Tuesday, August 29, 2006

Checkerboard borders...
















Earlier this summer I shared this log cabin top and mentioned that I wanted to make checkerboard borders - and here is my progress, so far! I keep a little stack of these strips/squares next to my machine and every time I sit down, I try to zip a few through. The other day I realized that I just might have enough pieced together so I checked - almost! The idea is a solid red border (about 3.5"), checkerboard border, skinny red border - send to long arm quilter!

I really don't like to do borders! I love to make blocks because they are smaller units, but when it comes to piecing the blocks into rows and adding borders... sigh! I've been rotating my projects around and now, since I haven't started anything new, I have almost all of them up to the border stage. OK, I guess I have a few borders to plow through and then the tops will be done, and then I can start something new!
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27 comments:

Melanie said...

I love the checkered border! It really adds to the quilt. And it changes it to more than just a log cabin quilt. I like pieced borders because I never have ideas for the solid ones.

Melanie

Doodlebug Gail said...

Love the checkered border and the red frame will be lovely.

Hedgehog said...

The checkered border is great! I don't like borders, either. I like piecing the blocks best! Very few of my quilts have borders for this very reason.

Silverthimble said...

The addition of your checkerboard border adds such interest to this quilt. Are you going to add a narrow outside border afer the checkerboard? It is a great stabilizer to the over all quilt and all the seams in that checkerboard border.

The Calico Cat said...

nice quilt in the works!

Pam said...

I love pieced borders and your checkerboard border is wonderful. yes, just get those borders on and ship this out to be quilted. You are doing great at getting your projects moved along.

Passionate Quilter said...

I'm with you on the borders thing--so boring to do. I love your checkerboard border--unusual to see on a log cabin, but I love what it does for it! I had to make tons of checkerboards last year (1300+) and I did them like you, every time I sat down, I did a few and did them as my leaders/enders and pretty soon, they are all done.

quiltpixie said...

its amazing which pieces each quilter finds her "stumbling block". Glad you're persevering through the borders as this one is looking great. It'll be really stunning with the red border I expect. :-)

Quilts And Pieces said...

Oh but that checkerboard border looks wonderful! So dont' stop now!!! Yeah, I always hate borders too! But this looks wonderful! I love it!

KC Quilter said...

Oh, that checkerboard border just makes the quilt! Beautiful job.

Darcie said...

That is going to be a delightful looking quilt, Evelyn! You keep going now...you're almost finished!

Shirley said...

Love the border it will make the quilt but the tennis shoes in the doorway is what made me giggle, where is little one?

Linda C said...

oh, Evelyn, I can feel your pain--they are all at the same stage and the one part you don't like near as much. Tough sledding.

What a fun border on this one and red will be just perfect between!

floribunda said...

I can't wait to see a picture of the whole thing with the red included -- looks great so far!

Laurie Ann said...

I agree! Once I get them to the block stage I tend to set them aside. Smaller is more fun!

Jenni said...

You're nearly there. It is going to look great!

Gail said...

Wonderful choices for your borders, it will be a knockout!

Bonnie said...

Ah, but that border is smashing! A lot of us don't like doing borders, but once they get done I think we are all happy we made the effort. With your red border and the checkerboard you quilt will be fabulous.

Sweet P said...

So many people have been talking about problems with borders. You seemed to have solved it on your log cabin. Next time I ready to make borders I'll have to try something different. Thanks for the inspiration.

Cher said...

like everyone, I love the checkerboard border...it really adds zing to this top..and a great stashbuster as well! good luck in pushing onward in getting borders on all these tops..

ForestJane said...

Looking good!

I think your checkerboard makes a super frame for your cabins. :)

Susan said...

I couldn't picture it before, but seeing it on the floor like that, it is going to be great!

Joyce said...

Great checkerboard frame. Good way to make leaders and enders I think.

Inga said...

The checkerboard matches this quilt perfectly. I love it!

Inga

Granny said...

I would never have thought of adding the checkerboard border but it is fantastic with that quilt!

Judy L.

Shelina said...

This is a beautiful quilt and the checkerboard border is just great. I think having a pieced border is a good way to get away from doing borders. Just think of it as a row of blocks.
Personally I think borders is one of the easier parts. Just throw some long pieces of fabric on, and consider it done. It is something I hardly ever think about because I am so close to completion.
I'm glad you took the time to plan yours out and came up with such a terrific plan.

Finn said...

Love the checkerboard border Evelyn..the quilt is spectacular and the border is impressive!! I think you hit the nail on the head for sure..*VBS* It's a great quilt! Hugs, Finn