Yesterday I decided to pull out these basket blocks that I have had for quite a while to THINK about putting this quilt together. The receipt in the bag with the pattern, my finished blocks, and fabrics says November 2008. Don't ya think it's time???
This is a quilt pattern by Lori Smith, From My Heart to Your Hands, called Four Seasons: Spring Blooms. The blocks are 7 1/2" x 7 1/2" finished.
I saw it at my LQS and had to make it. Here is the photo of the original quilt from the front of the pattern.
First I started playing around with the layout of my blocks. Hmmm.. what would they look like without that green sashing? And with the little baskets around the sides, rather than in the middle? Hmmmm. I kind of like the busy-ness of this.
Then I cut some sashing strips and put them up on my design wall with the little baskets, like the original pattern. Hmmmm. Very soothing.
I have only made 4 of those green leaf appliques for the corners (see pattern photo) and probably will not use them after all.
What if I added some green setting triangles with the little baskets? Of course now I would have to make more little baskets. :-) Green would also be used in the corners.
Seems that I have created a design dilemma for myself... What do you think? I always appreciate feedback from my blog friends!
I have continued to quilt the red and white Oak and Reel quilt. I am really loving hand quilting at night while watching TV.
Just a quarter inch around my design and in the triangles. Next decision will be how to quilt the borders.
Decisions, decisions, decisions.. I love it!
Happy Stitching,
Deb
Linking up at Kathy's Quilts on Sunday Slow Stitching.
I like it best without the sashing. With the sashing seems to overwhelm and take away from the basket blocks and they lose their punch and focus. The setting triangles with the little baskets are great.
ReplyDeleteOh your quilting on the Oak Reel is lovely. I like the baskets both ways though it looks more delicate without the sashing....there's more focus on the pretty applique.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely the setting on the right. (I just made more work for you....LOL)
ReplyDeleteI love Lori Smith's patterns. I don't have this one, but I need to finish the projects I have form her first before I get anymore. Your baskets are lovely, I can't decide which way is the nicest. The Oak Reel quilt is lovely. The HST's look so elegant around the blocks. Blessings, Gretchen
ReplyDeleteI definitely like the one with the little baskets as part of the setting triangles and also the green as triangles along with that luscious large print as the border. Your red and white quilt is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteHi, Deb! These baskets are gorgeous! I like the use of the small baskets grouped together without the sashing. Try using the same lighter background fabric used in the basket blocks for the set-in triangles. I think that this will make all the baskets "float" and not take away from the beautiful border print. I'd love to see that layout. Whatever you decide will be wonderful, as you always seem to figure out the best way to do it. Eileen P.
ReplyDeleteI don't care for the busy little baskets. I like the green sashing and WOW! against the border fabric....nice! I think the little baskets dilute the impact of the big baskets and confuse the eye with what the baskets are supposed to be all about. Just my opinion! It will be pretty either way.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure your creative juices are flowing. You've got fun decisions to make. I really like the little baskets and green triangles as the outer edge. I love the business rather than each of those lovely baskets being separated with sashing. Now we have to see what you come up with.
ReplyDeleteWell, I agree with Pam, and for the same reason. The busyness detracts from the impact of the pretty applique. You always want to put the spotlight on the best feature. The green sashing will not be so wide once it is sewn together. And I really like the way Lori cut the floral border so that it looks like a border print with the roses on the edge.
ReplyDeleteI always like to tweak the pattern if I can, but sometimes the designer really has hit a home run! It won't take long to applique those leaves. :D
Love basket quilts and Lori Smith patterns. I have seen her at the AQS Show in Grand Rapids. Personally, I like the quilt without the sashing. Have you considered one narrow strip of sashing. The border fabric seems to take away from the baskets. It is nice to have two projects in the works.
ReplyDeleteLove basket quilts and Lori Smith patterns. I have seen her at the AQS Show in Grand Rapids. Personally, I like the quilt without the sashing. Have you considered one narrow strip of sashing. The border fabric seems to take away from the baskets. It is nice to have two projects in the works.
ReplyDeleteWow they both look nice. But I think i like the sashing with the border fabric you had up. The other is a little busy for me but like I said they both look nice.
ReplyDeletewhat wonderful applique and yes definately a plain border you must not detract from the baskets
ReplyDeleteMy vote goes to the layout on the left with the green sashing. It may be my old eyes but although I just love those baskets I seemed to have difficulty focusing on all of them together. It really is a beautiful pattern and I wish I could appliqué as you do!
ReplyDeleteI love Lori's patterns and her design is beautiful, but I have to say I like your layout better. I love the last photo with the green triangles in the corners. I know it will be beautiful no matter which setting. Love the Oak Leaf and Reel quilt too!
ReplyDeleteI'm no help -- each one had its merits. Love Lori Smith's designs and they only get more desirable after they "simmer" for a while! Oooh, that Oak and Reel is wonderful, enjoy the stitching!
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ReplyDelete00-rtttttttttp That's Buddy's less than useful input. I love your choice of the soft green sashing. But I know whatever you choose to do with knock my socks off.
I recognized the basket design as being Lori's. I think I have the pattern but not made the blocks. At least you got the blocks made!
ReplyDeleteI love a layout vote! I like the one on the right without the green sashing which is calmer and prettier... and I like the little baskets border!
ReplyDeleteI like the changes that you are making - I say keep going!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE the blocks with the little baskets in the setting triangle area! I would never have thought of using them like that. The blocks are beautiful and will look wonderful with whatever setting you decide on. Your handquilting continues to be lovely :0)
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