I laid out these basket blocks to see how they look, just to refresh my memory. Where was I going with these? What did I have in mind? I know they'll need to be rearranged....My notes are pretty sketchy. I remember I was originally going to have them around the sides and bottom of the quilt with some other blocks in the center, then decided on just baskets. Did I have a different configuration in mind than this, because there's one more basket that didn't fit this layout? Was I going to stagger them? I can't think how or why I would have thought that might work. (Reminder to self: keep better notes!)
The baskets will finish at 10" x 12". As they are now, the layout would measure 40" x 60" but with sashing and a border the measurements will increase.
I wonder if these baskets will drive someone nuts. There are at least three or four different basket shapes and the plaids are cut in several different directions: on the diagonal and on the straight grain with some plaids horizontal and some vertical.
My thought at this point is that these baskets need some space between them. Shall I sew two 1" borders around each using different fabrics, or the same fabrics/color, or....? I remember my Cheri Payne Baskets of Plenty (here and here) around which I sewed the same fabric. The result was a very static quilt which I thought looked awful. (I still have those borders to unstitch.) Anyway, I was thinking perhaps dark greens, different shades of browns, greys, maybe reds, maybe even blacks around these baskets. Maybe.
This is the basket I'm currently stitching. The colors in the photo are a little brighter than in the actual block.
When it's finished, there will be one more basket to applique and flowers to choose and stitch for two baskets. This is has been a slow quilt to stitch. I began collecting photos of zinnias in September, 2021, so it's been 3½ years! I guess I've had some quilts in progress longer than that, though.
There's no great hurry to decide because I have more applique to do for these, but I think it's good to start thinking in advance.
I'm linking this post to
> Finished (or not) Friday at Alycia Quilts
> Needle and Thread Thursday at My Quilt Infatuations
Thanks for hosting, ladies.
On a health note.
I've had one, long, ongoing headache since the middle of November when I first had vertigo. The vertigo is still gone, but the headache persists, with varying intensity. I went to a neurologist on Friday who diagnosed the headache as New Daily Persistent Headache. What a name! He thought that when they put tubes down my throat for surgery in October they may have hit a nerve or two. He offered two options for treatment, either of which he said should break the cycle: an oral, 2-week round of the steroid prednisone or an injection on either side of the base of my skull. Ouch! I chose the oral route, but there hasn't been much change yet. He said it may take a week or so. I hope it works because I'm mightily tired of having a constant headache.
I hope you're healthy and happy and doing well!
--Nancy.
The Baskets are SO adorable. Pls do not put dark green sashing tho. How about---no sashing? Keep it so light and cheery as is. Do borders. Maybe a small checkerboard [mini 9 Patch] in red/ bright, w self cream sashing. Your vision was to capture the light happy joy of summer's fun zinnias. PS I m seeing gingham used a lot this spring, so happy, so fun.
ReplyDeleteHeadache: I have been Rxed ongoing small dose prednisone for a few years now--to manage joint pain, but it has helped my migraines immensely. So be hopeful.
love
lizzy
Thanks for sharing your thoughts about sashing and borders, Lizzy. Without sashing, the quilt will be too small and I really think each of those baskets needs its own space to be seen. But, the idea of keeping it light is appealing. (Sometimes I don't think I explore enough options and, instead, go with my first impression.) And I'm not sure I was thinking of dark borders/sashing, but more in the medium range. When I get the other baskets finished I'll start to try out different fabrics and colors. (And I love how you often plead against green!)
DeleteHoping that med gets rid of those headaches for you--so difficult to even think with that going on. I agree with Lizzy about no sashing at all and perhaps that little border...gingham would be sweet with these pretty baskets...hugs, Julierose
ReplyDeleteThanks for your hope for my headache, Julierose, and for sharing your thoughts about sashing and border for the baskets. I'll wait till I have the other baskets finished before I play and decide what to do. So far I still have a headache, but the doctor said it could take a week or more, so I'm still hopeful.
DeleteI love your baskets and all their variations. And if you love them, don't worry about what anyone else thinks. My first thought for sashing was to use more of the plaids from the baskets - maybe a border around each basket that would look like a double sashing?
ReplyDeleteThank you, Katie. I don't usually worry or even think too much about what others think of the quilts I make, though I would if I were making a quilt FOR someone and they weren't happy with it.
DeleteI like your idea of plaid sashing with a border around each basket. It's an idea I'll play with when I finish appliqueing the last baskets.
Love your baskets! I pray the oral medication works. If you need to follow up with the injections I hope it is under guided imagery. Drink lots of water in the mean time and try to lie flat. Especially if this is due to loss of spinal fluid. Robin @ quiltyladyrratgmaildotcom 😊🌴
ReplyDelete.
Thank you, Robin.
DeleteThe oral medication hasn't yet worked but it's only been a week so I'm still hopeful. Thank you for the suggestions to be more comfortable. I never thought to ask the doctor about guided imagery for the injections. They just sounded so awful I didn't want to do it--and hope I don't have to!
These baskets are so "Darn Cute" all together. Just so sweet. I know it's taken you a long time but it's worth all the effort. I have no suggestions for sashing or borders because it doesn't matter what others think, it is your color and fabric choices that have made this quilt sing. I hope the oral medication makes all the difference for you.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Robin. I haven't been consistent in stitching these baskets, which is why it seems like it's taken a long time to finish them. It seems like I pull them out when I don't have other stitching to do.
DeleteYou're right, it doesn't matter what others think of the quilt, the colors, the borders, and I think maybe the questions I posed were things I'd been thinking over and wondering about.
The variety you have with all these baskets is what makes them unique and interesting to the eye. Whether to add sashings, cornerstones and borders depends partly on what final size you want, and more important what will my your heart sing when looking at the finished quilt! Go with your instincts and all will come out right.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments, Pat. I like the variety of plaids and orientations, too. I was just thinking that some folks might not (and that's okay--their own response).
DeleteLizzy suggested no sashings but the quilt will be too small so I really do need to add sashings and border -- or make more blocks, which I don't really want to do.
I so often second guess myself because I've made quilts and clothes that I started out thinking would be wonderful and, when finished, look awful, or mediocre at best. I can't really envision or imagine what a finished quilt will look like till it's finished. It's a little challenging.
I like the every-which-way orientation of the plaids -- such a charming design!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Nann. I like the varied orientation to the plaids. So glad someone else does, too.
DeleteThese are wonderful baskets. I love the shape, the flowers, everything. I would take different colors of a solid and audition each for sashing. At least 2" wide or maybe 2-1/2" . A soft color that would balance out all of the dark. Not sure what, but you'll know it when you see it. Good luck. San / Gypsy Quilter Designs
ReplyDeleteThank you for your sweet comment about the baskets. Also, thank you for your ideas about sashing width and colors. I'll remember this when I start to pull out fabrics to audition after the last baskets are appliqued.
DeleteWhat fun baskets! I like the zinnia flower addition!!--TerryK@OnGoingProjects
ReplyDeleteI think your baskets are delightful! The different orientations of the plaids make them fun and interesting. I'll enjoy seeing what you do next with these! Sending good thoughts that your meds will help the headache - that sounds frustrating.
ReplyDelete