Is it THIS QUILT or is there something wrong with ME???? I swear (yes, I have done some of that with this quilt) I just can not seem to get it together with this one. I have stalled...I have rearranged....I have literally covered it up so I couldn't even see it as I walked through the room!!! I FINALLY got the houses arranged the way I liked and FINALLY sewed the top together. This class reunion quilt has worked a number on me...I don't know why really, I guess I'm afraid of the worse case scenario...no one will like it, resulting in low bids equals total embarrassment to me. (but then again, if no one bids on it I get to bring it home) I am aware that a lot of people don't like this type of quilt but I felt I needed to make one that expressed ME and how I felt about my little hometown. I think the little houses represent the wonderful community we all grew up in together.This quilt started out a lot more colorful than it is now. I realized that maybe I should tone it down some as to not just SCARE everyone with the brightness of it....LOL....I think everyone is expecting something that looks like what their grandmother would make.....boy, won't they be surprised......but then again I WAS voted as 'most unpredictable'!!!
ANYWAY......I would SOOOOO love for you guys to take a minute....look/study this quilt and give me your brutally honest opinion......yes, be honest.....you ARE NOT going to hurt my feelings! Here is my thinking.....it seems TOO busy to me. Do I not have enough break between the top and the flying geese border. I'm thinking the black/white check sashing is still busy enough that it all runs together.....???? Have I worked it to death....??? Red sashing was TOO harsh.......should I put another row of something before I add the flying geese....oh yes, and these flying geese are toned down from the first ones I made and I feel it looks better, but.....maybe the flying geese are too much???? I should do something else??? Should I just finish it the way it is and be done with it??? Maybe I have just looked at it too long!!
Soooooooo, what do you think?????? Mr. Brown Dirt is SOOOOO ready for me to just be finished with it...LOL.....he is tired of listening to me whine about it!!!
I like the quilt a lot! I think the black and white border is a really good frame and I'd consider adding another one on the outside of the geese border. The b/w border ties very week with the b/w points in the blocks. One thing that might help to create that tie more is to add a couple more of the short rows b/w points within the quilt. Regardless, I say keep going!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely keep going! It's a beautiful quilt! It is very busy. I agree with Vicki about the black and white border pulling it all together. But at the same time I'm wondering if just replacing the black and white border with a plain border might be all this quilt needs. Just my little old opinion! LOL
ReplyDeleteI love it, how about a skinny white border on both sides of the b/w border. That might tame it down a little.
ReplyDeleteOh, I am familiar with this kind of self torture! I want to say to you that you are an artist with an excellent eye and you can trust your instincts! Things are looking great. I agree that the black and white is not quite right, I personally find it to be "too much" in almost any quilt though. Too bad the red didn't work, since that is my answer to everything. I think a skinny border (no wider than the black and white you have) in a fabric that reads as solid, will give a little place for the eye to rest before taking in those great geese! It really is looking great, so just sew it up, people are going to love it. I want to bid on it! You are an inspiration.
ReplyDeleteI love the bright and busy. I vote keep going! Color! And, keep the black and white check! (Exclamations! lol)
ReplyDeleteI really don't see anything wrong with it Belinda - really. I am a black and white lover and I think another row of the same black and white outside of the geese would look great! And then for the binding - I think that the white background with the black polka dots would look really cool. (That's just my humble opinion.)
ReplyDeleteBelinda, I sent an email with a pic sketch attached. it is a great start but I would add some darker values and repeat the stacked green triangles in your trees in your flying geese border. See what you think. But, don't give up.
ReplyDeleteI love what you are doing and I totally identify with the angst. I over think almost every aspect of my life. I am wondering like some of the others about a solid border. Maybe on either side of the black and white or replace the black and white with something. What about green to represent the grass or trees in the neighborhood. I definitely love the houses and the flying geese.
ReplyDeleteFirst...I love it! I don't think it's too busy...and I don't like quilts that are overly busy...I think the white background on the flying geese gives it just the right amount of open space...and your contrast is good...so just keep it the way it is I say!
