lucky Duck Dreams said...

I think you need an outer border to balance the whiteness of the embroideries. More black would work.

Unknown said...

It's just stunning. What ever you do with the border !

Lucy said...

I think it is just beautiful with the black and it so eye catching the way it looks now. Red would make it look too
many borders.

Needled Mom said...

It looks great. I'm voting for another border.

annie said...

love it!
yes, another border! I think.

Jacqueline said...

I think it is beautiful as is.

Adrienne Cleave said...

It is stunning Kaaren but I think that one more border would be perfection.
Adrienne

Janice Smith said...

Kaaren,
It's lovely just the way it is; the red border might overpower it. I'd bind it with the dark color that is there, and that will definitely finish it off.

It's charming.
Janice

Luann Fischer said...

It is lovely! I think a tad bit of red would add interest, so I'd put a little flange of 1/4" then a black border that would be about the same or perhaps a bit wider than your sashing. I have not heard the term "flimsy" before, can you tell me why you call it that?
You've put together a very interesting piece.
Luann

Flickenstichlerin said...

Very pretty finish,
what about a srappy border?

Lesley said...

Congratulations! You must be thrilled to have reached this point. Your quilt is beautiful with those yummy fabrics and your beautiful stitcheries. Love how you made it your own!

Grandma M said...

Great job at making it your own. It truly is a special quilt. I would suggest adding another border but also wonder if red would overpower it. How about a piano keys border using more of the lovely fabrics you used in the piecing?

Sandra said...

Great design. I love it as it is.

Janet said...

It came out gorgeous. Your stitching is beautiful. I think I would add a border. Just seems like it would give it the perfect finish. Can't wait to see what you decide.

Lori said...

Lovely! I think a border to tie it all together is a good idea. So glad you are healing!

Janet O. said...

Kaaren, it is absolutely delightful! So, so pretty!
I admit to being a border kind of gal more often than not, so I would probably add one, but don't know that I would make it red. Seems that would overpower the center prettiness and distract from all of your work. I'd almost be inclined to go with a pieced border--just simple squares, nothing fancy. Or, if not, a blue or green. Just MHO.

Monica said...

I LOVE it with that dark sashing! It seems to make the piecing more of a feature then when the blocks all blend together. And of course the colours glow. I love those extra heart appliques, too.

Like most commenters, I am also in favour of the red border. It looks beautiful, Kaaren. Congratulations!

Maxine said...

Add another border.

Tina Marie the Willow Witch said...

I love it...so pretty.

Wendy Caton Reed said...

It is lovely but I vote for an added red border as well. I love the name of it too. You deserve a beautiful quilt for all that "recovery" work!

Ruthie's Place said...

It's beautiful. Such a pretty quilt.Warm hugs,
Ruthie

Radka said...

So pretty:-)
And yes, I agree with others, a red border (but not too wide) would give it a little more lift.
xx

Diane said...

What an unusual and interesting quilt. I love it the way it is.

Diane said...
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