Border Thoughts

To use the world well, to be able to stop wasting it and our time in it, we need to relearn our being in it.

~Ursula Le Guin

Quilting

Ocean Waves V has been languishing for months while I consider a border. Unless something is added to the block centers {such as appliqué or a pieced star} the pattern only seems to differ in the borders and the background color. Previously I've made dark blue, red, and white backgrounds but each border is different.

The first was my favorite border because the waves seem to run up onto the shoreline. I seriously considered reprising it but hadn't enough triangles left. {Such a happy event! I thought they'd never end.}

Ocean Waves 1

The second is the softest but has no border at all; however, it is the most heavily quilted. 

Ocean Waves 2, no border

Although the third Ocean Waves seems to have no border, I appliquéd flowers in half of the outside red triangles. This is also the only one with printed fabric in the centers. 

Ocean Waves 3 with appliqued border

Because I wanted a rectangular quilt {and also to use up more triangles} sawtooth edges were added to the top and bottom of this Ocean Waves.

Ocean Waves IV

So what can I do here? I want to use fabric in the stash and/or leftover blocks.  One idea was the remaining four Shadow Stars in the corners with more of the stripe used in BB1 stems. Two problems: the strip doesn’t match the feel of the waves and the Star is 15” wide which will make the quilt way too large.

I tried to scoot it in by trimming the corners on the diagonal but they were still too large. 

A second thought was Ohio Stars in the corners using the absolute last of the triangles.  But it doesn't seem to relate well to the center. 

Finally I simply added three borders: white, blue micro stripe, and more white. My friend, Peg, will quilt it so this gives her lots of room to play. 

Now it's off to my friend, Pat, for long-arm quilting. This one is much too large for me to handle anymore.

Reading

Dr. Rundell's biography of John Donne is interesting and comprehensive. I studied several of his poems and essays in school but didn't know anything else about him. I'm glad I read it. 

Enjoy the day,  Ann

SING Quilt

The sun will rise and set regardless. What we choose to do with the light while it's here is up to us.

~Alexandra Elle

Quilting

Tucked in a bag of scraps are several Coin sets in a variety of colors. I actually remember making these a couple of years ago. Now’s the time to use them in some smaller quilts. First up are the red and white leftovers from the Arkansas series and someone I know could use this.

SING quilt

The red and white look festive; the black and white binding reminds me of piano keys. Once I remembered it was in my stash, the choices below just couldn’t cut the mustard. The red and white stripe looks pink at a distance and the red blends into the background. 

The back is a lovely floral widened with {almost} the last of the red Coins.

Back of SING quilt

It’s almost ready to show to my friend. We’ll see what he thinks. 

Quilt Specifics

Size: 45” x 45”

Design: Coin or String quilt

Batting: Mountain Mist Cream Rose Cotton 

Thread: white Superior Masterpiece cotton

Quilting: spiral with walking foot

Approximate yardage: 5.5 yds

Reading

 After reading a review of Impossible Creatures I pre-ordered the book for my oldest grandchildren and another for myself.  Written for middle schoolers up, it’s a delightful read for adults, too. I’m already anticipating the sequel.

 

While visiting his grandfather Christopher discovers he guards the portal between earth and the Archipelago, the place where all magical creatures live as well as the source of Glimourie. Christopher joins forces with Mal, a girl from the Archipelago, in a desperate race to save them - and earth - from extinction. 

Enjoy the day, Ann