Monday, March 8, 2010

pillow talk swap... opinions needed!

so a while back i joined the pillow talk swap
hosted by heather & kerri over on flickr

i got a few ideas...
tried them and changed plans...
and had today set as the deadline in my calendar.. so i really started thinking & working on it over the weekend... i uploaded the below photos to flickr & began to panic when i didn't get answers right away...
until.
i realized that the actual deadline is wednesday.. and not today.
phew.

this is why i self impose earlier deadlines!

so now i have time to ask all of you...


the base is linen... quilted with variegated green & brown thread

the blue flower is made with kona crush.. the purple thread is just basting thread to keep the flower together... it isn't attached yet.

option #1.
keep it simple.. just one flower.

option #2.
add a ruffle w/ kona solid and a structured piece of linen in the center
& add a flower in kona solid.

option #3.
overlap the flowers on the ruffle


other ideas i had...
add a print?
keep it solid?
a border? 


fyi.
the flower was inspired by these pillows from target.
but i didn't want to make the same thing you could buy...


so tell me your thoughts...
so i can work on this pillow tonight!!
thanks ;-)

42 comments:

Anne at Film and Thread said...

Those Target pillows are really nice looking. I am not a fan of the ruffle, but I like the idea of more flowers than one. I like the overlapping flowers, but maybe more than two. I think it needs an odd number of flowers. The colors are fantastic.

Kris said...

Those are fabulous inspiration pillows! I like the simplicity of the first design, but I think I like the idea of more than just one so there's a little more color variation. I love the way you quilted it!

Sarah Vanderburgh said...

I like the third option you posted. It fills the whole pillow top for the design as if you were using a print. I have a hard time using just solids so I like it, but wonder what if. . .?! Thanks for asking for our humble opinions. I'm sure you'll receive many. Good luck!

Nancy said...

What fun to help . . . I would choose option three because there is a vertical elements and horizonal element. it is balanced and looks great . . . run with it . . . good luck
Nancy in AZ

Katie Bishop said...

I too like option 3 best. I don't know, I just think it looks like it has enough detail but not too much! Good luck!

Angela Nash said...

As I went down the page, each one was awesome and then the next one better! I think I like #3 the best - but they're all great!

Dresden Quilter said...

I like #3 the best.

Lynz said...

Number 3! The ruffle grounds the flower(s) where they overlap and you get some nice white space top right. It looks gorgeous!

Rebekah said...

I like the first one best...I think the ruffle takes away from the flower

mascanlon said...

I'm with the majority here and go with option 3. But if you had some of the fabulous bird prints that have been around lately, like Anna Maria Horner's on the cream background with a solid flower, hmm, I'm going go give that a try myself I think.
I worked on swaps too yesterday, now the Kaffe Fassett blocks have to go off to Paris today.

Chelsea said...

While all of the options are gorgeous, I think #3 is my favorite. But if you want to send the "rejects" my way feel free! Haha ;)

audrey said...

I love option 3! Keep it solid too because if you tossed a print in there it has the potential to look too busy.

Leslie said...

i think i like option 2 the best....using the extra ruffle and flower looks pretty

Jewel said...

I like the composition of number 3 best. In the end do what makes you happy.

Needled Mom said...

Looks like #3 is the winner, but I like #2 best. They are all lovely!

Amy B said...

Love #3

Jenniffier said...

I like #3.

Beth said...

I like the simplest one the best -- #1!

CitricSugar said...

Keep it simple. Number 1 is beautiful. 2 and 3 are quite busy.

Unknown said...

FANTASTIC Julie!!! I LOVE the flowers overlapping the ribbon... such a great concept!! ;)

XO, Heather

natalie. beyond the reef said...

Love the materials, of course! The textures, the breakout. Most of the comments echo my own thoughts - either really simple - one, or crazy ruffle and MORE flowers. Definitely odd numbers 3,5,7...Enjoy no matter what! (make a series of them to throw on the bed to announce the coming of spring!)

yahaira said...

Im torn between option 3 and 1 but with more flowers.

Valerie said...

I vote for simple---with piping to match the flower. If you're set on a ruffle...perhaps a discreet ruffled edge and no piping?

ilovebabyquilts said...

I like #2

Miss Dream USA said...

I agree with Valerie #1 with matching piping.

Angie and Michelle said...

#2 I think. #1 is too simple and #3 is too busy. Love it!

Burgundy Buttons said...

I am a photographer and typically shoot using the rule of thirds- so option #3 calls to me!

Meghan said...

Option #2 is my favorite. I love your take on the Target pillows. Can't wait to see it when you've finished!

Mary said...

I like #2, and I'd say keep it solid . . . the flowers are awesome!

Danielle said...

I think #3 is the best looking! But they are all very pretty....

Mary said...

I love the first one the best. I think it would fit into the most settings plus I just like it.

Kelly O. said...

I think the ruffle should be replaced by a strip of a patterned fabric. and a grouping of 3 flowers or the two overlapping.
Just my 2 cents

Kelly O. said...

oh and piping--definately piping :)

OrangeRoom said...

I really like the 2 flowers overlapping the ruffle. Very cute. Great colors!

Anonymous said...

What about #2 with blue piping down the sides of the linen/ruffle strip & blue piping on the pillow edge? Yes, I love piping!

Anonymous said...

Ok, I like #1 best in its simplicity...The finish could be a big fat corded piping or scallops done like prairie points. Not a fan of the ruffle in this application. Will look forward to seeing the finish. Kristy in Ohio

Christine said...

Oh pretty! My fave is number one- simple, clean. Maybe with a white border? :) Christine

susan said...

I vote for #2 if it isn't too late to have my input counted. With the flowers overlapping it looks busier, but #1 is just a little too plain for me.

Caro said...

Keep it simple - solids only I think is best. Great job.

Marcia W. said...

I like the idea of using 3 flowers (odd number), no ruffles on the side, and you could make the third flower (use the 2 you have already) in a print with touch more contrast. Don't overlap the flowers too much or you will lose the flower impact.
Still, if I were buying a pillow, would like any of your options.

Monet said...

I prefer option two. I can't wait to see the finished product!

Tonya said...

I can see I am already way out voted, but I like the first one best. It's simple and understated and would play nicely with other pillows instead of overpowering them.
tonyadusold.blogspot.com