Wednesday, September 16, 2015

A or B? B or C?

If you've been to an optometrist to be fitted for glasses you probably remember that he moves a piece of equipment in front of your face then slides lenses before your eyes and asks you, "Can you see better with A..." -- and then he changes the lens -- "or B?"  Then, "B or C?"  That's almost what I've been doing with these quilt blocks but for sashing width, color, and cornerstones.  A or B?  B or C? 

I first thought this was the best option -- before I tried other colors.  The blocks pop forward from the dark sashing.  I only have a photo with cornerstones for this color.

Then I tried this blue and decided it was better than the brown.  Scrappy blues in a close color range, about four or five of them if I don't have enough of any one.  They have the sample  cornerstones in this photo.  (There are only a few plaids among all 40+ blocks so it's surprising that six are grouped together in this photo.)

Here I removed the cornerstones and placed blocks across the sashing to connect the strips coming out from the white stars. 

And with a light background.
I quickly decided against a light background when I first laid these blocks against it -- until I saw these photos.  Hmmm.  Above is without sample cornerstones, below is with.

And again, without sashing.  (Sorry for the color change.  Different lighting.  The true colors are about halfway between both photos.)

A or B?  B or C?  I enjoy this kind of "play" but sometimes I wish I made decisions more quickly.  I often think my eyes and attention are attuned to detail which keeps me from seeing the whole picture (er, quilt) until it's too late to make changes.  I see things now that I would have done differently if I'd really been able to see the finished quilt in my mind's eye.  This kind of quilt play gives me an opportunity to make a similar new quilt and try out the other ideas.

I'm linking this post to the blogs below and thank the ladies for hosting.
Design Wall Monday - September 14, 2015 at Patchwork Times
WOW:  Magnolia in Bloom at Esther's Blog
WIP Wednesday:  Still Scraptastic at Freshly Pieced
Oh Scrap! at Quilting is More Fun Than Housework
Let's Bee Social #90 at Sew Fresh Quilts

Best wishes to you.
 --Nancy.
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9 comments:

  1. First of all, I want to say... Your blocks are beautiful! I like the blue sashing. With the cornerstones in the corners. Best!

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  2. I agree with Lorna. Blue sashing with cornerstones only in corners. That combo really seems to make your wonderful blocks pop!

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  3. All layouts look great but my favorites are the blue and the one with no sashing....I think. :)

    Thanks for sharing with Oh Scrap!

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  4. Very nice! They all look fantastic but I'm liking the darker sashing best...either blue or brown. I've experienced that indoor pics...and some of my outdoor pics don't show the color as well as I'd like. In my case...it's definitely the photographer. ;) I'm visiting from Let's Bee Social. Feel free to visit my blog anytime.

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  5. It's funny how you 'know' something is right when you see it isn't it? But you have to see it first! I like the darker sashing with the cornerstones best - blue or brown.

    ukcitycrafter@live.co.uk

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  6. I too agree with Lorna. The dark sashing is nice too but the blue sashing combo has that something extra to it. Your blocks are really nice and it has been interesting to see your series of photos and how the options change the look of the quilt. The sash-less blocks look so much busier whereas the blocks with sashing are more calm.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you for weighing in on the color, Colleen. I agree about calm vs. busy. The blocks just need a little breathing room.

      I've been keeping photos of the progress of these blocks from the beginning. I may post the series one of these days. It's interesting to see the ways I played.

      Thanks again.

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  7. I think I'd go for the blue sashing... I like the little strips linking the strips in the stars too. I have a real hard time making decisions about borders - how many? How wide? Patterned or plain? On and on I deliberate and wonder how some bloggers manage to finish several quilts a week?

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  8. I prefer either the dark sashing or no sashing. What size quilt do you want it to be? That can help you decide, since the sashing will make for a bigger finished quilt and that may or may not be a good thing. Either way, your blocks are lovely and it will be a beautiful finished quilt!

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I appreciate your comments and look forward to reading what you have to say. Thanks for stopping by.

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