Tuesday, November 6, 2018

Sashing the Square Deal

Once the center {minus one block that kept falling down} was arranged, I started laying out a border. The darker border seemed to make more contrast but a single round lacks weight. A second round on the right creates better proportions.

Starting a border around the Square Deal block

With that start in hand, it was time to think about the sashing and inner border. The inner and outer blocks are different sizes. About six inches is required to get them to fit together. Black was too dark {forgot to photograph}. I next tried some narrow strips of Chinese Coins. {Surely you didn't think the last baby quilt used up all those skinnies.} Now there's no contrast; this is not the solution. Finally I realized the white design wall was trying to tell me something. I cut some mermaids printed on white. All the strips are the same width {and a bit larger than necessary} while I consider whether they should be the same or different widths.

Testing sashing and border fabrics

Making borders and sashing of the same fabric doesn't thrill me either so a different white print was cut. It has blue microdots although it reads white here. After trying it as a border, I decided it looks better as the sashing between the four quarters of this block.

Then I added Crossroads blocks on three sides.

Laying out sashing and borders on the Square Deal

The quilt must be repositioned on the design wall to finish the fourth side.

In the meanwhile, my family and I attended the State Fair of Texas. We went every year while my children were growing so it was fun to introduce a new generation to the Fair. Events have changed. We still enjoy the trained animals, the milking contests, and the beautiful jewel-like jelly competition. We watched pig races and performing rescue animals.

Pig races at the State Fair of Texas
 
The murals dating from the Great Depression were restored a few years ago - ready for a new generation to enjoy.

Mural from the
Hall of Varied Industries,
State Fair of Texas

These umbrellas shading a lunch site are new. Colorful day and night!

Umbrellas shade a lunch area
at the State Fair of Texas

VOTE! It's election day in the US. I wonder how different our lives would be if everyone was required to vote like Australians. Much more emphasis on the center; much less from the fringes. It sounds good to me.

Enjoy the day, Ann

26 comments:

LA Paylor said...

those umbrellas are so clever and pretty!

Ann said...

They remind me of Up. I wonder how well and how long they'd last in my backyard. I'd love it.

Julierose said...

Loving the mermaids and Crossroads blocks--I think this will be a super quilt--looking forward to seeing it come together...hugs, Julierose

Quiltdivajulie said...

Love the umbrellas -- and yes, we did vote early (all of us except the grandson who is only two).

Robin said...

I like the light sashing. It lets those center squares shine like they should.

Nann said...

I kind of like the mermaid fabric for inner and outer, providing busy-ness (since the blocks and border blocks are busy) but the needed change in value (light) to make the center blocks stand out....Glad you enjoyed the fair. DH and I voted at 8:30 a.m.

Ann said...

Thanks, Julie. The mermaids look so much better now that they are corralled into the correct border. I'm excited about it.

Ann said...

Wouldn't they be great in a backyard? Although they'd probably need to be replaced more frequently than I want to replace them. Haha. My grandchildren went to the polls to watch their parents vote. Good practice.

Ann said...

I agree, Robin. Just sorry it took me so long to figure out white was the best sashing.

Ann said...

The mermaids were such a cute fabric. I bought it a while ago but waited for the perfect place to use it. This is it. That light was definitely needed. I'm so glad you voted, too.

QuiltGranma said...

That quilt is going to be gorgeous!

Kaja said...

I too can try all sorts of alternatives while missing what is right in front of my face, but I like your light sashing now that it's there. I've been up half the night listening to your election results coming in - it does look like you had a good turn-out this time.

KaHolly said...

This quilt is going to be absolutely stunning! Oh, I used to love going to the State Fair of Texas when I lived in N. Tx. Your post conjures up so many fond memories.

audrey said...

Yes to the light sashing! Funny how the design wall color sometimes inserts itself into our quilts! Love how the intersection at the middle makes the monkey wrench block.

Preeti said...

The square deal is berry juicy!!! I am sure Teddy Roosevelt would be proud. I am looking forward to the finished quilt and I am sure you will do a terrific job.

Ann said...

Thanks for writing.

Ann said...

White is appearing in more of my quilts lately but I like the openness it adds.
Reading about Australian laws that require everyone to vote and the difference that makes in campaigns struck me seriously. Most people are center but not too motivated. If everyone voted we could have policies that reflect that, perhaps get more done without all the grandstanding that occurs now.

Ann said...

Thanks, Karen. I remember getting a Fair Day when I was in school. Always fun.

Janie said...

Exciting progress, Ann.
State fairs are so fun, lots of good memories there!

Ann said...

The background becomes part of the design whether I want it or not. Fortunately I didn't make the design wall grey. I like white more these days in quilts, too.
Glad you noticed the Monkey Wrench. It connects the quadrants better than solid sashing.

Ann said...

Haha. Teddy is probably rolling in his grave. I like finding historic names for designs we "thought" we're original. Nothing new but I love the colors. Thanks, Preeti.

Ann said...

Thanks, Janie. Taking the next generation reinvigorates me for the Fair. Fin to see it through a cbild's eyes.

Linda @ kokaquilts said...

This is coming along well, I like the lighter sashing too! And those umbrellas are a wonderful idea!

Mystic Quilter said...

Oh yes, the light sashing is perfect. Goes without saying that I love that you've used the crossroad blocks for the border. Super!

Ann said...

Thanks, Linda. The umbrellas were so fun floating in the air.

Ann said...

Finding a good use for them is a delight. I was going to use them as an entire quilt top but like them so much more as a border here. White fabric makes the best sashing here.