This basket block has been on my design wall waiting for inspiration.
So I made a string border and don't like it at all.
Then I played around with another fabric. Still not loving it.
I do adore the border fabric, just not like this.
Then while in bed I had a thought.....
Maybe what I really don't like is that first border. So far I like it with the string border first.
I'd love your thoughts- please chime in!
The next few photos are from the last few days. We have been having a horrible inversion- heavy fog, freezing fog and no sunshine. 20 minutes away the sun is out and winter is wonderful- cold but sunny.
I had to make my way out of town the end of last week and it was terrific!
Then our inversion lifted! Always great for lifting my spirits too!
Christmas Eve we had family over and hung out outside at the firepit. It was really nice, especially with a hot buttered run!
And Christmas Day we woke up to a little snow! It was magical!
This horse was having fun running through the field and stopped to watch Elsa and I on our morning walk. Look at the deer in the background- how cool is that?
I hope your week is going great!
The string border without the first floral border works.
ReplyDeleteHot buttered rum! Sounds so good. What about a smaller red border before the string border? Such a fun basket.
ReplyDeleteLovely string basket--the first border fabric, which is pretty--kind of looks like a final border--
ReplyDeleteperhaps the string/coin border would be a better choice to be first....just my thoughts...;)))
hugs, Julierose
I would say the string border. How will you separate each block? Solid between the strings? Could then use the floral for final border. Is that floral anywhere else on the strings to help tie it in?
ReplyDeleteHow will you be separating out the string borders? Small solid? If the floral is also in the strings, could use that as the final border and it would help tie it in to the quilt.
ReplyDeleteIf you want the first border for sure I would add more of a solid piece and then the string one. It would frame the basket and the two string piecing (basket and outside border). Sure is pretty.
ReplyDeletenice to see a bit of sunshine someplace...dreary, foggy, rainy gloomy for too many days here...
ReplyDeletePerhaps narrow up that first border so it doesn't look like the width of a final border? Then your string border and finally that absolutely beautiful red swirly border? That's what I would do. Gonna love it!
ReplyDeleteMaybe you could try a narrow border around the basket before adding other borders? If you want to stay with red, there's a great dark red in the second photo, the one at the bottom in the center. (How could I possibly make suggestions for another's quilt when I struggle so much with making decisions for my own quilts?!) You'll know what's best, Lori.
ReplyDeleteI love the photo of the watchful horse with the deer in the background. What a beautiful area for a walk.
Love the string border first. Take out the red border.
ReplyDeleteI have some of that ornate border fabric. I found it hard to use. I finally came up with a project and then used the leftovers as a backing for a mini quilt. I like the basket in the last photo best. Inversions are so frustrating and sometimes depressing.
ReplyDeleteHow lucky to wake up to snow and clear skies.
I think you are on the right track about replacing that first border, even though it is a really pretty print. I think a very narrow solid red border would be nice to surround the basket, and then the scrappy border.
ReplyDeleteLike you, I like it with the string border first. I also agree with you that waking up to snow on Christmas morning was magical.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your pics. It looked like a good representation of the holidays. I think I prefer the scrappy border on the basket too.
ReplyDeleteYour block is lovely. I can't really make suggestions about borders, but I can't wait to see what you choose.
ReplyDeleteHurrah for some snow!
I like all the Basket versions, but esp do choose the solo piano key string border. Then I d add some prim sprigs of bright but dark green holly and bright red cardinal [wool?], some rusty bells for holly berries...some sparkly snow flakes embroidered on the background? More is more, don't just focus on the string-ness.
ReplyDeleteI was invited to a Christmas beach BBQ that was so fun. Sadly the host's firepit was already shrink wrapped and stored for winter. I had imagined us outside just like you did.
Do the horses' feet get cold?
lizzy
What a lovely block! I love the string border idea, but I'd want to break up the patterns just a little bit. How about taking the darkest of the beige in the background of your block and using a narrow border of that to frame the block. Then add your lovely scrap border. Can't wait to see what you decide - I'm sure whatever you choose will be perfect! Deb E
ReplyDeleteI do prefer the string border over the print, but I would be curious to see what a more solid reading fabric in a very narrow strip would do if you placed it between the basket block and the pieced, piano key border. Maybe give the eye a little resting place. Either way, it is a great basket block. Is this going to be a medallion quilt, or are you framing other similar blocks and combining them?
ReplyDeleteIf you weren't going to go any further, I'd vote for the original border. If you want to make it larger, then I'd definitely opt for the strippy border. I love the look of that with the strippy basket. Love that photo with the snow, pony, and deer but sitting around the fire with a hot buttered rum sounds fantastic!
ReplyDeleteI like the original border - on its own. With the additional border, not so much.
ReplyDelete