Wednesday, March 16, 2011

The plaids are talking...again!

OK! The border had to be made out of 3.5 inch strips, because that is what I had already cut. I considered flying geese, then considered piano keys...but this is what I settled on. I like it! Not overpowering, but fun. I sewed for 15 minutes, then ran around and cleaned house for 15 minutes, then sewed 15 minutes, then cleaned...all day long. The house is sparkly, and the quilt border is done!! Yahoo! This is a great option for those ADD people...set your timer and have at it! You have to concentrate, and it is tiring...but boy, you get a lot done for the time of your day.
The border close up...do you like that stripey house slipper...hee!!!


Hey, speaking of fabrics talking to us...here are some of the things they say. Plaids say to me, "I belong in a log cabin...take me there!". Florals want to be in a Victorian home. Lines of fabric may be a little stuck up, "We don't really want any outsider... not in OUR click!". Scraps are happy and freewheeling, adaptable...they love anywhere and any quilt!!

Some fabrics...even speak the language of love! Seductive, you know..."Hey, I am beautiful...come feel me, don't I just feel so soft and silky in your hand? Hmmmmm???". You know you love running your hand over soft lovely cotton fabrics!!! And those satins, and velvets...now what would they say if they could really talk? Some fabrics even call out to you at the quilt store..."Come buy me!", they shout!


Have a great day all!! I am off to work again!!


Julie

49 comments:

Trisha said...

Wow, Julie! You accomplished so much. Your plaid jewel box quilt is so gorgeous. I wish I had a plethora of plaids like you!

Sharon said...

Wow. Your quilt is gorgeous. The border you decided on definitely makes the quilt!

Karen said...

You made such a good choice of border on your quilt.
I like all your thoughts about fabric speaking to you. Some are kind of snobby, some playful, some mean serious business, etc.

Nancy said...

The border is perfect! You have great "listening" skills.

Vicki W said...

I think that from now on I am going to just put the comment "ditto" because I always love your spectacular quilts! Going forward "ditto" - spectacular, wonderful, I LOVE it and gorgeous. I've simply lost my creativity when posting comments on your site!

Barbara Ann Beamer Jones said...

Julie - how do you get so much done??

Sharon said...

Julie...LOVE this border!!! And I like your method of cleaning house and sewing, works for me!

Amy said...

Julie,
This so great! Love those borders!

Quilter Kathy said...

While you're running around for your housechores, can you hear the fabrics yelling to you??!!? Very cool border that this quilt demanded!

Anonymous said...

If it wasn't for the fact the fabrics know what they are talking about, I would be seriously worried about you...hehehe.

Quilt is beautiful.

blessings, jilly

Barb said...

I love the border, it is awesome!!

Terry said...

This quilt is fabulous! You're so good! :0) BTW...we seem to have the same slippers! LOL

~Joan said...

I like your border choice so much. It is so nice because it has a touch of the light, but mostly highlights and frames with the dark fabrics.

Susan said...

Absolutely beautiful. Looks like your quilt knew just what to say to you about the border.....

And the outer border is the exact right one for that quilt.

Isn't it lovely to have a clean house and the border finished....

Yvette said...

Julie, you really outdid yourself on this one. It is just FABULOUS!!! I love it!

Ruthie said...

I LOVE it! Makes me wish I had a large stash of plaids.

Sharon said...

Oh how I love the finished look of this quilt. Pieced borders are such a pain but you figured out the best way to get it done! I'm loving 15 minutes in the a.m. It's amazing what you can get done when you focus on one thing in a small time frame. Congrats on a beautiful finish!

sosarahsew said...

I'm surprised you could get a picture of this quilt what with all the fabrics jumping around high-fiving each other with the cool border addition!! Much better that the "slab o'border: you had considered. I love it!!
Sarah

Merilyn said...

I think you ended up with the perfect solution, love the saw-tooth effect you created, I'll have to keep that one in mind!!!

Jan said...

The border is just perfect! I like your ideas of alternating chores with sewing, and your thoughts on fabric.

Leeanne said...

Yeah!!! Happy border and happy clean house!!Thank you ever soooo much for sharing.

Loris said...

It looks wonderful! Those plaids really know their stuff. Love what you put in the corners!