ReplyDeletelove it! if you want to tone it down, try removing the flying geese and putting on a solidy border of red or blue. see what that does for it....
ReplyDeleteI agree with your own diagnosis: it seems a bit too busy. I love the way the house blocks are laid out, and they are so cute! I think a less-busy fabric as borders between the houses might give it a little more stability.
ReplyDeleteI like the houses! So much to look at and explore. What a great little town you made there :) The black and white sashing is cute, but I agree with Tonya, the flying geese border seems to be fighting with the busyness of the cute houses. A navy, green or red solid would be different enough to stand out from the black and white check, but tone down the border. Hope you find an idea you can live with (sorry Mr. Brown Dirt, you still got awhile to go)
ReplyDeleteIf I may throw my two cents in, there's NOTHING wrong! I would sew it together and bind it with a black and white print. The quilt is gorgeous. I love the way you threw in the pieced sashings. I would LOVE to own this quilt. Adorable!
ReplyDeleteIf it were me I would take away the black and white border and replace it with a 2-inch solid beige or tan strip. Then I would add the flying geese to the outside and call it complete. I like flying geese but think they look best “out on their own” and I think the houses will “shine” better if they were sitting inside solid. I feel the black and white is keeping you from focusing on the cuteness of the houses.
ReplyDeleteI hope the high bidder appreciates all the work you have put into this quilt!
I love it and I would bid on it just as it is! But I totally get what you are saying about pleasing others who might not 'get' the modern look. I would keep the black/white border, and add a RED border just inside of it! That would provide the relief for the eyes and wouldn't be too overwhelming! Or just keep it exactly how it is ;)
ReplyDeleteBelinda, it is an adorable quilt!
ReplyDeleteHi Belinda,
ReplyDeleteYou can't anticipate what others want, so I think you should make it so you are totally happy with it. Some of the bidders may be getting the quilt for a child's room, so busy and colorful is good!
I like how it looks so far. I would bind it in black.
Vicky F
It's true that some people don't like this style of quilt but there are plenty of us that do. I love this very much, It's fun and interesting to look at and thats what makes a successful quilt. I think the b&w is fabulous, leave it. According to Freddy, it's a resting place for the brights.
ReplyDeleteYou can do something fabulous with the geese. Add a light rectangular strip to only one side of each goose, alternating sides. It'll give space, movement and airiness. I suggest a star block in the corners on light background too. Is that helpful?
I love the houses - I think if they stood out a bit more - maybe a solid for the sashing between them - green for grass? I think one color for the sashing instead of the prints - since the houses have prints for their backgrounds. Sometimes just one change makes a huge difference.
ReplyDeleteYou might continue the green to between the b/w border and the flying geese and maybe even after the flying geese - maybe as wide as the geese - that might tie it all together.
Basically you have a great quilt - just maybe a little tweaking would make it super great.
Have fun - looking forward to seeing the end result.
I totally love it. It I were to "tweak" it a bit, I would suggest leaving everything you have, but insert a navy (or perhaps tan) 2" border after the houses/before the black which checkered border (which I think is absolutely a keeper). Then you would have that "resting place" from the business of the houses and can enjoy the remainder of the fabulous work you've done with the outer borders.
ReplyDeleteI totally love it as it is...why do we torture ourselves like this !..
ReplyDeleteThe black and white border looks great . it suits the quilt...keep going Belinda
Julia ♥
I LOVE IT just the way it is. To thine own self be true!! don't make it to be what you think someone else expects, make it to please your heart and soul.
ReplyDeleteBelinda,
ReplyDeleteI love this and I particularly love the colours and the quirkiness of it all.
If I may, the only thing I would 'add' is a plain white (perhaps) small (maybe 1 inch) border before the geese. That's it.
It should give your eye a place to rest amongst the the 'wonderfulness' of this quilt.
I love it Belinda!! Love it!
..or the soft teal.
