Saturday, March 14, 2009

the beginnings of a bento box quilt

I finally started my bento box quilt and I'm having color doubts...

I'm not sure if I love the brown in the mix. Is the brown is too dark? Does it jump out too much?

Here it is without any brown. Does it lack a certain zing that the brown brings to the mix?

Since it will be going on my bed, maybe the brown fabric will be the key to tie everything together once it's done and on the bed?

What do you think?

210 comments:

1 – 200 of 210   Newer›   Newest»
Rossie said...

What about mixing some lighter browns into the first mix?

Sidney said...

I like the dark brown. I agree with Food Lady in that a transitional brown in the mix might soften the POP of the dark brown. The second combination does seem a little bland in comparison,doesn't it?

katieP said...

I love it with the dark brown don't change it!

Monica said...

The layout without the brown almost looks like a baby or child's quilt. The dark brown gives a bit of sophistication to it.

Esther Gregory said...

I agree, I think the dark brown is awesome. The sharper contrast almost makes me think of computer art. Very contemporary and hip.

Unknown said...

the brown makes it "pop". I wouldn't lose it.

soggybottomflats said...

Keep the brown in. I agree, it needs "something" and the brown does make it pop.

HisBeloved said...

I love the brown! Keep it by all means. :D

jenifer said...

yup. i vote for the brown... think room not just quilt...

Unknown said...

I agree with jennifer. I like the brown and it will be nice in your room!

Unknown said...

P.S. Any chance of a tutorial on a Bento Box Quilt? Or just a block?

Helene said...

I thought it was too much with the brown, but it looks like something is missing without the brown!
After looking at both for a while, I think I prefer with the brown. It gives that little punch that you have in all your quilts!
Bottome line, whatever you will be choosing I am certain it will be beautiful... can't wait to see the final decision!
Helene

Jessica said...

At first I wasn't all that fond of the brown, but agree that without it, there is a certain something missing....then I got up to let the dog out and as I was walking back to the computer that first picture just POPPED off the page and it was stunning. So I've changed my mind and have become a fan of the brown! :D

Catherine said...

I agree, I like the brown it adds a little punch.

Mara said...

I vote for no brown! It makes it look too choppy. How about a darker shade of green or a darker shade of blue, instead? And your current quilt on your bed does not have brown and it looks awesome that way.

That's my two cents :)

Anonymous said...

Super cool... with the brown... love it!! I love the Bento Box pattern... it's on my to do list... Lx

msalleycat said...

I personally like the dark brown, but I'm also a fan of high contrast. One thing you could consider is what color or value are the furnishings in your bedroom. If you tied it into a certain wood tone, it might be very chic as the end result.

Anonymous said...

I really like the contrast of the brown. I wouldn't change a thing.

sandra said...

I'm voting for the brown, very bland without it.

Tammy in Ontario, Canada said...

I like it both ways but I vote for the brown because brown and green/blue is so nice and really in at the momment. Keep it with the brown.

Hannah said...

Leave the brown in. Once you get it on the bed, it will look even better.

Korbi said...

the dark brown definitely makes it pop and gives it a 3-D look, I love it!

Sandra @ The Memory Workshop said...

I like the brown!

Alissa said...

I too like the brown. Sometimes if I find a color pops more than the others it helps to bind the quilt in that same dark color. "Framing" the quilt that way can tie it all together!

Anonymous said...

I don't like the dark brown so much on the quilt because it seems disjointed from the other colors, how about a lighter brown instead of the darker one that can still contrast and give punch but just not be so stark a contrast?

Ida13 said...

What do you think about more brown? Thd middle (light?) green doesn't seems better,than brown at all to me.

Cindy said...

I'm going to toss in my 2 cents, but I love brown with the turquoise colors. So, I vote for brown.

dutchcomfort said...

Love the contrast of the brown!
Maybe no greens but more aqua’s and brown?

Sarah said...

I agree...the brown adds some sophistication to the mix. Love that pattern!

Dallas said...

I love that pattern. And the fabrics you chose look so fresh and clean. I like it with the brown - I think it breaks it up just a little bit more and feels crisper than just the blue and green.

