Heirloom binding?

Den 23-11-2012 16:07, Polly Esther skrev:

I think fading is always a bit unpredictable - the reds of the past could fade to a brown that seemed to have nothing to do with red...

I'd probably try to think not only about how fast a colour fades, but also what colour it fades to. Only I have no idea about these things!

Safest bet: pick a colour that is good now and train heirs to switch out worn bindings :-)

My first quilt was 10 this Summer, and is still in good condition (despite the usual wash, dryer, picnic, tent, cape etc use). No fading although the flannel on the back is not as furry as it once was.

Hanne in DK

Could you use your 'trademark' yellow? Would the colours of the quilt allow? Perhaps a sky blue wouldn't fade too much? However, I don't think fading need be an issue: a gently softer colour would probably continue to be attractive; and, if the binding faded, then the rest of the quilt probably would too? If you want a dark colour for the binding, perhaps a lovely forest green that might fade to a still lovely green. The only colour I wouldn't use, I think, is black. That can fade to many different colours - none of them particularly lovely. Think of the way academic gowns can look after some years - usually a dirty dark green colour with splodges of brown! Maybe a burgundy red might not fade too prettily either - though that is only a hunch. I agree with Hanne, though. Use a binding which enhances it now, and let the future take care of itself! . In message , Polly Esther writes

Only hope of that is if one of the grandsons marries a quilter. Polly

"Hanne in DK" wrote> Den 23-11-2012 16:07, Polly Esther skrev:

I would think your Christmas quilt would only be used a month or two each year? That should make it last a long time on it's own as long as you store it safely- a whole 'nuther subject.

I like the idea of a batik because they tend to be a stouter fabric than some cottons. You can test what color a fabric will fade into by dropping some diluted bleach on a scrap.

The quilt sounds wonderful- YAY for Polly!

Leslie & The Furbabies > Bear with me while I have a fit. The Christmas quilt that Louise longarmed >

Don't give up just yet :-) How old are they?

Hanne in DK

Den 23-11-2012 17:07, Polly Esther skrev:

Den 23-11-2012 16:07, Polly Esther skrev:

Thinking a bit more:

Would the binding FADE more than the rest of the quilt? Maybe wear, but I don't imagine fade.

So just go with what fits with the quilt, and the top and the binding will fade together.

Hanne in DK

Thank you, Louise, for posting the photo! What a glorious, wonderful quil t! Most certainly a family heirloom in the making. I'd choose a deep re d to match the border- a textural type batik with some deep green, blue, et c. in the batik. And there are some amazing batiks out there... any one o f them would be honored to finish this fantastic quilt.

Congrats, Polly. You've outdone yourself.

Leslie & The Furbabies in MO.

I think I would avoid anything that is a great contrast with the border. You probably don't want the binding to draw the eyes away from the center of the quilt. I would probably use the same red as the border or a blue or green of similar intensity.

Julia > Bear with me while I have a fit. The Christmas quilt that Louise

Did y'all notice the lower part of the quilt has the words "they were coming from afar"???

LOVE it!

Leslie & The Furbabies in MO.

Polly- Here's a link to those hilariously awful quilts plus her current contest-

Certainly did! . In message , Leslie & The Furbabies in MO. writes

LOL and WaaaHAHA. Thank you Leslie. If you're in a big hurry, at least go see Florida. If that doesn't make you bellylaugh, your face is frozen and you need help. The mitered corner just cracks me up. Polly

On Sat, 24 Nov 2012 23:56:19 -0500, Polly Esther wrote (in article ):

Beautiful. That is the prettiest quilt I have ever seen.

Polly, I would echo the black border and use black....but that's me. Yellow is too selfish and would draw the eye away from the quilt. Or, if you have a nice Christmas fabric with all the colors used that would work too.