Opinions

Wow! You are a real artist Estelle. That is so clever - and ever so well done.

Border? I was captivated by the picture itself. I would go so far as to say that, not only does it not need a border, I would even give it a facing, so that it doesn't have to have a binding. There is something about it being seen through a space and 'knowing' that it goes on beyond what can be seen. I wouldn't want to seal off that imagery. Am I making sense? I often feel that a tiny slice of life (rather than a posed or placed picture) is better without a border. So much so, do I feel all that, that, if you did feel that it needed a border, I would do the tiniest little sliver of dark, and then extend the colours of the sea to the right, left and top (stopping the sides where the sea meets the beach), and then sand/beach colours on the remaining part of the sides and the bottom. But that would be if I were forced kicking and screaming to have them >gg< . In message , EstelleUK writes

It's absolutely beautiful, Estelle; looks like The Old Man and the Sea. . .

rusty

I vote with Pat- no border- no binding. PERFECT!!! Just as it is.

Leslie & The Furbabies in MO.

I vote 'no border' too. Don't think I've ever said that before but your creation just absolutely stands alone magnificently. Polly

Estelle, it's beautiful just as it. I admire your artistry and your ability to render an idea or image so beautifully and minimally. Gorgeous!

Sunny

You are a true artist! It's lovely and I had a good time looking at your other photos too. Donna

Thank you so much Donna.

It's absolutely beautiful, Estelle; looks like The Old Man and the Sea. . .

rusty

No - not birthing! Have you done any dressmaking? If not: a brief description. If you get any problem, just e-mail me.

I don't know the size. As it is less than 24", I would say you don't need a facing any wider than 3", that is a pretty good average sort of size to use. Cut four strips, each longer than the side it is to be sewn on, by about

4"each end - perhaps sky-ish coloured? or dark. The colour doesn't make any impact really, but it is visible at the very edge. Sew the strips to their sides, right sides together starting and finishing a smidgen more than a quarter of an inch from the corners. The final appearance depends very much on the next step: cut away the batting, very carefully, from the seam allowance and press this joining seam, very carefully, *open*. This means that, when you fold the facing strips to the back, you can get the fold line exactly on the seam line. If it doesn't quite work first time, it is worth re-pressing and doing it again. Press the raw edge a small bit under - quarter or half an inch is fine. Temporarily turn the strips back to the front and then join the corners with a mitre. At this point, do not let anything get loose! The effect is enhance by tightness (but not stretched). Turn the joined strips to the back and re-press.

It is much more difficult to write an explanation than to do it! I hope I have remembered to cover everything. If you want to see pictures, you might be able to find an online site that shows how to do a neck facing on a garment. That will show everything but the mitre. .

In message , EstelleUK writes

It's wonderful, Estelle. I wouldn't use a border. Your skills are considerable, and I really enjoyed looking at your pictures.

Musicmaker

Very nicely done, Estelle. I go along with the other Pat .... facing is the answer! In fact, when you first posted the question, I immediately thought "Facing as Pat S does!" (I am not sure why I did not respond then ..... either my response OR my brain is Lost In Space!)

Facing and many other cool finishes are described in this book: Fantastic Finishes; Rodale's Successful Quilting Library; © 1999 Rodale Press, Inc; Sarah Sacks Dunn Editor; ISBN 0-87596-760-4 (For hard cover; v 1:alk for paper cover) Amazon has several copies. Check in Rodale's Quilting Library for list. Anyhow, NAYY.

PAT in Virginia

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The only drawback in doing 'birthing' as opposed to facing is that you can't press the joining seam open; and it is that little press that gives you the chance to get the joining seam crisp and straight on the outside. .