What do you think?

My first thought is that the alter frontal will mostly be viewed from a distance and most churches are not brightly lit. Will all your effort truly show up from a distance in shades of cream or should you do to a slightly deeper color- maybe venture into some lighter beiges or frame the Jennie work with a deeper color (deeper beige or even one of the liturgical colors???) to emphasize it? It sounds lovely but I have nothing to offer other than that. Sorry.

Leslie & The Furbabies in MO.

My next not-for-me project is another altar frontal. This time for the tiny church I go to since I moved. I thought the design was complete, but I had half another idea, and I wonder what you think:

The background of the basic frontal will be an off-white/ivory damask (I have already found and bought this). It is paler than I had anticipated, but so lovely I couldn't leave it in the shop! This will be fairly un-ornamented except for two columns of blocks, each set about 18" from the side. These are two-colour, dimensional blocks (Jennie Rayment) and I intend to do them in two colours of cream. I had thought of using the same two creams for this whole pieced section. Yesterday, it occurred to me that as long as there was a clear difference between the creams, I could use different fabrics in each block. As I am much more 'regimented' than most of you, I was doubtful about the final overall effect. So, I thought I would ask you what you all thought?

It won't be quite as boring as overall pale cream sounds! as there will be a 'pelmet' (only way I can think to describe it) kind of thing across the top. This will not be attached to the base and will be made up of seven 9" blocks (dictated by the width of the altar) in the four main liturgical colours, each block having a contrasting appliqué of a Christian symbol.

I am sure you are auditioning everything together. And it sounds like with it all in the same color family, it will work together. From a distance in the little church, probably it will not be so pronounced as you may be fearing, and will beg for closer inspection by many.

Trust your sense of color, it sounds fine to me!

G> My next not-for-me project is another altar frontal. =A0This time for the

I tried to think with you, Pat, but my mind stalled right with the word 'damask'. My little knowledge of damask is that it may/may not have a design woven in and has a sheen that turned one way or another could be much like a 'nap' color change effect. Your plan sounds quite wonderful; wish Yogi and I could come watch you plan and create something so lovely. Polly

"Ginger in CA" < I am sure you are auditioning everything together. And it sounds like with it all in the same color family, it will work together. From a distance in the little church, probably it will not be so pronounced as you may be fearing, and will beg for closer inspection by many.

Trust your sense of color, it sounds fine to me!

G> My next not-for-me project is another altar frontal. This time for the

No need for a sorry, Leslie; your comment confirms for me that the darker cream - or whatever - should go on the outer strips and the lighter one for the corner pieces. I will do some auditioning, as Ginger suggests - as I was so 'settled' (or so I thought!) I hadn't thought of auditioning (sounds crazy I know ... >gMy first thought is that the alter frontal will mostly be viewed from a

As I just said to Leslie, I *hadn't thought of auditioning, until you mentioned it! As I have the main fabric, it is, of course the best step to do next. I will now be interested to see how things look, when I set them all out. Far, far better than working in the abstract - when there's no need to! Thanks Ginger. . In message , Ginger in CA writes

Thanks Sandy. I surprised myself! - it is almost as if I am verging on the scrappy >g< Whatever next!! When I have cleared my table, I'll be keen to see what they all look like together. I'm definitely moving towards the multi-cream solution. Photos will take a while, as I have a small team (three) to help. I will be doing all the piecing and placing of any appliqué, and will hand it over to the embroiderers for the hand stitching of the rolled edges and appliqué. They asked me at the meeting if I had a date for its finish in mind! The church is dedicated to the Sacred Heart. So I said - the feast of the Sacred Heart 2012 (sometime in June usually). I should be OK with that time frame. . In message , Sandy writes

For 'Damask', Polly, think white tablecloths. They are usually damask. Or look it up on Google Images. It does indeed have a design woven in. The one I bought is (I think) intended as a bridal gown fabric. It is very lovely, and it won't matter that I will have to use it sideways (to get the width), as the design is not a very clearly defined one. I shall use it in one piece, or I would be nervous of the 'nap' effect. You and Yogi will be welcome any time. You have a year to plan your trip - at least! . In message , Polly Esther writes

Thanks Estelle (good to hear from you). Any pictures will be stage pictures. Nothing will be put together for a long time I fear! I will keep a proper record though - to see if I can do all the wonderful systematic pictures that so many of friends here can do. . In message , EstelleUK writes

The coloured strip will really be the focus, as it will change as the feasts come and go. We will be into purple next week and so the strip would be purple. The contrasting colour I am using for that will be silver grey. The green will be contrasted with gold; the white will also be with gold and the red will be with a rich dark cream (not as pale as the basic frontal itself). I love your word 'sculptured'. That is exactly how I am picturing it; but I didn't have the nous to think of the word. Thanks so much - I will now adopt it.

I will put the stage pictures on my Flickr site and let you know as and when they appear. . In message , Roberta writes