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!