Tuesday, June 16, 2015

Border Block

While working on my next scrap squad quilt and using up leftover Kansas Trouble fabrics, I unearthed a 2 year old UFO I really like. It just needs borders for heavens sake. It makes me so annoyed with myself, but I seem to have a persistent "border block" that I just have to get over.
From Patchwork Times
Sunny Side Up blocks




These lovely blocks on the left want to become the finished layout on the right.






Okay... first I have to do the psychological work....
*I remind myself that I really like this design and want it to be a finished quilt. I make that my goal.
*I remind myself that I have all the skills to get this done. Forget about all the border fiascos from the past. I am an experienced quilter now, and I can do this. 
*I remind myself that I tackled a really challenging seminole border this year, and with a minimum of swearing and crying, it all worked out!

Okay... now I have to do the physical work...
*math calculations (ugh) 
*the cutting (ugh)
*pinning (ugh)
*sewing (ahhhhh)

Easy peasy?
Nope....it's all about hard work and commitment, just like everything else that is worthwhile :)

27 comments:

Mary said...

I get that too! Looks fairly simple to add the strips and measure as you go adding each border 1 at a time. You can do it!

Lesley said...

Your blocks are fabulous. I think borders are my least favorite task in making a quilt. They always take so much more time and thought than I think they should. Good for you for tackling them!

julieQ said...

I really like this one so much! I get to a point on the borders where I just have to bull through and do it!

Razzle Dazzle Quilter said...

Yep the border thing can be a stopper. Perhaps that's why Judy constructs a lot of hers first Any way I'm leading your cheer team. You can do it!

Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow said...

They are lovely blocks....you can do it :)

Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow said...

They are lovely blocks....you can do it :)

Kathy ... aka Nana said...

Borders always seem to be a pain, even straightforward ones. But I'm confident that you can do this ... and look forward to seeing the finished quilt.

Katie said...

The design has such an interesting border. Give it a try. I would like to use this style myself. Sometimes I don't have enough fabric for a wide border but still need to add inches to increase the size. This would make good use of narrower strips. Thanks for sharing.

Quiltdivajulie said...

Like the way you broke it down ... Assessing whether you still WANT to turn the blocks into a quilt top or let them go out into the world for someone else to finish. Wanting to finish something makes the work a bit easier to push through. ...

Gretchen Weaver said...

Like Mary said, take it 1 border at a time. It is going to be very nice when completed.

Deanna W said...

Miss Bonnie Hunter would say "no whinning"!!! Come on girlfriend...it is just more fabric being sewn onto the top that you have already spent hours sewing straight seams. I know you can do it!!! Maybe you will be quilting this one at my house?!?!

cajunquilter said...

I hate the cutting. But it will be really pretty once you are done!

scraphappy said...

Borders can be such a long process. You do have the skills and the supplies to turn all those bits into a beautiful finished quilt. One at a time you are crossing them off the list.

Cheryl's Teapots2Quilting said...

I like the border idea from Patchwork times. It's really simple, once you look closely at it. Just strips, with 4 corners added. You can do it!!!!!!

Karen in Breezy Point said...

It's going to be a beautiful quilt--you can do it!!!

Cathy said...

We should all get a cheering squad going, complete with pom poms....... everyone together now...."Ya ya sis boom bah......... you can do it...... go Kathy!!"

Janet O. said...

This quilt is calling to me. Love chains and stars and KT fabrics. But I totally understand the border block. I suffer from the same thing. I wish you well in your fight to the finish! : )

Missy Shay said...

I really need to start making more fun borders, I don't like the math so I just do plain borders.

Sarah said...

I like the boarder design, it's such a gorgeous quilt you have to finish it and I know you will!!!!

Deb A said...

I've got the kids green pom pom's waving to cheer you on! One little border section at a time. Make a list of each of them and enjoy crossing each one off (oh yea, I am a list person!).
Good luck. I know you can do it.

Bees Knees Granny said...

I once taught several people to quilt (from cutting to binding in 6 lessons) by enlarging a single "Goose in the Pond" block to the size of a rectangular baby quilt. Perhaps you could overcome your "border block" by thinking of the border...as the edges of a block!

Robin said...

It's always amazing to me how long it takes to put borders on a quilt top. Much longer than it should!!!

AnnieO said...

I make most of my quilts borderless--they seem finished to me quite often with just binding. But I always need borders on table runners! Good luck on your border party.

Amy said...

I find it amusing how we all feel towards different parts of quilting.
For me-- bring on the math! I love to sit and figure out the calculations and geometry of it all. Although, the cutting and pinning, I'll "ugh" right along with you. In fact, make my "ugh" a double when it comes to pinning!
GORGEOUS quilt! Judy certainly created a glorious design.

Bonnie said...

But isn't it fun to "find" a quilt and all you have to do to finish is add the border/s? I have one quilt at the same place. And I only have one border, maybe two to put on it! I need to get that border on it because I want it on y bed.

Alycia~Quiltygirl said...

Oh Me too!!! I like it - you need to finish it ;-) ( did I help??)

Teresa in Music City said...

Ugh! Borders seem to stop me in my tracks every time!!! Even simple borders - no piecing involved. I just have this block and have to push myself to do them. The object lesson here? Don't be like me!!! Get out there and slap that border on there girlfriend and enjoy your finished quilt :*)