ReplyDeleteThere are so many fantastic suggestions here... and I do agree... be true to you!!
You are indeed an artist and a wonderful one at that!!
When I get asked "what did you do last night?"...I can answer that I stared at a quilt on my computer screen. I made the picture big, then little, then big again...
ReplyDeleteI think it is fantastic!!! The b/w check border is perfect. I love flying geese in borders.
If it were me sewing...I would end up breaking up segments of flying geese (like 9 of them) with randomly cut lengths of the "lights". Then the border would appear less busy. Does that make sense? This suggestion has nothing to do with design...it is just me knowing that I would be sick to death of sewing flying geese and want it to be done.
I say a black binding too!
I love it as is...I would definitely bid on this quilt!
ReplyDeleteLove the layout of the houses. I would suggest a checkerboard b/w border to widen it just a little. Then only add the flying geese on part of the border, say the top and down the left side (partial or full). Your instinct will tell you when it's right. I know it's frustrating to just keep worrying about it. Good luck.
ReplyDeleteIf you read through the 27 comments prior to this one, you should be very confused. ;-) So I'll chime in: I like to break up my pieced borders with plain ones so I would put a solid 1-1.5" border on both sides of the checkerboard border and another on the outside of the flying geese, maybe 4". I think these plain borders set off the pieced ones. That said, I really like your quilt. The houses are beautiful and well placed. Good going!!
ReplyDeleteIt's great! Stop being so hard on yourself. I think you should add another black and white border after the flying geese. It's meant to be a busy quilt and I think it will be popular. I'd be happy to bid for it!
ReplyDeleteYou need to appreciate your skills and abilities, you have them!
Abbe
Alrighty Belinda.....let me weigh in on the quilt....the colors are whimsical and perfect....the flying geese only add to the uniqueness of the quilt...the B/W border goes great...the quilt reminds me of an animated cartoon that a child's mind could get lost in.....LOVE IT!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm just sayin'
OH my gosh I love this quilt - it's the happiest thing I've seen in a long time! Keep the b&w border, bind it with b&w and it will be perfect. This is fabulous!
ReplyDeleteOh Belinda, stop worrying! This quilt is JUST RIGHT!! It's wonderful, beautiful,whimsical and it will knock their socks off! I love it just like it is. The black and white sets off the houses beautifully...keep it! And the flying geese add a touch of order to it and finish it off nicely. Finish your geese, bind it in black and it will be perfect! Just do it!
ReplyDelete(no strong opinions here!)
I think it's really great as is - the b&w border really works well.
ReplyDeleteKeep going - we all fear rejection, and it's hard to make work for other people - just breath and keep going and know from your blog friends that it is great and so are you for doing it
Belinda,
ReplyDeleteI love the quilt ....the only thing that I would make is to the frame around the picture. I would add a fabric that reads as a solid on each side of the black and white and again on the outside of the flying geese. ( See what a medium value green or small polka dot does. )
Can't wait to see it all together. I think it is stunning!!!
Hugs, B
You probably don't need any more opinions, but here goes......I LOVE YOUR QUILT! The flying geese border is a wonderful border, the black white check is great also, my eyes keep wanting to stare at the lower right house, I don't know if its the roof or the background is very bright, not a bad thing though.I work in a quilt shop and if we had that quilt & pattern, we would sell it out immediately, a fabric rep who visited us 2 weeks ago was sharing with us how ALL fabrics are getting brighter in color, and the patterns are more bold, so you are right in style!!
ReplyDeleteAfter reading all your comments you are probably really spinning!!
ReplyDeleteI love the black and white little border but think b&w flying geese would tie in better to the b&w in each house.
I'd lvoe to bid on this quilt! It's a beauty and so fun!!
It's terrible - you should send it to me to get rid of it!!!!
ReplyDeleteHowever, I LOVE it! Yes, busy, like a neighborhood - the viewer doesn't want to stop looking, peeking, investigating! Frankly, I don't find one thing wrong with it. Keep going in the SAME direction.
