First time quilter - layout and color help needed!

[Snip Snip]

Re: First time quilter - layout and color help needed!

As you are finding out, there are a lot of right answers out here. It comes down to personal preference: It's your quilt, and there are no quilt police.

[JCY]

Re: First time quilter - layout and color help needed!

I would probably make this quilt with less random placement of the squares & do a 4-patch or a 9-patch with all the colors. Use the orange sparingly since it tends to be more noticeable. Congratulations on your new quilting journey & first quilt.

[just4me]

Re: First time quilter - layout and color help needed!

Congrats on your first quilt and welcome. I would use a white border and then maybe the orange-ish fabric for the binding...the white will frame yourt quilt body, put a neutral between the yellow of your quilt and the orangey colour of the binding. Then, the orangey binding will frame the white border and also pick up on the oranges in your quilt body. Just my thoughts.

[Lyndaj]

Re: First time quilter - layout and color help needed!

Personally, I don't like the orangey fabric for the border. I would use either white or a darker yellow to contrast the squares.

[wncquilter]

Re: First time quilter - layout and color help needed!

I like the idea of using a narrow white border, then a wider colored border. If I was making this quilt I think I would try to find a larger scale allover print that has both the yellow, white & orangey colors in it, then use the original orangey print for your binding. Just my thoughts. Congrats on starting your first quilt. It's looking good!

[easyquilts]

Re: First time quilter - layout and color help needed!

I agree that a white inner border will help, but I really don't think that orange will work.... But... It's your quilt... Do whatever makes you smile... That's the goal....a big, satisfied smile.... Can't wait to see the finished quilt... You've done a good. Job.. A First Wuilt is so special...

[rebeccas-sewing]

Re: First time quilter - layout and color help needed!

I like the little white fabric with the yellow flower. If I had enough I'd use it for a border. I'd use that orangey fabric for the backing and the binding. It would be darling with a scalloped or wavy border but since you are new to quilting you might want to stick with a traditional border. If you really want the border out of the orange fabric I agree that there should be a narrow inner border using some of the white fabric with yellow flowers or just a plain white if you don't have enough of the white with yellow flowers.

[snippet]

Re: First time quilter - layout and color help needed!

I agree with Kensington. Most of my quilts have a two border thing going on with a small white then a wider colored border. It's like a picture frame with a mat to me. The white just sets the quilt off nicely. And I don't like white for an outer border anyways. It would show off any dirt or stains immediately.

From your photo, I can see why the JoAnn's employee chose the border color. It looks like you have some of that color in your blocks. But if you want it more yellow, then I'd pick a yellow for the outer border.

At any rate, congratulations on your first quilt! I like your happy random pattern. It will be fun to have it finished and know that you made it completely! Please post when you have it done.

[Jillybean]

Re: First time quilter - layout and color help needed!

Thank you everyone for your input! I decided to scrap the orange pieces and stick with only yellows and white. However, I purchased another piece of fabric for the border and just realized I am about 8 inches short of having a continuous piece for the long sides. 😣 Any tips?

[klgls]

Re: First time quilter - layout and color help needed!

Jillybean - you can always piece your borders - they won't be noticeable at all after it is quilted. Congratulations on your first quilt! Love the yellows!

[Preeti]

Re: First time quilter - layout and color help needed!

Personally, I would cut up that orange fabric into 6" squares and throw it in with the mix of white and yellow and ditch the borders completely!!!

[Jillybean]

Re: First time quilter - layout and color help needed!

So I have the quilt spray basted and am about to start machine quilting. Now I am stuck on a pattern. I wanted to do the growing Greek key (if that's even the correct name for it - as seen in the completed quilt picture I uploaded). However, a local quilt expert recommended that I do the pattern as shown in the example she drew out for me. Is the one I want to do easy? Any tips?image.jpegimage.jpg

[Hulamoon]

Re: First time quilter - layout and color help needed!

I think sprials. If you have a walking foot it's really easy.

http://flourishingpalms.blogspot.com/2015/11/10-tips-for-spiral-quilting-success.html

[Caroline T.]

Re: First time quilter - layout and color help needed!

While I like the Greek Square, and Hula's spiral suggestion, depending on the size of the quilt, it might be difficult to be able to constantly bunch and turn the quilt and make it slide thru the throat of your domestic machine (I know I shouldn't assume, but I am that you are using a domestic home sewing machine to quilt the quilt).

How big is the quilt top? and how much of a throat does your machine have?

[Jillybean]

Re: First time quilter - layout and color help needed!

My quilt top is 88x70. Throat space is about 5 inches by 5 inches. I have my grandmas hand-me-down Kenmore from the 70s!