AnnieO said...

Love the border! That sawtooth is so classic and it looks like it took you a week rather than a day! Fantastic :)

Anonymous said...

Hello Julie, spot on with your border for the plaids....I had the same problem today with a churn dash quilt... I will blog about it when I have stitched the borders.....love your idea of 15 mins of chores and 15 mins of sewing...I think I would be distracted and sit and sew....grin...hugs lyn

loulee said...

Loving it.

Beginning Quilting said...

You did an awesome job with this quilt. I love your choice of fabrics! You absolutely have a great taste when it comes to choosing your fabrics. I agree that the border is really pretty! Keep up the good work! :)

Carol said...

WOW! WOW! WOW! Julie the border is FANTASTIC! That fabric sure knew what it wanted and you heard it loud and clear. Just Perfect!

Cheri said...

That 15 minute plan is a good one. The border is VERY nice. Beautiful quilt! Keep listening!

Jane said...

I use a form of your 15 minute technique for getting my husband's shirts ironed. Whenever its time to press my just sewn seams I'll also iron say the left front of a shirt. Sew, press, iron back of the shirt. Sew, press, iron right front & on & on. Eventually the shirt gets ironed and I've been happy sewing!

Nicky said...

Great idea - timing different activities - I usually try and fit stuff in between picking up various children, and getting housework done before a friend arrives for tea or a trip out. Gets it all done as I am very good at prevarication. Great quilt - the fabrics were right they belong together. Just wish they were talking to me as successfully...
Nicky

Shelia said...

Love, Love, Love the border. You did a great job Julie! And I love the idea of timing your quilting and cleaning. sometimes just a few minutes is all your brain can handle of anything!

Texan said...

Lovely, wow it looks super!!!

Lori said...

You are such a nut! I love what you ended up doing with the border!!
You are a sewing whiz! I've had ADD lately bad!

Nicole said...

That is perfection.

Unknown said...

Stunning! Absolutely Stunning!!! Nothing more to say :)))

Elaine Adair said...

Ditto from Anne above!!!

P.S. Glad you did MORE than a piano key border - your points make it even better!

Julie S said...

Awesome, Julie. You sure are talented at picking borders that make your quilts sparkle!

Caryl @ cinnamon holiday workshop said...

This is another awesome quilt by you!! YOU are amazing...I always enjoy looking to see what you are up to next!!

Angie said...

Oh Julie, oh Julie, that quilt is PERFECT!!! And the 'picket fence' border is the icing on the cake. You are just AWESOME!!! :D

Louise SS said...

Yes, fabric talks to me too! That is why I can never cut pieces for a whole quilt ahead of time. A couple of blocks at a time and then wait and see which friends they (the blocks)want to be with! And the fabrics' ideas are always right! :o)
Beautiful quilt with a perfect border!
Louise in Sweden

Denise in PA said...

Julie, it's perfect! Great idea for the border. I like your 15 minutes quilting/15 minutes cleaning - getting rewarded for a bit of work sounds like it just might work!

Becky said...

LOL:) The more it goes, the more the fabric talks to me, too.

Your border is inspired. Listen to your fabric! Great looking quilt!

Anonymous said...

Sure enough another beauty from your hands and heart!

Deanna said...

OK--I am trying that 15-minute tip this weekend. I have a lot of quilting to do and a lot of housework. We'll see how it goes.

ps--Another GREAT quilt. Love the jewel box pattern.

Darcie said...

;D You're so cute! I'm in the company of greatness. Yes. Fabric does speak to me! And yarn, too.

Love the plaids and the border is just the ticket! Well done!

Happy Friday hugs to you, Jules!

Debi said...

This border is awesome, but so many little pieces...great job!

Kristie said...

I always set my timer on my microwave to do my chores, if not I don't get anything done.

That border is perfect for that quilt, love it!
Kristie

Helen in the UK said...

GREAT border!! Your timer system is working brilliantly for you if you put this together so fast :)

MARCIE said...

Your plaid quit is wonderful and the border is perfect! Very clever of you to create with what you had cut!

Puffins and purples!!

I was tempted by Puffins...a squirrelly breed!!  LOL!  This fabric was shared with me, and I have been loved these bright, candy corn colors...