I do so LOVE colour! But I am wondering …. have I gone a bit too far in my latest project? Let me explain …..
A couple of years ago I completed my first-ever large quilting project – a cover for my bed using the “quilt as you go” technique. I so love this quilt, even though it’s full of mistakes, completing it was such an achievement for me and I have never tired of it. But … after so much time and quite a few washings, it’s beginning to look a little faded and so I thought I’d make another using the same technique. I’ve once again chosen quite a light-weight cotton batting as I’d like to layer both quilts on my bed. After much consideration I selected a pattern ……
Finding this lovely, and simple, design in the Moda Bakeshop. I have been busy working on my blocks in between working on Bustle & Sew projects. I’ve hung all the long strips up in my workroom to save them becoming crumpled as I search for the perfect combination for each block – a great use for my Forest Friends pegs …..
but today I have had a bit of a wobble! I’ve now completed around half the blocks I need, and so I laid a few out on my workroom floor to see how everything was coming along. And then I wondered ….
Do I have TOO MUCH colour in my quilt? Is it just too busy? Should I in fact join the blocks of 4 turning squares, then separate with 2.5″ white sashng strips? Help! I would very much welcome your thoughts as I’m in a bit of a dilemma here. But on a happier note, I’m definitely not in a dilemma about my yarn choices for my new winter mittens …
Lovely colours from Jamieson’s of Shetland, that I’m hoping will last for two projects – Peerie Flooers Mittens from Kate Davies ……
And lovely Fair Isle cuffs from Little Cotton Rabbits. I’ll let you know how I get on, but for the moment it’s back to the laptop – though the magazine is finished, I’m busy with the finishing touches for the new Bustle & Sew website … coming NEXT WEEK!!
Well I love the quilt. Certainly very bright, but I think it is great, just continue and finish it, I think you will be surprised how it will look.
Wow those mitten look lovely, I’m off to seek them out.
Julie xxxxxx
In my humble opinion, it is only too much color or busy or even too little color if you say it is….. No one but you (unless it is a gift) has to like it. 🙂 I mean you do have to compromise with or consider the opinion of family members who live with you, but ultimately, the only person who can say it is too much color is you. 🙂 I do not think that rooms need to look like Hyacinth Buckets house, or home décor magazines, especially when someone can say that they made the quilt, curtains, home décor or whatever themselves instead of bragging about which interior designer they wasted money on. 🙂 Just enjoy your color preferences, mother nature enjoys hers. 🙂
It looks wonderful Helen, you do have some solid block strips to break up the pattern but I love it! I have yet to make a quilt but would love to do so however first I have to buy a sewing machine and that will be a steep learning curve. Love your yarns too 🙂
Lynn x
Helen, take some of the blocks and place them on your current quilt. That way you can see if the white sashing suits you better than the current.
If that doesn’t suit you might want to think about the darkest of your darks being too dark. I don’t think there are too many colors. I think there is a tiny bit of a contrast jar between the darkest and the rest. That may be what is causing your second guessing. But that’s just my two cents! Others may have different and better ideas!
Nena, who loves the fair isle mittens!
Hi Helen. I love a bit of colour. Your new quilt seems perhaps to have more colour than the one your used to. The white will perhaps calm the too much colour feeling. I have used white in between blocks a few times myself and it does give a crisp impression. I love the new magazine and know already what to ask Father Christmas… Some more time please.
Oooh! Long discussion took place and we LOVE it! It is a wonderful RIOT of colour!
I think the white would allow for better appreciation of each square. Rather like a window frame allowing the loveliness of each square to shine.
I think it looks great as it is, but if it was me I’d add sashing. Probably no more that an inch wide, just as a resting place from all of the colours and prints. I think it might make the piecing pattern stand out a bit more too. I’m sure it will be wonderful whatever you decide to do.
Helen,
No, if you meant to have a jelly roll type quilt,then adding the white would make it too blocky (if blocky is a word). I love colour, the more the merrier.
I’m a great fan of busy, scrappy, colourful quilts (yes, I know my English teacher always told me that three adjectives was too many, but who cares now!). I think yours will be wonderfully cheerful during the gloomy winter months ahead. I’d just go for it.
Can never be too colourful! If going to stack alongside your other beautiful quilt I think I would leave out any white sashing strips on this one otherwise they might appear to be all part of the one……
Good morning. There’s no such thing as too much colour, especially during our horrible grey winters! Blessings from Norfolk.
It really depends on your taste. I would put on some sashing or something. Jane Brocket probably would not. So….up to you. Lovely fabrics!
I find that taking pictures of both ideas helps. You seem to get a better perspective by seeing it through a lens for some reason. I’m not sure how the pattern would lend itself to being ‘broken up’, but really you’re the one who has to live with it! I like the riot of colour – it might just be what you need on those gloomy winter days. You can always make the backing calm and just turn it down partway on the bed on the days it seems too much as well.
Love the pegs!
Jenn
Thank you so much everyone for all your responses – I think that having checked out Facebook too, there’s about a 50:50 split between adding white and not. I think I will finish the blocks and then lay it all out with and see if it is a bit busy or not. I am leaning towards white sashing (around 2 1/2″ wide) around each set of 4 turning blocks at the moment but this may change once I’ve laid it out. xx
I love all of the color. Go for it.
Can’t wait to see the mittens.
Ang
I love it as it is and wouldn’t use any white sashing but that’s just my opinion – it’s your quilt and you must do exactly what you like! I just think that white sashing will break it up too much.
Love,
Diana.
I think your quilt looks fine,you could add plain coloured borders around it to break the colour up as squaring with white may be a bit overwhelming. Otherwise it looks lovely,,oops must go granddaughter just woke from her nap & needs attending.
Love
Marion BP
I just saw your quilt and as far as I’m concerned, you can never have too much color. I think I’m a gypsy in disguise, even though I am actually very conservative, but I love color. My two favorite colors are magenta and turquoise together. I can even remember coloring as a child with these 2 colors. Evidently was born this way.
I love a bit of colour. these blocks look stunning if you wanted to break it up you could put some plain sashing in between the blocks in one of the colours in the blocks? 🌷I think it will look fantastic x
Thank you Jane xx