Take the easy way out? Not me. If there is a way to extend the work on my quilt I find it just as the finish line comes into view. This isn’t a bad thing. It can be frustrating, though.
I finally finished piecing Sunrise Over the Atlantic, or so I thought. It doesn’t look finished to me. I could take the easy way out and say close enough. But, what if I were to add a border? Most of my landscape and abstract work wouldn’t look right with a border. This one might be enhanced.
This time I have taken the easy way out. Thank goodness for EQ8. It allows me to import an image of the quilt and test various border contenders. I’ve created three possible border options, but am open to suggestions. What do you think? Would a border be best? If so, what’s your preference?
I am linking up with Nina Marie’s Off the Wall Fridays.
I vote for the floating diamonds, followed by the white and black borders. The diamonds give a softer edge, which to me seems more compatible with a sunrise.
Thank you for your thoughtful answer, Joanna. I appreciate the rational behind your answer. It makes sense.
Black binding looks good. Option 2, white then black, adds drama.
Personally, I don’t care for 3. 4 is more typical of you.
Tough choice.
Great answer, Ruth. Thank you. It is rare, very rare, for me to contain a sunrise in a border. I am amazed by how radically different each border feels. It isn’t easy. I’m honored you have a sense of my style.
Oh my gosh, Gwyned — I’ve fallen behind with graduation and everything else going on around here, and seeing this nearly-finished quilt for the first time since you started it. This takes my breath away!!! The way you’ve created the suggestion of the sunlight sparkling against the waves through the smaller pieced units contrasting with the smoother transitions between the strips in the sky. I could stare at this for hours and keep discovering new things to love. Borders? Option 1, Simple Black Border, because it brings me into the world of the landscape you’ve created effectively, but without drawing any attention to itself. My eye isn’t drawn into the work and contained within it as immediately or as effectively with the others.
You’ve done it now, Rebecca. You have me crying as I read your comment. Although Sunrise Over the Atlantic is my style, it is a bit of a radical departure. Feels gutsy to add the sashing and the center black and white diamonds. You are the second vote for the simple black border. I’m definitely tempted to go this root.
I may be in the minority, Gwyned, but (as with pictures/prints/photos/etc.) I like the double border, white and black. There is something about a double border that, for me, makes the subject matter “pop” right out of the “frame.” No matter which route you choose, I know it will be marvelous!
There is no minority in this poll. I thought there might be a clear favorite, even if I hadn’t settle on one myself. Instead I’ve received soundly reasoned votes for each of the three borders. No doubt the wide black with narrow white stripped border creates the clearest frame.
I like #2, narrow white border with wider black. It seems to tie everything together. A magnificent quilt either way!
Norma, it is as if you can read my mind. One of the reasons I gave the narrow white border with wider black border a go was to reference the sashing and give it a way to resolve. Thanks for voicing your opinion.
I rarely bind art pieces — if they’re “soft” (not mounted on stretched canvas) I tend to face them. If I were to bind the lovely work you’ve created, I would make a *very* narrow black binding, as unobtrusive as possible. 🙂
It’s been years since I’ve bound a quilt, too. It feels like a holdover from traditional work. However, this piece seems to cry for something other than facing to contain it. Since it is 42″ H x 60″ W if I do opt to bind it. The black strips in the black and white diagonal work is 3/8″. So, that would be the width of the binding. It will barely be noticeable from a distance.
Wow!! So pretty! I do like the second version with the black border.
Thank you, Nancy. I’m going to do a bit more experiment, but I suspect the black binding is the way I will go.
I really like the narrow black binding. It helps pull your eye into the piece but doesn’t dominate.
Thank you, Emily for voicing your opinion and providing the rationale behind it.