Thursday, October 23, 2014

Well, looks like I have a falltime quilt!

 Well, hmmmmmmm...I really have been working on this quilt quite steadily, trying to get this "old lady UFO" to the flimsy stage.  I went to the quilt shop to pick a border, and the ladies chose this.  Really, they did...I had very little to do with it.  I completed all the applique this morning, and sewed the border on this afternoon.
 I have a decidedly brown quilt now.  Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm
The sprightliness and lightness is all gone.  It is BROWN!!!!!  So...is that OK?  HELP!!!  Is it OK to have a brown quilt??  Or should I do reconstructive surgery?



Snort!!  I act like this is the most important thing in the world, which of course it is not...




Have a wonderful day, everyone!!!

Julie

45 comments:

Cherie in St Louis said...

If I were you, I'd let the top sit where you will see it and if, after a couple of weeks, you aren't liking the brown border, take it off and find something else you like better. I do like it but totally see that it's not light and airy. Perhaps something in green??

Lesley said...

Julie, the brown works very well in toning down the brightness....but if you want a fresh and bright quilt, then a change to a border in a brighter colour would definitely give it a different look. I think it really depends on the overall look you want. You have done such a beautiful job with those flying geese and applique!

tpott said...

I love it just the way it is. If you're not happy with it, change it or wait a few days and look at it again. You might change your mind and like it also. I need to make a quilt like this, it's beautiful. What size is it and what method did you use for the flying geese? (If you don't mind me asking?) ;-> Good luck with your decision. ;-> Toni Anne

Quilter Kathy said...

You have a beautiful brown quilt... love it!
But maybe the brown border would like a vine of beautiful leaves on it too!??

Vicki W said...

I think it's a beautiful autumn quilt and would be lovely with some gold vines quilted in the border.

Karen said...

I think it depends on the result you want. If you want fall, you have it. If you want spring or summer, maybe a blue or green border. Could be a print that picks up some of you brighter colors on the inner part of the quilt. I like it the way it is but I am into browns, rust, and darker colors. Let it sit a bit and look at it. then make a decision.

Nancy said...

Julie, what color fabric could you imagine on the border? Red, green, blue...?

Brown is one of my favorite colors and I think it looks wonderful but I don't think it looks like "you."

You've quilted longer that I have and I know you know this but I would encourage you choose what you'd like, not what the ladies at the quilt store think look good. They may see the quilt once again but you'll see it over and over again as you work on it. Choose a fabric YOU love.

Jane said...

It would really be Deconstructive surgery, wouldn't it? I like it, but I think it would be pretty with just about any color for the border.

Chantal said...

Congrats! You have a flimsy! Yes it is a brown quilt. Don't like brown? :{ In the pictures it looks good but I don't know what it looks for real so ... the pictures look good! Maybe a vine of leaves could hide some of the brown, or maybe a new border? After all the work you have put into this quilt, I wish it would sing for you as it does on the pictures for us. Or you could sleep on it for a few nights. I mean with the idea not the quilt lol.

Terry said...

I think it looks great the way it is. The brown goes with the orange and shows off the rest of the fabrics perfectly. :0)

Lois Arnold said...

I like it and it is flying geese after all. They fly South in the Fall. But, it is your quilt, so if you don't like the brown, change it even if all the rest of us say we like it!

Linda O said...

I love it and think that border looks great, but you are the one that has to be happy with it! Maybe sit on it for a day or two and see how you feel? Funny how our mind's eye knows what we want.

Kyle said...

You've recieved some good advice and I'd recommend the "let it sit for awhile" but I could see where a brighter more modern fabric would have an entirely different look. Not right or wrong, but you'll never love it, if the brown isn't your thing.

Sandi said...

While you could leave it you should also listen to your heart and y473our gut. Do not settle for a quilt that has lost its sparkle and it's life. Wait yes but while you wait put a light cream piece of fabric on top of one of the brown borders. Imagine how it could quilt up. Then decide. It could be a real gem but what matters is how you feel about it.

paulette said...

MAGNIFICENT!!

Missy Shay said...

I like it, maybe you can a bright binding to it to make it brighter?

Janet O. said...

Any border would look good on this pretty quilt, Julie. Fall colors are my very favorite and brown is something I use often. That said, as you worked on this quilt I never imagined it as a Fall quilt. I imagined a border that would add to the sparkle of this beauty, not tone it down. So what do you want from this quilt? Make the borders fit what you want it to be! You have loved this so much. Do you still love it as much with the brown border. Make it sing to you! : )

Sarah said...

I actually think I would go with something different. The leaves are so colorful and so whimsical that a color with more of that personality may fit better. I also think a different color would make that smaller orange border pop! You could always use the brown in stripes down the back. sarah@forrussia.org

Loris said...

I'm partial to anything that reminds me of fall :-) I think it's gorgeous! Lovely work!

gillybean said...

