Saturday, December 12, 2015

Spiderwebs Need a Border

My computer is still out for repairs and I'm out with a cold. It takes an entirely different skill set to try to post from my tablet. And I can't click any links. But I did get the spiderwebs sewn. Now they need a border.

Jewel Spiderwebs sewn 

Here are some closeups of a few.

Jeweled spiderwebs, detail.

It's still unpressed to keep the sides from stretching. And it needs a border. I've always wanted to make a vine and leaf border. This seems like a good place to put one. But... which fabric for the background? None has enough yardage to go all the way around. Some thinking is in order.

Enjoy the day, Ann

26 comments:

Helen@Till We Quilt Again said...

Love this! Always a winner when the quilt turns out beautiful and you can use up your fabrics!

Karen in Breezy Point said...

Wow--it's wonderful! I know you will come up with a fabulous border to finish it up--love it!

Janie said...

I hope you get over your cold! Borders look fab even when a different fabric is used. Just keep contrast in mind. Sujata Shah is good at that.

LA Paylor said...

I think you need a border of one fabric, one that allows the vine to shine, and brings the eyes back to the cool circle designs. Even if you have to buy one big enough, sorry. Maybe one of the colors in your current backgrounds. Bet this looks superb on a bed. LeeAnna

Monica said...

I Just Adore your background fabric here! It is the same kind of effect that I'm hoping to achieve with my BFF background. Which is still undecided despite much money spent. Right now I think it must be scrappy. Why not your border too? Scrappy background, with a single fabric for the vine and leaves. Maybe even your background fabric, if you have enough -- negative/postive.

Linda said...

I love these spiders and the way they blend in and out of the background. I'm a big fan of scrappy borders. Seems like using mid tones, maybe in the blues would make a nice frame but blend so it doesn't detract from the spiders.

Ann said...

Thanks, Helen. It is great to use up some older fabrics although this one took a while to work out.

Ann said...

Thanks, Karen. I have some ideas. I guess the good part of being sick is the extra thinking time.

Ann said...

Thanks, Janie. I am looking at loads of beautiful borders for ideas. Sujata is inspirational

Ann said...

Yes, LeeAnna, one fabric seems best. But I have a couple I'd like to use even though they won't go all the way around. I do like the idea of a similar background to the current fabric. Thanks for your thoughts.

Ann said...

Thanks for the ideas, Monica. I hadn't thought of keeping the vine and leaves a single fabric. The background on my quilt is an old piece I've had and loved for years. It's just time to get it moving. I'll check your quilt out, too. Need lots of ideas.

Ann said...

Thanks, Linda. I'm leaning towards blues, too. You're right. I want to keep the spiders as the focus.

Kaja said...

I too love how this has worked out and agree about the background fabric. As always I'm struck by your ability to balance all the scraps and make something with a coherent, deliberate look to it. So many good suggestions for your border - I'm sure you'll come up with the right solution.

Ann said...

A lucky outcome from inability to upload photos: there are more suggestions than if I'd showed my general ideas. Lots to think about. Thanks.

Cathy said...

I'm not a border person so no useful tips from me! I can never think of what to add for a border and I don't like just plain pieces of fabric for a border. It will be fun to see what you come up with. I like how you kept the color consistent around the outside of the webs. Take care of yourself! Seems like it takes a long time to get over some colds. I usually end up ill after Christmas. I think holiday visitors bring me their cooties every year as a gift.

Ann said...

I prefer borders that are more than single fabric all the way around, too, Cathy. Using this printed fabric for the background made it more difficult to figure out webs I liked that went with it.
These cooties came from my seatmate on a recent flight. Darn it! Is it better if your friends bring them?

Helen L said...

I think your idea for a vine in the border is great, and I'd use the same fabric that you used for the star points. It would look great with bright flowers on the vine!

Lara B. said...

Ann, I'm in love with these spiderwebs and all their colors and beautiful background! Just gorgeous! No hope of finding more of the background fabric for the border? Maybe something pretty close will work. I love your idea of sewing vines and leaves.

Ann said...

I'm out of that fabric, Helen, but I'm looking at some that might blend with it. Flowers sound good. Thanks for the ideas.

Ann said...

Thanks, Lara. They finally worked out. Worth the effort and a lesson to me to stop rushing. I'm very excited to try appliqué again after all these years.

audrey said...

I'm just getting to the point where i'll type a comment in from my tablet. Kudos to you for posting from one! This is such a great quilt. The colors are scrumptious!

Mary Marcotte said...

Love this quilt! The colors are so pretty and cheerful. I love the idea of a vine/flower border. Why can't you just use all the fabrics? A different leaf or flower for each fabric. Of course, you know this quilt best, so go with your sensibilities. Get well soon. I finally got over my cough but it took weeks, and lots of meds. Here's hoping that you're all better by Christmas.

Ann said...

It took several hours to get photos to the post. I don't think I'll bother till my computer is back. Should be next week. Yea! A Christmas present.

Ann said...

Thanks, Mary. I am finally in the mend.So sad to realize this is one of the aspects of aging- I don't bounce back quickly. I've been thinking about the vine and leaves. Maybe some flowers or birds...

Julierose said...

Oh your webs are so pretty--and neat on the edges--I like that look too. I have only 9 more to quilt as you go and then trimming up...Vine and leaf border for those spiders to hang out in (lol) would be so pretty..hugs, and Merry Christmas Julierose

liniecat said...

Stunning - love the vibrancy : )