I am having a great time making these blocks, and the celestial theme is so fun! But I still have a lot of questions I need to answer for myself before I get to the end product.
Size: I am still trying to decide what size to make it. I want it to be useful for an infant but also be big enough that it can be used in childhood. Because of this, I haven't decided how many blocks I will use in the top, or if I will use borders to help get it to the right size. I am leaning toward using nine blocks and maybe adding a border. I still can't decide which nine blocks to use. I have made 12 but don't love them all or feel like some "fit." At this moment I'm leaning toward remaking two.
Backing: I am so torn about which backing to choose. I'm leaning toward the first option, but I worry about the dark color fading with washing, and a baby quilt needs to be washed a lot! I want to stick with the sky theme and I don't want it to be too juvenile so it can be used into childhood if. I asked my girls which one they would pick, and of course they did not pick the same one!
What do you think? Help me decide! Which one would you choose and why?
Linking up with Elm Street Quilts One Monthly Goal April Linkup
Love your color scheme, and you have great backing options. I'd probably pick one of the bottom two, because I resist directional prints for backings when possible and the solar system one is a bit juvenile, so if that's not your goal, I'd skip that one. I like the Elizabeth Hartman print, but the blue one on the bottom is more sky themed. Hope that helps!
ReplyDeleteI try to avoid directional prints on backings too, so much can go wrong! I thought the solar system might be busy enough that it could work but I think I might be leaning toward the one you picked as well. I'm not sure why backings can be so difficult for me to pick sometimes. And I still need to pick the binding too! I really appreciate your input!
DeleteI love flying geese. Do you use the paper piecing method? I definitely prefer your multi-colored first fabric. Often the backs of baby quilts are quite visible. This fabric adds more visual interest. If it is quality fabric, then it should not fade too much. If it does, than it is a well-loved and used quilt.
ReplyDeleteI love paper piecing, but this pattern did not call for. I think this method is called the "no waste" method but I love that you can make them so many ways. I like the "solar system" print a lot too. It is definitely one of my top two and I think it would be fun for an infant to look at. I hate making decisions when there are so many great options!!! Thanks for input!
DeleteI made two baby quilts recently and washed them before gifting them. You’re right—the dark colors faded with the first wash. So I’d choose the last fabric even though the others are really great.
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DeleteI used some black Cotton & Steel Sprinkle in one of my quilts and it has faded a bit. I don't mind it and kind of like the look, but I worry about this happening to a gift! Still, I am using a dark Sprinkle print in this quilt because I love it! I may just take a chance on a dark backing, still can't decide. I appreciate your input!!!
My favourite is the one with the planets but other than that I like the grey. i don't have an issue with fading over time. I guess I feel the quilt will just look more loved. You have done a great job on the piecing and like you I'm thinking of switching out some of my blocks in my quilt as well.
ReplyDeleteI like the planets too! I think it is a fun option for rounding out the theme and gives both sides of the quilt interest. Decisions, decisions! I appreciate your input!
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ReplyDeleteBeautiful blocks. Great colorway.It is going to be a darling baby quilt. The backing, I kinda like the navy one with the clouds the best.
ReplyDeleteThank you!!! I am not generally a fan of blue but I love this combo for a baby boy! I like the clouds too, they are so cute. So difficult to decide!
DeleteHi Carrie, sorry it’s taken me so long to pop over to visit you. I would definitely choose the gray backing fabric for your baby/child quilt, although they are all lovely. Freckledfoxquiltery@gmail.com (I have decided to add my email address to comments as I have been told in the past that I’m a no reply blogger.
ReplyDeleteThank you for taking the time to stop by! I love the gray too, with so many options I love it will probably take me long to decide that I never finish this quilt! Thanks for your input!
DeleteMy first choice is the same as yours Carrie! I know what you mean about fading, so you could go with the fourth one. However, I made my grandson a quilt, and he's now 9, and still has it on his bed...and it sees a TON of washing and drying in the dryer (NOOOO--I tried in vain to get my daughter NOT to continually do that) and it has faded, even the quilt-shop-quality fabrics on the front, interestingly perhaps a little more than the Fabricland (like JoAnn) flannelette (yup, not flannel; it was the perfect Leo the Lion and he's a Leo fabric, to adorable NOT to use)! To me, it's a sign of a well-loved quilt, so let it fade. ;-) And yikes! I have forgotten to do my OMG and to link up with the Q1 FAL! Good luck with your OMG!
ReplyDeleteThis personal experience with your grandson's quilt is so helpful!!! I am making the quilt to be used, and faded fabric just means this is happening! I think I am just nervous because I'm making it for someone I don't know too well so I might be overthinking it. Thanks for the helpful input, and good luck with your goal too!
DeleteHi Carrie,
ReplyDeleteI love all the different blocks you are making for this baby quilt! This quilt will definitely go well beyond babyhood. I really like the first option that you chose or the third one of all stars. I like the colors and movement in the first one, and the third one looks realistically like a night sky. This sounds like a very doable goal for April, and I'm going to follow you so I am sure to see it finished by the 30th. ~smile~ Roseanne
Very nice! Thanks for linking up with Elm Street Quilts One Monthly Goal and good luck with your project.
ReplyDeleteI like what you did with the backing for your Alpine quilt.
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