It's fresh, light and airy, and I am imagining fresh breezes, gardens, clear sky, etc. Please DON'T do anything to make it 'traditional'.
I love it! I love all of it :-)
ReplyDeleteOh my God! I LOVE it, I LOVE it, I LOVE it! I want to live in every house and sleep under all of those great trees! I love the checkered border and "give me more flying geese" is my motto! This quilt "sings" to me-and I'm sure it will to anyone with even a teensy bit of whimsy and taste!
ReplyDeleteWhat a talent you have!
Tricia(Did I use enough exclamation points for you to feel good about this quilt?!)
hi B. I don't quilt like this, but i LOVE it. I like the b/w inner border, what if you offset some of the geese in the border so they weren't so straight? I'd keep going and then see what a b/w stripe on the bias would look like for binding. And maybe a blk/white pinwheel block in each corner. See if you can put a minimum bid on the quilt.
ReplyDeleteI love this quilt, but the strong b/w border is making the houses recede too far for me. I would have made a white border or something that doesn't grab the eye as much. But that's just me.
ReplyDeleteIt's fabulous, fun quilt! A reflection of "unpredictable you", and all the things you love, and that equals a great quilt!
ReplyDeleteMaybe to get people interested in wanting to bid on the quilt, you could put little photo transfers of class mates hidden around the houses, in the windows or in the geese? Or quilt the names of classmates throughout the quilt top? If they are a part of the quilt, they might be more likely to want to have it.
Since your borders are not finished-- How about some of Tonya's letters/words on the bottom border. "Our Town" would perhaps make a connection with the bidders.
ReplyDeleteit's not too busy. Put it together just like it's shown. Get it done and you'll feel SOOOO much better!
ReplyDeleteIt's really a work of art and you're going to have a LOT of bids...guaranteed!
Belinda, I love it just the way it is. Trust your judgement, you have an eye...A small black and white polk-a-dot to bind it would look cute. I think you will get high bids on this one, but I don't know if I could sale it.
ReplyDeleteYou've completely captured the "community" concept for your hometown. The houses are wonderful and the geese border so lively. You may be on target about the b&w border. Since the focal point is the colorful houses of the quilt center, you might want to add an inner border (either in addtion to, or instead of, the b&w checkerboard) to "stop" the eye before it gets to the colorful geese. Perhaps in the wonderful pink of one of the roofs, or the bright blue? Maybe what you are responding to is competition for the eye's focus...the houses call for attention, but the little black squares do, too. But keep going... it's going to be lovely!
ReplyDeleteI love it!! but if you're worried about being too busy then do what Patty said.. remove the black and white, replace it with a tan color then add the geese back around the outside.. that would tone it down.
ReplyDeleteI love the house arrangement!! so cute!!
Do not change this quilt! I love it so much that I want to come to your reunion and be the highest bidder! Your classmates are going to love it. Everything is going to go smoothly and you'll be a big hit.
ReplyDeleteYou have definitely looked at it for too long! It looks good the way it is with the geese. Just sew it together!
ReplyDeleteI like the flying geese just like you have them. Makes me think of everyone flying home for the reunion.
ReplyDeleteHey Belinda, Just like "The cook cooks for the cook", you gotta do "your" thing. Go with what makes your skirt fly up, my friend! How can it be anything less than fabulous? Happy sewing!
ReplyDeleteThis happens to me when I try too hard or when I'm trying to please someone else. You've over thought this because it is going to be seen by lots of people and you will maybe feel a little judged by them. You want to show your individuality and creativity, and that is good. I think it is the flying geese for me that seems a little over the top. But seriously. You need to follow your inner feeling on it and suit yourself. Everyone else be damned!
ReplyDeleteI love all of it the blocks, the black and white and the flying geese - and no it is not too busy - I would love to have seen your version before you toned it down! Look at Mary Lou Weidman's quilts - they make yours look quite sedate. Keep going - it's gorgeous and everybody is going to love it!
