Friday 2 September 2011

A little bird told me...



This little yellow bird.  I have finished making the blocks for Sonny's quilt and so now I need to start thinking about the backing and the binding.  I never worry about these things until I'm well on the way with the quilt top as it usually comes to me as the top is coming together.


As I was sewing, I noticed that although the quilt is predominantly red/grey/black, there were little splashes of yellow dotted throughout.  My little yellow bird is getting told off by the owl here, I think, maybe for sitting on the furniture...




The skulls are wearing dashing yellow neckerchiefs...





And there are a couple of yellow cockerels too.





I'm thinking perhaps this fabric for the binding and I have gone for a medium grey plain backing that will have the addition of some colour from the scrap that came from making the blocks (that is another post, I think).


I can't remember where, but I read recently about using monochrome photos to judge the balance of values in the blocks.  Here is my first draft layout:




I wasn't sure about the heaviness of the top two rows on the right hand side, so had a move around.  This is my second draft:




I still wasn't happy with the top left corner, so a final adjustment was made and I think it is much more balanced.  This is my final layout:




Subtle changes that make a lot of difference.  I think I need to work on taking a photo that is straight!

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While we're on the subject of fabric, Julia is having a fabulous giveaway over on her blog.  Go check it out!

10 comments:

  1. The monochrome trick is very clever!

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  2. What a clever way of arranging the blocks. I think the yellow binding will be perfect.

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  3. It looks gorgeous! Love the colours and think that binding is fantastic, picking out the yellow will look great.
    Lucy
    http://charmaboutyou.blogspot.com/
    xx

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  4. Thanks Tracy! I love that skull bit on the fabric :)

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  5. What a clever trick for the layout. It's going to be a fabulous quilt, I love the grumpy owl!

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  6. I like that black and white idea! very clever.

    (And the yellow binding is great)

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  7. I love the little bird and the cross owl. That monochrome method is genius - the whole quilt is stunning.

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  8. It is fabulous. Love the colours and odd splash of yellow.

    Happy stitching.

    Nina x

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  9. Some lovely fabrics - the colours look really dramatic together - it will be an amazing quilt when it is finished!

    Pomona x

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