Sorry, not a big fan of the border. I would do something else to brighten it a bit, looks quite dark and dull

Leeanne said...

OK???? It's perfect!!

nestki said...

You know, I would have picked a bright color to match the brights in the quilt, but now that I see this border, which I first read as gold or mustard, I can understand the "value" of a somber neutral border to make the brights pop. The quilt store people picked something that wouldn't compete with all the work you did, but would coordinate and set it off. That said, maybe it isn't the right neutral border for you, or perhaps you would be happier if it had a detail to jazz it up. However, I like it.

I rejoice that your two nurse colleagues are safe from ebola now.

antique quilter said...

It looks great, I happen to like brown, how about a bright cheery cheddar print for the binding? great quilting in the border with cheddar thread????
or like others said an appliquéd vine and leaves in the border.
its your quilt do what you think is best….
Kathie

Flickenstichlerin said...

Hello Julie,
the brown does bring out the colors of the quilt even more, but at the moment I could not make a decision, would have to sleep over it.
Great applique parts, it will be a beautiful quilt.
Greetings,
Sylvia

Anonymous said...

Personally...I love it!!!

Me and My Stitches said...

Nothing at all wrong with a brown quilt. Unless you don't WANT a brown quilt - lol!! Why don't you send it to me and I will take a closer look and get back to you! :)

Lane said...

I like to have quilts around that reflect the season. So, this would be perfect as a fall quilt. I heard once that if you want to add a color that won't compete with the rest of your top, add brown. Good luck choosing. Lane

The Calico Cat said...

It is perfectly ok to have a brown quilt. (I'm not sure what else you could have chosen - green?)

Heartsdesire said...

I love it just the way it is. There's nothing wrong with a brown quilt, I'm making one myself right now.

Sue SA said...

Seriously I have a collection of brown fabric that I am keen to know how to get rid of - but using them as a border on a spring quilt is not on....get out the unpicker and go to town!

Sandi said...

Ultimately the decision is yours Julie but live with it for a couple of days and see.

One thought that came to me would be do do on opposing corners a bit of leaf and vine applique like a L and inverts L. Not around the entire perimeter just a taste and maybe a sunflower or chrysanthemum flower at the junction of the vines.

Be happy with what you do!

Quiltdivajulie said...

My call would have been green(s) for the borders . . . I'd let this sit out for a bit, draped over a chair in a casual way and see how you get along with it as the light changes throughout the day.

You are right that the brown took away the light and airy feel.

Tspoon said...

Does this mean you will all applique to the border?

Anonymous said...

I LOVE this quilt! You can send it to me. I think it's perfect!

Finn said...

Hey Julie, long time no see...sorry about that. Would you believe I got lost on the way to here from there? Well, that's my story and I'm sticking to it.
I'm off in a completely new community, and working hard on getting adapted to it, and all that is totally unfamiliar.
Your quilts and projects look wonderful! Love this one today, look at you go!!! Who knew?? Ah yes, the signs were there that it was fertile ground.
Love seeing all your progress, trying to make a little myself. Sending hugs, Finnie XXX

Lori said...

I like it, but it is your quilt so you should do what you like!
PS, I don't like every quilt I make and that's okay too.

Unknown said...

I love it just the way it is! The geese are gathering to fly south for the winter, perfect for fall colors in your quilt.

KaHolly said...

Your dilemma is probably why I don't often put borders on my quilts!! I agree with most. Just gaze upon it for a little while, then decide what YOU think is best for YOU!!

Jeanne said...

I think your quilt is gorgeous! I don't see a brown quilt. I see the border as framing a beautiful center of color. I would leave it.

The Civil War Quilter said...

I also like the brown border, but then someone suggested green. I can see a green border being a great choice. What feeling are you going for, cheery, springy (green) or cozy, snuggly (brown)?

Angie said...

It is perfect, Julie girl, a PERFECT Autumn quilt---Brown is actually quite awesome. :)

audrey said...

Don't you just love how many options you have now that you've sewn the border on? lol I think it looks fabulous, but somehow I think it would look that way with any number of colors. The inside is definitely the heart of the quilt.:)

Nann said...

I think the brown looks fine -- it goes well with the gold sashing. BUT if YOU don't like the brown, and if YOU will forever look at that quilt and be disappointed -- then get new border fabric! If you want the shop personnel to choose for you, go to a different shop. Or tell them you want to highlight the brights. [IMO a cheerful multicolor print would be great.]

LesQuilts said...

Hi! I think you should pick your favourite colour for the border, in a medium tone. This brown does drag all those springy colours down, but I admire all the work you did!
If it for you, you should make it in the colours you will always be happy with!
Take care, Leslie

Chookyblue...... said...

my family refer to some of my quilts as my "brown" faze......
If your not sure change it now as I have decided if your not happy with it that will remain forever.......but if your happy with it go for it.......maybe you have my "brown" faze......lol

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