ReplyDeleteYour quilt is FABULOUS just the way it is. It bothers me that some people are suggesting bland solids to "tone it down". It does not need to be toned down! One thing that others have suggested appeals though. I do like the idea of a black and white or red and white binding, perhaps polka dots? I just love what you have created! And, also, too? Someone thinks that your Flying Geese border is too much? WTF! Sorry for the bad language. Not really!
ReplyDeleteHi Belinda,
ReplyDeleteI love your houses, the black and white border and the geese also. Yesterday my husband and I discussed about your problem and he thinks there should be a tame border next to the houses ( :( ), followed by the black and white and the geese and then he would like your quilt best - I disagreed with him, cause I only would add a red border maybe to both sides of the birds, that's all I would do... This quilt is soo wonderful and I love your style.
Maybe you should give it a rest, do something else and come back and listen to your heart and your intuition. I'm sure, you'll get it right, cause you are already doing it alright!
Herzhaft schräg und absolut liebenswert!
Gosh friend, I'm not reading any comments and going with "first thought best thought." I like it the way it is. For real. I think you've got it balanced and the space between is great. I dig the black and white treatment and personally, I'd let it rest and go with it.
ReplyDeleteNow I'm going to read what everyone else said...
Okay, so I am late on this one. Hopefully you are on your way to finishing this one. But here is my two cents. I really love it and can't see why it wouldn't get lots of bidding and lots of mooola! Anyway, the only thing that I think might add something too it is another white border on the outside of the geese. Not too large, maybe the same size as the black and white inner border. Possibly even another black and white instead of just a plain white. If you really want a pop of red, use that for the binding. Anywho, if no one likes it, there is a wonderful home right here that will be glad to adopt it!
ReplyDeletekeep playing girl. It's a beauty! Only you will know what to do to this quilt. Don't let your WORRY take over...Make it the way YOU like it, not what you think will bring the bids... It's amazing. I still say keep it.;-)
ReplyDeleteI love it!!!! Especially since it is not my grandmother's quilt. I think it is happy!
ReplyDeleteI think that if you pulled a color you love that is in the quilt and added a border and then put the flying geese, it would be lovely.
ReplyDeleteIt is a great quilt!
Micki
It is wonderful. This quilt is supposed to be busy and fun. Why would you want to tone it down? Bind in black and white. fabulous!
ReplyDeleteLOVE IT so much! My only input idea is to add a light (maybe dotted, maybe pieced) border outside of your flying geese, to frame it.
ReplyDeleteI can see from your newer post that you have taken a break with this one. Designing a quilt like this is a pretty intense exercise, putting it aside for a bit is probably a very smart decision.
Please finish it when you are ready. I would love to make a bid on it!
oh no please dont leave it. I love it.
ReplyDeleteBut the black and white border has to go.
I did a quick mock up and made it all green (tiny green pattern, all over pattern but not too busy.
then the geese
then a green wide border.
Just what I think
cyu in the Clamshell Club
One of my friends told me you had this dilemma about how to finish this quilt and being not so sure if you even like how it is now. I've been there before and had to come see it. The quilt is GREAT! Yes, perhaps you have looked at it too long, but you have come so far and it is really a fun quilt. Make it as you first wanted to. That is usually what I have to go back to.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see the finished product!
The B/W border is wonderful, BUT - put a solid on both sides to separate it from the quilt and from the geese a bit. That way the eye sees all three design elements. What color for the strips? I would bring out the purple/blue from the block on the right (sky) or similar. You could audition several tertiary colors to see which you prefer.
ReplyDeleteI love this quilt, it is liberating without screaming. Love your houses, especially the one toward the bottom with the pink roof and the one on the left with the greenish background. They are wonderful!
Please show us the finish!!
I LOVE this quilt! Hope you don't mind me chiming in - stumbled onto your blog while surfing. The houses are so happy and quietly rebellious in a very pleasing way. Did you finish the quilt? It was up for bid? Too bad I couldn't get in on the bids! ;D
ReplyDelete