Sunday, February 21, 2010

Decisions, Decisions

I received my package of RED fabric from the Fat Quarter Shop on Friday. "Ne touche pas," I told myself. I wanted to finish the Checkerboard quilt top before I got distracted by another project - in this case, finishing the Tisket a Tasket quilt top. And I didn't actually take the fabric out of the bag until yesterday, although I did gaze longingly at it through the plastic.

Yesterday was a day of no sewing - there was some cleaning, some grocery shopping and even a bit of fighting conversing going on, but no sewing. I cut a few sashing strips from the Red Checks fabric, but not much else.

Since I can't do any more on the Checkerboard quilt until I have it pin-basted, a job I have to do at school because I have no floor space that isn't hardwood here at home, I decided to work on A Tisket a Tasket this afternoon.

Screeeeeech... that's me coming to a halt after sewing on some sashing strips.

Why?

I just can't make up my mind what to use for the "posts". Have a look.

Here are the rows of blocks with the Red Checks sashing in between:


I set up a few scenarios to help me decide.

When I ordered my fabric, I intended to use the Red Paisley for the outer border and the posts. Now I'm not so sure... Although I like it, I'm worried that there isn't enough contrast between the sashing and the posts.



I could use this pink polka dot fabric. I have included a little bit of it in each of the blocks.



Or... there is the Love Notes Red Scroll. I like the look of this the best; the only problem is, if I use this I will have to buy another fabric for the inside border (which would mean another decision) because 1) I didn't buy enough to do both, and 2) the posts and the inside border are next to each other in places.



What to do? What to do?

If I didn't have to stop and make (or remake) decisions, I would have this done already... okay, maybe not, but there would be a better chance of it getting done soon.

15 comments:

Patty said...

OK Rachel this is my humble opinion ;I don't like the pink polka dot at all I think it pulls it down, the paisley blends in too much, I like the love scrolls the best.Have you thought about putting white in the post? I'd give it a try it might be enough contrast at the same time giving you enough of the scrolls for the border, or it may not be what you had in mind,just a thought. Your quilt looks lovely though love all the reds in it, can't wait to see the finished product.

Kaye said...

I personally like the paisley, to me it just pops out and sets it. No help so far we both have a different opinion

Red Geranium Cottage said...

I like the paisley in the blocks Rachel. I dont like the pink at all either. It's gotta be red. So there you have my wonderful opinion. lol You asked.

Barb said...

I like the first best.....I need to see what everyone else says first...I always go in the other directions...so I am going to look and oh shewee...I am okay...not the odd man out this time.

Pat said...

I'd go with white for the posts for a good contrast with the sashings....and I think it would look fine with the red scroll fabric as a border near the white posts.

j said...

Can I vote more than once?
PAISLEY, paisley, paisley.

Tangos Treasures said...

I like the paisley too!
Pink not so much! I think the last one takes your eye there first instead of your beautiful blocks!

Thimbleanna said...

Do you HAVE to have a lot of contrast in the posts? Can you just have those blocks look like they're floating on a red background? With those cute blocks, I don't think you can go wrong with any option -- the eye will be going to the blocks!

Purple Quilter Queen said...

You could use them all! I really like the scrolly one that you pictured last that has the white background. Cute! Jenn

What Comes Next? said...

I like the scrolls and the paisley - two very different looks, but I'd be inclined to keep with your original thought and use the paisley as the post and outer border with the scrolls you're inner border. Like Thimbleanna, I don't think you want too much contrast in the posts, and like Tango... you don't want to distract from your gorgeous blocks.
(drawback - you don't get to go shopping again!)

Patty said...

What about a darker color like a green or black that's already in the quilt

PunkiePie (Jen) said...

I agree with everyone. No pink. But I like Anna's thinking the best.

Sara said...

I like them all - so, I am no use. That is always a big thing to me too...and I have such a time making decisions.

Unknown said...

I like how the first combination looks the best! melinda

Dogwood said...

Paisley. Definitely the paisley. In my little opinion, it looks the best.