Sande

Hi Everyone, I just pieced together my first baby quilt top since joining the QB. It's not perfect and I have a ways to go before I try more detailed blocks. I put a circle (used a CD for the pattern) on top of 6 1/2 inch squares. I used lots of scraps and want to go with a bright and vibrant color scheme. I thought maybe a black and white stripped binding would make the quilt pop. What color border should I use? Should I use a solid or a print? Any suggestions for backing fabric? Should I use poly or cotton batting? How would you quilt this? I'm so confused but I know with your help I can get through this. I welcome any and all suggestions you might have.....

kristakz

I don't think it needs borders. The black/white strip binding right against what you have now would look fabulous! I can't see it with anything else for borders - any colour pulled from the quilt feels like it would overwhelm what you have - so if you really want borders, I'd just go with the white background.

For backing, I'd pick a cute kids print that picks up some of the bright colours in the front. But really, almost anything would work. I guess since the binding is black & white, it would be nice if there was some of that in the backing. The fabric in purple at the bottom of the second photo, for example, would be cute on the back. But you don't have to match any of the circles.

Prism99

Wow! Really nice quilt top!!!

For the border, I'm thinking the circles would be set off well by adding a white border (in the background fabric), a thin strip of multi-colored fabric that has some of the quilt colors in it (print), and another white border. This would create a frame around the circles. I would keep the colored border a print, so it ties in to the other fabrics already used in the quilt. Does not need to be a fabric used in the quilt, though.

I think the black stripe would work well as a binding, especially if cut on the bias so the stripes run diagonally, candy cane style. If you decide to do this, I highly recommend heavily starching the fabric before cutting the strips, as it makes adding bias binding much easier by stabilizing the fabric. My method is to mix a 1:1 solution of Sta-Flo liquid laundry starch and water, "paint" the solution on with a large wall painting brush until the fabric is saturated, let sit for a few minutes so fabric can absorb the starch, toss in dryer, then iron with steam. If using the black and white fabric as a binding, I would keep the binding relatively narrow -- not more than half an inch showing on each side -- so as not to dominate.

The batting determines how much quilting is necessary. If you want to keep the circles unquilted (and I like this idea), be sure to choose a batting that allows quilting lines to be as far apart as the circles are wide. That way you could free-motion quilt around the circles and/or stitch-in-the-ditch on all the block seams (I would use a narrow zigzag for the SID; much more forgiving than a straight stitch). Batting also determines loft. Some people like comfort-style loft while others prefer the more antique crinkled look. Hobbs 80/20 is a really good choice for a beginning quilter -- not too high a loft, but not a flat antique look -- but I can't remember how far apart the quilting lines can be. If your circles are too wide, I would still use the Hobbs 80/20 and plan on FMQing flowers in the circles.

Edit: After looking again for awhile, I think you would be better off with a colored stripe for the binding. A colored stripe (can be a single color) would relate better to the body of the quilt. You would want a dark colored stripe -- picking up one of the colors in the quilt that you especially like.

alfosa421

Wow What a great looking quilt. I would use solid border of black and stitch around circles in wavy lines in black or other contrasting thread. It is a wonderful first baby quilt Congratulations!!!!!

busy fingers

Great job on the quilt. Fun and bright. I would use the b/w stripe for the binding and suggest as it is for a baby a cotton wadding(batting)

alisonquilts

I think that is a very cool top - congrats on a novel and beautiful design.

I would consider adding a border of a rainbow striped fabric if the top isn't as big as you want, but I think it will look just great without an added border. For backing I think I would go with a polka dotted fabric, just to keep the circle motif going, and I would quilt the white "negative" space on the front with different sized circles in white thread so there is a hint of texture but no color competing with the fabric circles. Binding would depend heavily on border/backing choices, for me...and I would make that decision at the very end!

Post pics when you finish it.

Alison

GailG

I agree with this. I think I would cut the stripe on the bias for interest. Great quilt. Those circles were a big challenge and you did an awesome job.

Sande

Krista, Prism99, Alfonsa421, Karen, Allison and Gail,

Thank you all so much for your creative comments. The juice is flowing now. I like the suggestion of quilting around the circles with wavy lines or circles using black thread. This sounds dramatic and will tie in with the black binding. Just got to figure out how to get my Brother to do the quilting. I hope I have the right presser foot. The top is a good size for a baby blanket so I think I will leave the border off and just do the binding. I like the idea of using polka dot fabric for the back. Oh, one other thing which I need to look into: how to personalize/sign the quilt on the back. I know there are post on the QB about this so I'll check this out.

I'll post some pics as soon as I finish which should be in the next few days.

Thank you, thank you, thank you

sandy l

What a great quilt, no suggestions for border/no border tho.

faykilgore

Great quilt! Clever use of novelty fabrics. Babies love black and white, so I usually do the backs of baby quilts in B&W when I use bright colors on the front.