Thursday, March 12, 2009

More Wonky Blocks

These are some more wonky blocks I am making for the Reading in Bed variation quilt.these I haven't trimmed yet...And now a confession. I goofed. I need your help to figure out what to do. I bought fabric for the sashing of these blocks, and cut about a yard of it before I realized I was cutting the strips too narrow. Here are the blocks with the narrow strips:And here are the blocks the way I originally envisioned them.Two Questions:

1. Can you tell the difference?

2. If you can, which do you prefer?

Thank you very much!



**update, 12:15 PM
Here's my take on it. Both would work.

The narrower sashing shows off the blocks better. The blocks "pop". Indeed, they move forward visually. The blocks become the focus, the sashing is secondary. It would make for a "tighter" composition.

The wider sashing pushes the blocks apart physically, but also visually, and flattens the "depth of field" and makes the design more 2-Dimensional, more "graphic" or "abstract", if you will.

Even with the wild colors, the wonkiness and the deliberate choice of the unconventional sashing fabric, the narrower option makes the quilt very slightly more "traditional" in feeling, and the wider one, more "contemporary".

Who would have thought 1/2" could make such a difference?

I think I have made up my mind.

21 comments:

Bebesboutique said...

At first glance I could not really tell the difference. Then I looked again. I think that the first is better. The narrower sashing shows your blocks better. With the wider sashing the blocks have to compete with the sashing print.
I really like makeing blocks like that. The color combos are so fun and use up some scraps is fun.

Jen said...

I actually like the narrower sashing better. I think it brings out the blocks more and looks more like sashing whereas the larger sashing looks more like a different component of the quilt. They both work, but the larger one doesn't have that sashing feel to me because it's more prominant than the other one.

Tonya Ricucci said...

I prefer the second option - these are such busy fabrics and blocks so the wider sashing gives them room to breathe. but it will look really fun whichever way you go!

Rose P in PV said...

The narrower sashing lets your color blocks show up better. Either way looks good though. Whatever makes you happy is what counts though.

Anonymous said...

I like the narrower better. The blocks are overwhelmed by the sashing with the wider strips.

Anonymous said...

I like the narrower better. the color of the blocks stand out more and don't get lost because of the competing sashing.

Anonymous said...

You could try and use both. Since you have some of the narrow sashing already cut - piece the center of the quilt with the narrow sashing. Then cut the wider sashing for the outer blocks/rows. It will take a little math to figure an "inner border with posts" using the sashing fabric around the center, but that should be easy enough. It could be visually interesting.

Trisha said...

I like the narrower sashing better (the mistake one). I think it makes the colored squares stand out more. Love, love, love the black and white pick for the sashing, BTW.

~Michelle~ said...

I like the narrow strips - the colors pop out more. But really, I like how the strip is looped in the pictures, because that looks like those squares could be made into a cute bag. ;)

Cherie in St Louis said...

I can tell a difference and I like the wider sashing with the larger conerstones as it seems more free flowing.....lovely quilt!

Robin Quilts, etc. said...

I'm not sure it makes much of a difference, it doesn't appear to be that obvious. My take on it is, you just have to make it work. If you've already cut the sashing fabric, use it. It will look wonderful.

Clare said...

On first glance I preferred the first one. On looking again I'm not too sure. I'm opting for whatever takes your fancy.

Quiltdivajulie said...

Yes, I can tell a difference.

Much prefer the wider sashing.

Perhaps you could run the wider strips vertically and the skinnier ones horizontally? That would require "rectangular" cornerstones... maybe a test photo?

Carrie P. said...

I really can't tell the difference either.

Anonymous said...

I prefer the wider strips. The other looked great too, but it looks to me like the wider strips draws more focus to the blocks. Clearly, everyone has a different opinion on the subject, so I would say, you have another stunner, regardless!

Helen said...

I prefer the second option, the wider strips.

But I have a question...

WHICH WAY ARE YOU GOING TO DO IT???!

I can't wait to find out.

I really like your wonky blocks. I need to whip some up one of these days.

Laurie Ann said...

I can't tell the difference.

Deb C. said...

I really like the narrower strips in the first photo. The wide strips are dizzy to look at and confuse the ensemble.

ilovebabyquilts said...

I can totally tell, and I prefer the wider. The narrower seems too busy to me with everything competing, while the wider sets the blocks off on their own and gives them space to be themselves.

JKW said...

I love the second one, I can breathe, the first one is . . .the only word that comes to mind. . .claustrophobic. . .too tight.

Thanks for asking opinions, it's always cute to see why other people think what they do.
God Bless.
Jan

Jen aka Quiltah said...

The sashing fabric is fabulous! It will look awesome with whatever width you decide.