Rhonda from Quilter in the Gap's Finish-A-Long is working! I have sandwiched and quilted, or mostly quilted, my kaleidoscope quilt. But I can't decide on two things. First, the binding. I have enough of three fabrics which match perfectly - which one should I use? I have taken pictures from three different angles.
My other question is the quilting. You can see I used light grey threat to quilt straight lines parallel to the seams running along the pointy bits on either side of the seams. That leaves the square in the middle of the aqua and chartreuse stars without quilting. The spacing between quilting is fine for my batting, it can go to 8" between quilting and I want this to be a soft and puffy quilt.
Should I leave it as is, add another line parallel to the ones I have quilted on both sides of the seams, say a 1/2" further over, or quilt around the squares?
I have trouble auditioning binding as there is so little that actually shows on the quilt. This last picture is my attempt at a view more like binding.
Here is the top before quilting, I did not have time to set up lighting to photograph the quilted top last night.
In other FAL news, I have about 35" left to hand stitch on the bed quilt, but I could not keep my eyes open last night to finish. I will be able to show it off very soon.
Have a great Monday and thank you for your thoughts!
Best,
Leanne
oh my, this is really lovely!!! I'm torn about the binding - my eye was immediately drawn to the teal, and I like the circle design on that fabric. I think it would make an interesting binding. Though I really do like the others too! And quilting...it does seem like it could use a little more in that square. A little tedious to go back, but I think it would be nice to echo inside those lines...all this IMHO - it looks totally fantastic as is!!
ReplyDeleteI love everything about this quilt...color, piercing etc.! I would pick the teal circles for the binding, definitely pops out more than the others but the others are nice too. Tough decision. Quilting around the square would be nice too.
ReplyDeleteIf you want the quilt to remain puffy then I would suggest to leave the middle part quilt free. I may anyway proof a bit difficult to quilt this now as all the other lines are already quilted. You may end up with access fabric issues. In general the more quilting you add the less puffy. The binding choice is easy for me as I like a binding with a kick. I would definitely go for the turquoise binding (the top fabric of the three in your photo). Great quilt and a pattern that is on my long long list.
ReplyDeleteI think the turquoise for binding too, but I'm not sure about the quilting. Whatever you choose it will be beautiful!
ReplyDeleteGreat progress! I am terrible with decisions but i think I like the blue for the binding... quilting no idea, i like it as it is though! :)
ReplyDeleteLeanne, this is such a beautiful quilt! I agree with the others that the blue binding would be my choice, and honestly, I wouldn't add any more quilting. But, I am lazy and like puffy quilts! Whatever you do will look fabulous!
ReplyDeleteThe teal instantly jumps to me for the binding. Great job on the quilt.
ReplyDeleteI think it looks great as is and you don't need to add another line of quilting - especially if you want to keep the quilt soft and puffy.
ReplyDeleteMy first choice for binding would be the gray and second choice would be the green.
Congrats on you FAL progress! I'm participating too :)
I think the blue, or the teal. The grey doesn't seem strong enough.
ReplyDeleteAs for quilting, leave it. I've been overquilting lately and now can see that sometimes, less is more.
Yellowy green for binding and leave as is for quilting!
ReplyDeleteMy 2 cents - for what it's worth. The turquoise would set off the quilt nicely as a binding or even a border. As for the quilting, can you stitch in the ditch around the blocks?
ReplyDeleteWhen I looked at it - I thought the turquoise would make it pop, but that's just me. If you want it puffy you may not want to quilt it more, but if you care more about look you can add more. It depends on what you want. :)
ReplyDeleteHi! That is going to be a really adorable quilt! All my favourite colours! Like the others, I would choose also the turquoise even the lime is as good! What about your backing - that colour could help you to decide!
ReplyDeleteI think leave the quilting as it is. And go with the blue binding. When you see the whole quilt the chartreuse comes out more strongly than the blue to me and I think that by using the blue binding it will bring about a balance. Plus I just love the fabric!
ReplyDeleteLOVE this quilt. How about some echo quilting just inside the outer edges of the squares? But it doesn't really need anything more. I really like the turquoise fabric for binding, but they are all beautiful. Jxo
ReplyDeleteWow, it's beautiful...and I can't agree with everyone else...because the lime binding is what popped out to me. That is what pops in the quilt to me and I feel it would draw that to the edge of the quilt. I think ultimately, they all look great, so whatever you pick is going to be awesome! GREAT quilt!
ReplyDeleteI would leave the quilting as is, creates a nice puffy look, and I would use the teal as the binding, it just POPS! Coming along beautifully Leanne!
ReplyDeletelol, like nearly everyone I immediately like the teal for binding; but I have learned that color is a funny thing. If you use the teal the lime in the quilt will pop, and vice versa. or maybe this will only count in borders where there is a larger bit visible. your colors are fab, either would work. Nicely done, good thing you are finishing, it would be a shame to let it sit :)
ReplyDeleteI'm liking the teal for binding too... Why not leave the quilting for now, and if it starts to look a little loosy goosey down the line, add a little more?
ReplyDeleteI guess I am odd man out and I would go with the gray but let me explain why. As the quilt is the chartreuse and the turquoise have a great balance. When you add either one of them as a binding that color will immediately jump off the quilt and be the dominating color. If you use gray as the binding the balance between the two will remain.
