Thursday 23 January 2014

Cornering problems

I've been trying to think through a little design issue over the past few days. You know - the kind of issue that comes from not using a pattern and having an idea that you don't realise is going to make you stop and think. My problem is how to get around corners...


See my problem? I want my little square seams to match up with the big square seams on the other side of the black fabric. So I tried this:


Eew, poo. I don't like it (but it would be a simple solution). Just to be sure, I put some mock binding along the edge.


Definitely don't like it. At. All. So my next idea was to cut smaller pieces of fabric the same width as the black fabric:


I think this works better, but the small piece on the left is a bit too noticeable - I think I need to go blendy blendy so those small pieces aren't obvious.


What do you think o wise ones? Am I on the right track or is there another option that I could consider?






14 comments:

  1. Well...maths is not my stongest point, but....I think maybe if you stay with the lovely first border (the black/grey print) as it is in your last pic. Then make your squares for the 2nd border smaller....you could get maybe 3 or 4 per block, with an added corner setting square ?!??!!? Watching with anticipation! Linda

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  2. I thought extending the black border was a good idea! But it does make the quilt more dividey - as in divided up. I think the little extra pieces in your main quilt fabric blend in and no one will notice. Tricky.

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  3. Tricky. I like the bottom photo the best. The only other thing I can think of is making all 3 corner pieces the same colour - ie the corner and the 2 skinny pieces. Sort of a cap. But that might look a bit much.

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  4. It's interesting reading what all the others say! I don't mind any of the options you have used, but probably like the last one the best! Good luck deciding....

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  5. Tricky! I think I would take Liz's suggestion but instead of making the skinny pieces the same fabric as the corner piece make them the same fabric as the next fabric they will be next to (the leopard print and the poppy print).

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  6. I have had the same issues - I start making the quilt and then my original border design changes. I like your the last version the best. Your fabrics are busy enough that no one will notice the two smaller rectangles. Or you could make the corner piece a rectangle instead so that it fills in the small (size of the inner border) area in the top and do the same thing on the left side? My 2cents.

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  7. I think your fabric selection is busy enough to allow for the smaller rectangles without being too noticeable...especially once your quilt it. It looks beautiful so far!

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  8. Leave the corner square as is but the rest of the last border make into rectangles like the one you have...ie. all rectangles, but squares in the corners. OR use some triangles so the diagonals in the main quite 'carry' out into the last border. All while leaving the black border alone...

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  9. I actually like option 1, but I guess having smaller patches of AMH does give it a more cohesive look, which is what you are after.

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  10. Hmmmm I can't see anything wrong with option one. I see your dilemma, but either way works ; )

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  11. I agree with Janet - the nature of the prints is very blendy and option 2 works well. Option 3 is more work but just as noticeable as option 2. Only option 1 sticks out as a sore thumb.

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  12. I'd ignore the fact that the seams on the little squares don't match the big ones. Just use the small squares like you started with and let them be 'misaligned'. Especially since you will have the black border to keep them separate and the prints are busy enough to not make it obvious (would be a different story if you were doing black and white squares or something super contrasty). Of course, as we often discover, any choice you end up making is usually the right choice when it's all finished and keeping you cozy on a cold night.

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  13. I think you're second idea will work, but I'm sure you've already figured that out by now! It's looking good, Megan!

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  14. is there a reason the squares start where they do or can you just move them up against the corner sq? I hope that makes sense. I think once you get the littler bits sewn in and the top completed, it will be less noticeable. did you leave this overnight and come back to it? that often gives a fresh perspective rather than making a decision right away.

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