Quilt Borders. Part 2
Almost any pieced block can have a special border unit evolved from it which
harmonizes with the design - triangle borders exactly suit some, others could
use alternate color squares or pin wheels and squares; there is an old-
fashioned one called "Tile Border" which is really just little "Necktie" blocks
with the center square only in dark or contrasting color. "Spools" also makes a
clever patchwork border, as does diagonally placed dark squares, filled in to
the outer edges with light triangles either side.
One of the most elaborate quilts that I have ever seen, a real museum piece,
has no less than ten borders around a gorgeous applique and embroidered center.
The owner calls it "Framed Medallion" and surely it is. One border is a double
row of light and dark Zig-Zag so placed as to give a dark ric-rac effect on
light, another flanks triangles with diamonds, alternating position each time
and meeting in four most precise corners of two diamonds each. There are bands
of print between pieced borders, one border is even appliqued and the widest
one pieced of eight-pointed stars is about seven inches wide.
A pieced border which scallops is given with the "Friendship Ring" pattern.
Applique borders are more usual on quilts of their kind than pieced ones are on
patchwork. There are the scallops that sometimes add onto a straight edge
quilt and sometimes match a cut edge. These may run a sequence of color
overlays as green for an outer scallop with rose and pink over it for a rose
applique. There is a scallop cutting pattern with "Double Irish Cross" which
may be extended to become an exact multiple of your quilt edge. If your quilt
is 90 inches long the scallop might be 9, 10, or 15 inches, or even 13, by a
trifle of manipulating. The scallop itself is often scalloped into little
unevennesses, or may drop in a sort of triple curve. These are apt to be rather
heavy, awkward looking additions, rather reminiscent of the funeral hearse when
ponderous tassels hang between. Sometimes the tops met in a totally inadequate
little tulip looking like a crowned tooth, or other times this join was
weighted down with princess plumes or great green oak leaves.
A well proportioned scallop, one in keeping with the quilt pattern in
daintiness, color, and curve may be the loveliest possible finish for your
quilt. One is suggested with the pattern called "Rose Cross." Roses, Fleur-de-
lis, leaves, plumes and tassels may be used with the applique scallops, but
restraint and a feeling for design are cautioned to mix well with them "before taking."
Most satisfactory of all applique borders, in my opinion, are the running vine
types. These may have a stem cut on a continuing "S" shape, or use regulation
bias tape which accommodates itself to any curve. On this foundation
beautiful borders are builded, with leaves at precise angles, with flowers
above the bend or grapes below. Tulips made of three petals and 3 layer roses
notched around like a cooky-cutter are favorites in keeping with the antique
feeling in appliques. These, with certain buds, big and little, were favorites always.
|