Mystery Table Runner Border Update
Wednesday November 22, 2006
Have you been following the Mystery Table Runner project? I've nearly finished, but came to a stop just before adding the second border--I don't think it needs another border. I'd appreciate it if you would take a look and give me your feedback. This is a great example of leaving border choices until the very last. The look of a completed quilt top is sometimes very different from the look you expect!
POLL: How should I finish the table runner?
- Leave it as-is, just quilt and bind it
- Add the original border fabric
- Add a less busy border fabric, dark
- Add a less busy border fabric, light
- Add a narrow outer border, dark
- Add a narrow outer border, light
- Other - leave a blog comment
Comments
Thanks for amending the list to add more wide border options. I think a calmer fabric would nicely frame the runner. Now I just have to make one, to find out if I really like it best that way
I found mine too busy too when I put the fabric I had for the wide outer border. So now I put a 1/2 inch light strip (the same fabric as I have in the hst)then a narrow border. Now I have to decide what to bind it with.
I may use the original border fabric to back the runner–unless I have enough of one of the others.
I think I might like it better with a wider piece of the border stripe.
There are only two stripes on the fabric and both are the same size. I wonder though if there’s another stripe in the fabric group that’s similar, but wider. I’ll look into that.
For a completely different look, the stripe could be cut across the grain. We’d then have short vertical stripes and then maybe the original border would work. However, the holly would be less visual.
Hey Sandi, I actually tried that! And I kind of liked it. I need to see if the photo is on my computer at the office. It kind of made the table runner look like it was Christmas wrap–I can’t explain, but there was something kind of “peppermint sticky” about it. Kind of cool.
Oh Janet, I’m so excited that you gave this idea consideration.
I love putting “stripe-type” fabrics in a location such as this. It adds (another) characteristic to the project at hand. I’m sure that this is what I’ll be doing with mine.
Sandi
Sandi.. I’d love to display a picture of the runner if you’ll allow it. There’s a “submit your quilt” link under the “Pictures of Quilts” folder in the left hand column.
Hi there,
your table runner is fine just the way it is, but it depends on the size of the table your going to use it on. That should tell you if it needs another border.
Sue
I think you should leave it the way it is. Love the look, I havent had a chance to get the material yet but will soon. I can’t wait to make one for myself. Denise.
I love the runner without the border, but if you have a large table the original border would make an elegant statement. Judy
Hi Love Mysterys.Had a lot of fun doing this one. I didn’t put on the corner triangles I let mine pointed on the ends & I just put a binding on It.It was going to be to wide with borders for I was putting It Thanks Dot
The table I planned to use it on is large, but I kind of like it without the extra border, so I might use it in another way. I need to play around with it using other fabrics, just to see what it will look like.
Dorothy, I’d love to see it. I thought mine looked really good before I put the corners on and wondered about adding a wider border print around the angled edges. There are so many ways to go with this that it’s hard to decide!
Janet, I think for my personal taste the original outer border needs to be there, it helps to “contain” your design. The light half-square triangles does not “jump” out at you when the wider border with lighter areas (flowers) are added. I think the design is too heavy for a smallm thin border. Just my opinion though!!
Trienie Krugel, South Africa
I really appreciate everyone’s ideas and opinions. I’m still kicking it around to try and decide what to do.
I think you should leave it the way it is.It is very effective
Janet…….Unfortunately I don’t have the means to be able to post a picture. Thanks for asking, though. Good luck in whatever you decide for your finished runner. It will be awesome.
Janet–I agree with some of the others that the origial wide border needs to be there. Although the narrow bordered version is pleasing, it does seem imbalanced (or is it me?!:)) The original fabric you showed makes the whole deisgn seem richer with more depth. But, then again, you could do a million different versions now couldn’t you!! Good luck, and I look forward to seeing the final results.
I like the runner so far. I put the wide border. When will see the next step or the end. I am anxious.
Thanks for the fun.
Pauline
I love the runner as is, when choosing the binding use a dark less busy binding and it will set off the border print.
I like table runners with diamond or triangles on the ends rather than squared off. I may modify the size, adding another section to center and leave ends pointed…..quilter 12345
Hi, some of the people who have made the runner have left the setting squares off the ends — and they look great!
Hi, Janet! I love the runner; but haven’t gotten to make it, yet. Hope to soon. I was thinking the center triangles would really pop out if you made a wide border of the red poinsettias you used in the center. But, then, you used those for the corner squares and I don’t think that would work so well. It might if you left them off and mitered the corners instead. Another option I like is to use the dark material used for the dark triangles and make a smaller border to finish off. Whatever you do, I look forward to seeing your finished project and thanks for all you do for us on line.