ReplyDeleteOh btw did you notice the new cut?---->
ReplyDeleteIt's beautiful! I think the teal for the binding too - it frames it nicely.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, this quilt is so unbelievably beautiful!!!!
ReplyDeleteWell I was in the minority over at Susan`s and I`m in the minority here but I`m always a green girl if I can help it and would go for the green but blue seems to be where everyone else is going. As for the quilting, leave it and keep the quilt soft and puffy.
No idea on the binding, it all looks lovely. I wouldn't quilt it anymore as it looks fabulous as it is. Love your colours: I really want to have a go at this quilt too
ReplyDeleteBeautiful. Binding will bring out the colours of the binding. Do you want aqua, chartreuse or grey to predominate?
ReplyDeleteI love the teal circles too, and a quilt around the square would finish it nicely :o)
ReplyDeleteYep, I had the same thought as comment #20 - picking the teal or the lime will throw off the balance, so I'd go with the gray.
ReplyDeleteI'd leave the quilting as is. Quilting in the squares may disrupt the "star" effect.
Hope that's helpful!
I'm going against all the blue too and say grey was immediately the one I would chose. I think it will make the colours of the quilt stand out. If you want to do more quilting I would say quilt inside the square, although I don't think it needs it :)
ReplyDeletetotally forgot to say that I think this quilt is FANTASTIC!! I love the colours and fabrics, it looks beautiful :)
ReplyDeleteQuilting leave as is, and binding, I'd do grey... but I have a bit of a thing for grey! Its looking wonderful though.
ReplyDeleteI was going to say blue for the binding, then I read Rhona's comment and think that is a very valid point.
ReplyDeleteI'd leave the quilting as is.
It's a fabulous quilt, I love the colours.
It is a lovely quilt..I agree with using teal for the binding...it will pull the colours out.
ReplyDeleteAnd I would add more quilting if you can....the more; the better...but it is really beautiful.
I love the quilt, the colours and the quilting, I'd go with grey binding so the blue and the chartreuse still are the main focus colours but don't make it a predominately Blue or Chartreuse
ReplyDeleteLooks gorgeous, Leanne. Tough choice for the binding as each colour is so lovely. Sometimes when I'm stuck figuring out what to bind with, I consider my backing into the equation - which of these three would work best with your backing? Does that help?
ReplyDeleteThe quilting is great as it is, so you could stop right there. Although as I look closer, I wondered if you quilted the squares in concentric lines if that bit of denser spaced quilting would help make the puffy look you're after. Just a thought....
Just my 2 cents....
ReplyDeleteI think the quilt is busy enough, and you should use a solid color binding. ONLY my opinion! I love the fabrics you have chosen.
I think you should add more quilting - those open bits would bother me later. Just my opinion.
Good luck Leanne! It is a very pretty quilt, someone will be very lucky.
IMHO I would quilt inside the square and use the dark teal for binding! It is a lovely quilt, whatever you decide to do with it!
ReplyDeleteHi Leanne. First time at your blog and I gotta say I love this quilt! As for your binding question...I gotta say the grey. I'm all for colour but this time I chose the blend-it-all-together for ultimate coziness colour option of the grey.
ReplyDeleteJust my two bits:)
It pains me to agree with Rhonda, but I think she is right, although I love the green!
ReplyDeleteStop quilting - it'll wash up nicely xxx
quilting- leave it! it's good as it is.
ReplyDeletebinding- gray. duh.
i'd go teal to frame it - and no more quilting. gorgeous quilt btw
ReplyDeletequilting... i say leave it. unless you will be sad about it later, if you won't care then i say be done. and the binding... the gray was the one that jumped out at me against the quilt but you could do a scrappy binding or a scrappy candycane binding... that would be pretty awesome....
ReplyDeleteI know I'm late to this party, but I immediately thought of the blue, but then I'm a sucker for blue. I'd leave the quilting as is too and Rhonda can't say you didn't finish it properly for the FAL as you've got all our comments to back you up ;)
ReplyDeleteIt's a beautiful quilt and I love your colour choices!
I'm late too, and I'm for the blue binding, as well. As Susan noticed the green seems to pop more so the blue binding would bring the blue out the blue more and would create nice contrast with the other fabrics. Unless you wanted to calm the quilt down (uhm, can I say it in this context?), then I'd use the grey.
ReplyDeletelove the quilt and your color choices! i like the teal fabric for the binding because it has a fun print, but the green could also work.
ReplyDeleteas for quilting, you could quilt just in the square center of the chartreuse star if you want to add more quilting.
I definitely vote for the gorgeous turquoise with modern circles for the binding. As for the quilting, I think it looks fine without. I would only add something in the middle of the square if you're worried your pieces will come apart.
ReplyDeleteLovely quilt, the color combo is great. I would go with the teal. I like the quilting as it is. Great job.
ReplyDeleteBinding - I'd love to see a darker solid grey! Sorry it is not on your list but it is just my opinion!
ReplyDeleteIf you want more quilting then how about a little motif by hand or even tying the very middle - that would do I think! But I do love it as it is!
I think it would be cute with a scrappy binding :-)
ReplyDelete