I really ned help on a backing....
03-11-2012, 05:57 AM
#33
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Northfield, MN
Posts: 339
my thought are: it was made by an Amish woman. They do not use printed fabric on their quilts as they are plain people. Look at their clothing... they don't even use buttons or zippers.
However, the quilting on bed quilts can be extremely heavy and very intricate. I would never cut down the borders. I would have somebody quilt very wide feathers in the borders, and in the blocks quilt 8 point stars, fruit bowls, feathered circles... all in black thread. It is lovely as it is, even unquilted. I would treasure a quilt top from an Amish woman. I would even hand quilt it. That is what they truly deserve.
Please check out books on the Amish, and Amish quilting before you go about turning what truly is a lovely blank canvas into a nightmare.
Anita in Northfield, MN
However, the quilting on bed quilts can be extremely heavy and very intricate. I would never cut down the borders. I would have somebody quilt very wide feathers in the borders, and in the blocks quilt 8 point stars, fruit bowls, feathered circles... all in black thread. It is lovely as it is, even unquilted. I would treasure a quilt top from an Amish woman. I would even hand quilt it. That is what they truly deserve.
Please check out books on the Amish, and Amish quilting before you go about turning what truly is a lovely blank canvas into a nightmare.
Anita in Northfield, MN
Last edited by anita211; 03-11-2012 at 06:00 AM.
03-11-2012, 06:38 AM
#34
Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Las Cruces, New Mexico
Posts: 155
I like your idea of reducing the border, but what you do depends on your skills and how much effort you want to put into it. As has been said, you have a blank canvas and the possibilities are endless. If you want to keep it Amish, stay with solids. If you don't care about that, choose nearly any fabrics you like. Treat what you have the same as if it were white, except that if you add really light colors might need an interfacing to keep the background from showing through. Have fun with it.
03-11-2012, 08:30 AM
#36
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Aloha, Oregon
Posts: 421
I like JJean's idea. I would try to maintain the simplicity of the gift. The odds of seeing this family again are probably pretty good since they are good enough friends to give you such a beautiful quilt. Their feelings might be hurt if you added applique, etc. to it. You could ask their advice on how to best finish it. They might be thrilled to offer suggestions.
03-11-2012, 08:58 AM
#38
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Leesburg, Florida
Posts: 817
I think that would be a great idea. Find a great theme of patterns and applique them on. Then match up the back to whatever theme you choose for the front.
I think that I would find some cute applique patterns and place them in the big blue squares. Or pick some large quilt patterns to fill in the squares. I can see using primary colors for a kids room. Or using it for a picnic "blanket" or you could bring it to the ball field. The possibilities are endless! Good luck with this.
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