Wednesday was my mom’s birthday. I have said many times before that my mom is my inspiration. I grew up watching her make quilts and sew clothes and I never really had any interest until my niece was born 11 years ago. This year I had a goal to make my mom a very special quilt. I joined 2 different Bees, 3×6 and 4×5 on Flickr and began collecting blocks from my bee mates and from myself. On her birthday I sent her the following text message:
“Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday dear Mom, Happy Birthday to you!” (with this picture attached)
(no, my logo wasn’t on the text message! LOL)
My original plan had been to sash each block in either white or gray, but there are several different shades of gray and I didn’t want the white blocks to be extra white, so I decided to eliminate sashing altogether. So my question to you all is…I have 4 extra blocks, I could make one more and add a 6th row. Here are the blocks below at the bottom.
What do you all think? I’m just not sure. My next move will be to add borders, I plan to do a black border around it, mainly to draw in all the different shades of white and gray. Then I will do a medium gray border and then do a solid purple border.
And in case anyone is wondering…my mom loved it!
What an amazing gift for your mom! My mom taught me everything I know about sewing as well so I can relate! I always think that bigger is better… 🙂
What about using the 4extra blocks on the backing?… If not, I’d make one last one. A snugly and GORGEOUS quilt can never be too big!
Great work – I think I want to make one for my mom now!
It looks great!! I agree about using the extra blocks on the back — or you could make another block and put it in to complete the row.
What a special, special gift!!! I know she will love it. 🙂
I would use those blocks on the back. I love a quilt back that has character. I would not use them on the front. Make one more block for the back and embroider a message to your mom, that would make the quilt PRICELESS!
It’s lovely! Oh so lovely with all those different blocks from around the world.
My first thought with the extra 4 was corner blocks, along with the black and purple borders, so if the blocks are 12 then both borders together equal 12.
Can’t wait to see if finished.
You have a Lucky Mom. Your plan sounds good. I would have put that SWOON block in the middle somewhere. It just looks kid of lost on the corner. JMHO. I like Jessica’s idea of corner blocks too.
Love the quilt and so glad I could be a part of it! I like the idea of using the extras on the backing! Glad she loved it! 🙂
Melissa, this is such a BEAUTIFUL quilt! Georgous! Are shades of purple her favorite colors? Really amazing and I love the block variety. Very special. I like the idea of doing an interesting backing with the blocks that are left, either 3 or 5 blocks…I think that odd numbers always look best. I would love to see them asymmetrical or scattered on the solid background. Just a thought……xxx
Oh what a wonderful birthday present from a daughter. Personally I would not add the extra blocks on the bottom. It almost makes it too much. What about adding them on the back or making pillows with them. Or a purse would be cool too. What ever you come up with it will be awesome.
I agree with the others….this is incredible! I was thinking as I read that the four would make great corner blocks in your borders, but then I saw the comments on using them on the back — that would be so cool!
I know that whatever you decide will be stunning and your mom will treasure it!
Absolutely beautiful! I agree with everyone on the back or adding one more. .
Lots of good ideas. What about on the back at the four corners with a fifth one in the center with the message embroidered on it?
What’s not to love!!!! It is fabulous!!!
Beautiful quilt blocks! If you need the extra length then I would make one more block but if not I agree with others…….put them on the back. I love the colors you will use for borders, this will be so neat for your mom!
Cool, no wonder she loved it! I suppose it depends on how long you want it and how long it will be with the borders and an extra row. If it becomes giant sized, pop them on the back, otherwise add another row on the front 🙂
It is gorgeous Melissa! I agree with the other comments that either adding them to the front or back will work great. I think it is such an interesting quilt with all those different blocks with the various shades of purple and gray holding them together – beautiful!
What a special quilt that will be. I guess you might want to see how big she wants it.
What a great quilt! I agree with using the blocks on the back, maybe in a row, or even scattered?
I was thinking some sashing around the blocks to make a matching pillow would be good. Two gifts for the price of one!
What a treasure…your Mom is Blessed…but I can tell that you are totally Blessed by your Mom and Dad too…HOW COOL IS THAT!!
I like making another row…or using them as corner stones…I also like making my extra blocks into pillows that match my quilts. Not sure if you had thought of something like that.
I pray your Mom’s Birthday was awesome!
Blessings,
Kellie
It’s gorgeous! And you probably already know my answer….extra blocks on the back. 🙂
I say it totally depends on which you want to do. Either make another block to finish another row OR use the four extra blocks in the backing. (I love having a happy surprise on the back of the quilt.)
I love the extra row, what binding will you use? that is what I would look at before I decided the border color. I am a binding buff, I love it mixed up. I also think if you didnt add the extra row, you put it on the back of the quilt for flare..
I guess you just have to decide if you want a square or rectangular quilt. I think itd look great with or without the extra row.