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Enjoy your stay under the variable skies of Eastern Washington and watch the seasons change, from planting to harvest here on the farm...be sure to wrap up in a quilt during the winter, it's cold!!

Wednesday, August 3, 2016

Need Advice on Quilt

Boy, how life can change!  I am now living in Reno 3 weeks a month to care for my 95 year old father.  He still drives and his mind is still there, but his body is betraying him, so I cook and pick up the slack.  But that means I'm away from my longarm most of the time!  I miss it but I did design and make a new quilt I need your input on, please!!!

This is a quilt for my great-nephew who is four and LOVES chickens (they live on a farm also and so they have lots of chickens).  I found a chicken panel and that determined the colors I used.  There was no written plan, I just made blocks that remind me of "farm" - log cabin and rail fence - and pinwheels just because they are fun!  The chickens were a weird size - 8x9 - so I did a wonky border on them to get everything the same size.  Since I am quilt-math illiterate, there was a bit of a challenge with the pinwheels, but I love the way they turned out!
 Ohhh....how do you like the border??  I hate plain borders and a few years ago I bought the Double Diamond Ruler and decided this was the perfect quilt to try it out on.
So now for the advice...do you think I should leave the white inner border alone or should I put large red rickrack on it like this:
I'm not sure if it is good as-is, needs a little more or if the rickrack is too much!

For the label, I did a "lasagne" quilt technique of sewing my scraps together in a long strip, alternating the white with the colors.  When I put it together, I came up with the most wonderful way to use my scraps up (I told you I was quilt-math illiterate) and have a label all ready to embroider all the info on the white parts:
I have not totally deserted my blog, but with only piecing to show, it is going slowly!!  I hope your summer isn't as hot as it has been here in Reno - over 100 every day last week - and the dry lightning has sparked many fires (lots of smoke in the valley here). 

Until I piece again!!




10 comments:

Susie said...

I love this quilt and its patriotic colours. I think the rick rack looks good as it pulls the main piece in with the border. Your Great Nephew will love it and if he doesn't I'll have it!!!!!!! So sorry about the heat, we are now back to rain and cooler temperatures and it will be even cooler in Scotland on our vacation but that's okay as DH hates the heat. Hugs, Susie & Treacle xx

leannslessons said...

I like it without the rickrack - and I like your pieced border A LOT. The rickrack is a distraction. In my never to be humble opinion. Good luck with staying with your dad, you won't have him forever and I don't think you'll regret devoting that time to him. Hugs to you today, LeAnn

Carli The Quilter said...

Beautiful quilt! I"d ignore the rick rack and quilt it as is.

Amy, a redeemed sheep said...

I like the plain white border, since you asked! =) I love the pieced border. It looks great!

Sandy O said...

I love your beautiful Chicken Quilt and how you put the piecing on the border. I would not put rick rack on the white border, like it just the way you have it now. Your Great Nephew is one lucky boy. Prayers for your dad and for you too. It is nice that you are able to help him. Hugs for you and your dad too. Sandy O

Kevin the Quilter said...

You are such a good daughter Susan! I LOVE the quilt........and you know I LOVE chickens! Personally, for a boy, I don't think you need to do the ric-rac. Perhaps you could do some of your amazeballs quilting on the white border?

Anonymous said...

I like the rickrack, but it seems too big. Is there a smaller size down from that? Something that would put red in the middle of that border on a par with the size of the white in the other strips? It's a great quilt and he's going to love it either way you go. I didn't realize you were going back and forth so much. I guess it's best to leave him where he's comfortable and knows things.

Anonymous said...

this job is so lovely
Makanan Sehat Penderita Epilepsi

June D said...

Nice quilt! Can you decide about the rick rack after you have quilted it, and just add in if the quilting isn't enough? Can't remember how I got to your blog, but will be back!

I loved my extra time with my mom, I know it meant a lot to her too. Wonderful that your dad can still see and drive!

Best wishes,
June

Anonymous said...

I don't think you should make any changes in this quilt work. Your work is simple and beautiful and has a quality I admire. It looks beautiful.