Workshop in Progress, coming to you from Ontario

/ Wednesday 28 April 2010 /
It's my pleasure to host Workshop in Progress today, since Cheryl has her hands full with Quilt Canada.  She is involved with the professional development program and I'm sure she's getting lots of inspiration to share with us upon her return.

Although I've got a full docket of projects at various stages of undress, I don't always manage to have something to share for Workshop Wednesday.  Today, however, I thought I would bring out my neutral blocks and ask for your thoughts around sashing.  The last time I posted about these, several people suggested that sashing wasn't necessary.  I'm not sure.  One problem is that the blocks aren't all the same size.  I made some fatal trimming errors on a couple of the blocks, but most of them are close to 8.5".  I pulled out three pieces of yardage that I thought would be possible sashing options, and here they are.
The first one is an ivory cotton from Amy Butler.
Sashing possibility #1
The second one is a green cotton, also an Amy Butler, if I recall correctly.
Sashing possibility #2
The final choice is a Moda cross-weave cotton in natural (you can see that the block on the top right is one of the trimming casualties).
Sashing possibility #3
Here's a slightly larger view of the cross-weave; you can see the natural and black threads a bit better.
Cross-weave cotton closer view
What do you think?  Or would you still go for a non-sashed option?

In other workshop news, Felicity is in a quandary about quilting choices.  She's done a great Hungry Caterpillar quilt top and is now trying to decide on the best way to quilt the various features.  Her dilemma about becoming paralyzed through overthinking the quilting decisions vs rushing in without a plan just to get it finished really resonates with me.  Let's go have a look and give her some ideas to ponder.

26 comments:

{ Andrea } on: 28 April 2010 at 09:49 said...

Thanks for taking over the ship today!

I love love love that cross weave!!! it adds texture and dimension. 2nd choice is the ivory cotton...

{ Monica } on: 28 April 2010 at 09:56 said...

I likefabric #3. The weave pattern really enhances the blocks and allows your eye to take in all that's there without being overwhelmed. And, to me it gives the blocks an modern-Asian feel which I really like.

I look forward to seeing what you decide.

{ elle } on: 28 April 2010 at 10:06 said...

oh, I'd been thinking no WIP this week then late last night remembered that our fearless leader had reached into the pickle dish and delegated. lol So glad you are on the job! I was for no sashing and now I'm not sure. I was for neutral AND I'm even less sure. Is that green neutral? 8^) It sure makes things pop! But the weave #3 is super if it is really to be neutral.

Anonymous on: 28 April 2010 at 10:49 said...

I love the cross-weave, too. It looks FABULOUS with those blocks.

{ Lindsay } on: 28 April 2010 at 12:58 said...

I say that if the cross-weave looks good with the grey block (featured in the green sashing sample shot), go for it. It'll make a really interesting neutral quilt!

{ Leanne } on: 28 April 2010 at 13:06 said...

Crossweave - love it. Have some in my stash. What don't I have in my stash?

{ Cathie } on: 28 April 2010 at 13:31 said...

I really like that third option - that one looks natural and yet adds lots of character and depth. Instead of putting in plain sashing, maybe you could add sides to each block to make them bigger than required, and then cut them down again. Like this
http://www.electricquilt.com/Albums/01/0105/lg/0105q27.jpg

Or kind of like this one, thinking that your blocks are set like the centers on these blocks
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZUsLVomwPaU/SWKW3JgUFvI/AAAAAAAANLg/PeRNMr2UV8s/s400/TWisted%2BHappy%2BBlock%2Btop.jpg

{ Katie B } on: 28 April 2010 at 13:38 said...

The cross weave gets my vote too! SO pretty.

{ felicity } on: 28 April 2010 at 13:54 said...

You know, that green really pleases my eye but I agree that if you truly want to keep the quilt reading "neutral" then the crossweave is the way to go.

Thanks for taking over WIP this week, Lesly!

{ karen @ badlandsquilts } on: 28 April 2010 at 13:57 said...

I love the crossweave! I would add sashing to each block to get it to uniform size (say add 1.5 or so to get to even size block) and then they will go together super fast and have the look of wider 3" or so sashing. Good luck!

{ KyraT-M } on: 28 April 2010 at 14:50 said...

I love the cross weave, the others are no where near as wonderful. That would be my choice in a heart beat.

{ annette } on: 28 April 2010 at 15:34 said...

Love the cross weave look! Adds a texture to the blocks that appeals to me. Looking forward to seeing the end result.

{ Patty } on: 28 April 2010 at 17:49 said...

I love the look of the cross weave fabric with your blocks. If you have some too small, I would add a black border to make them all the same size and then use black for corner stones, to bring out the black in your blocks. I really love it and will be excited to see what you end up doing with it.

{ Claudia } on: 28 April 2010 at 18:01 said...

The cross weave looks FAB.

{ Jennifer } on: 28 April 2010 at 18:19 said...

I think the cross weave looks best. Also, those trimming casualties... can't you just sew another piece on there?

{ Lee D } on: 28 April 2010 at 20:43 said...

crossweave one for sure. Can you add another round of fabic to the one that is the wrong size? I haven't run into Cheryl at Quilt Canada yet, but hope to tomorrow

Anonymous on: 28 April 2010 at 23:16 said...

I like the Moda cross weave the best.

{ My Life In Stitch } on: 29 April 2010 at 06:54 said...

Cross weave for me too

{ Dee } on: 29 April 2010 at 08:19 said...

Going against the tidal wave, but I liked the green. Something peaceful to rest your eyes on without taking away from the blocks.

Hope your weekend is fabulous!

{ Thelma } on: 29 April 2010 at 08:54 said...

Moda Cross-Weave Cotton...no question, it's the best!~

{ Nichole } on: 29 April 2010 at 11:23 said...

i really like the cross weave. i think it compliments the earthy and natural tone of the blocks very nicely.

{ Amy Sp } on: 29 April 2010 at 21:56 said...

I think the last one is really nice! The ivory is nice too. I don't really thing the green works with those blocks though. I really like the idea of sashing them though, as opposed to mushing them all together.

{ Jen } on: 30 April 2010 at 01:43 said...

Oooh, I love the third option. I just love how the color of the weave offsets the colors in the squares.

Anonymous on: 1 May 2010 at 08:55 said...

Option 3 looks good to me! I think I may have been a no sashing person earlier, but the crossweave has me converted!

Anonymous on: 1 May 2010 at 20:54 said...

I cast my vote for the cross weave. I think it gives the squares a nice uniformity that the others don't and yet is a nice contrast.
I think it will nicely compliment the blocks various sizes as well.
Good luck on your choice.
Rebecca O of Buffalo

{ Rene' } on: 3 May 2010 at 21:30 said...

Love the cross weave best and the ivory second. Great neutral blocks.

Post a Comment

Thanks for dropping by - I'd love to hear what you think, so please leave me a comment!

Popular Posts

Modern Day Quilts
 
Copyright © 2010 Stitch Literate, All rights reserved
Design by DZignine. Powered by Blogger