Stine said...

KEEP THE BROWN...it will look great with the bed headboard!

Leah said...

I love it with the brown - but think maybe the positioning of them needs adjusting.

The boxes at the bottom have a lot of the brown around the outside of the boxes whislt the boxes at the top only have little bits on the inner rings

Karen said...

I like the brown. I thought I'd be alone on that in the comments, but surprised to see otherwise!

After seeing the quilt with the brown, the one w/o looks a little dull.

Andi said...

Just to be different .... I don't like the brown.
Don't hate me!!!
I agree that the depth of the brown colour gives the quilt a bit of oomph. But does it have to be brown? What about purple? Or red?
Andi :-)

mariarrosa said...

I knew, I knew I was going to love it. I like very much both, but I thing I like more without the brown (I know it is not the most popular choice).

Mercedes said...

with brown , withough doubt. If I can help

Barbara J said...

No browns for me ... I am thinking of a medium to dark grey to keep the pop factor.

Laural said...

I love it with the brown!

DIDI said...

At first I thought it looked awkward with brown, but after having seen your bed photo I think it's my favourite. The brown touch is daring and I think it will do great with the dark brown wooden headboard, it will blend.

Skebba said...

Ooh! Go the brown! Zing zing!

Donna said...

LOVE the brown. Agree with Leah that it needs to be distributed a bit differently than your layout. I'm a very symmetrical kind of quilter, I need balance to be happy, and there's way more brown in one side than on the other. It'll be gorgeous whatever you decide, but the brown definitely makes it more "today", the other is just soft and safe. Good luck choosing!

Vickie E said...

I like the brown...

Abby and Stephanie said...

I love the brown!

Amelia said...

My vote is no brown...it looks unbalanced with the way the brown is appearing. Or least the way it is now...perhaps position the browns in the corners.

But remember the old saying "beauty is in the eye of the beholder" so do what makes you happy.

Enjoy today - a gift from God.

Pat said...

I think there is something missing without the brown but I'm also thinking the brown is too dark...maybe something in between? I'd also like a tutorial about bento box blocks.

Unknown said...

That particular brown is definitely too dark. What about going a little lighter.

Stacey said...

i like it better with the browns

Beth said...

I like the brown -- I think it makes it visually interesting...definitely made my eyes move around the quilt

crazyquiltlady said...

Love the dark brown- adds definition to the pattern

Kathy said...

Keep the dark brown! Gives the quilt much more definition.

Julie said...

The brown is growing on me although I think it will need a narrow brown border/binding to tie it all in. I casually looked at your blog title and thought it read "Botox quilt", its late here , I think I need to go to bed if I can't read correctly.

Puppenkisterl said...

I like the dark brown there in between, though I cannot say why exactly. The other one seems to be a little bit "boring" without that brown (I hope you excuse that, I love it nonetheless - i just mean in comparison to the other one)!

Yours, Karin!

Yo

Anonymous said...

I think the brown adds punch! It's beautiful + I like it. It seems that the lower right has more brown than the upper left area... maybe that is what is bothering you? I am sure you'll make it work. Really, beautiful. Can't wait to see it on your bed.

Anonymous said...

Definitely keep the brown because of the dark wood in your room - I don't even think you need a transition brown but it wouldn't hurt...

Meg said...

The three colors look fantastic together. In fact you inspired me to do the same! Go with your first instinct, it's always right. Without the brown it does look like a baby quilt.

Anonymous said...

I like the dark brown, it certainly stands out but I think it adds a nice pop and helps keep the eye moving across the quilt.

Val said...

I am no expert but I love the brown in it. That is what makes it but of course you will have to go with your first feeling.

Linda said...

The brown looks like black on my monitor, so I thought it was a bit much at first, but thinking of the fact that it will be for your bed with the dark wood that you have, I think the brown would be nice. It does give it a pop. I really need to make a bento box, I love the pattern.

rachel griffith said...

oh oh oh go with the brown.
:D

Anonymous said...

Keep the brown, definitely, but rearrange it just a bit. In the photo, it looks a little bottom heavy (like nearly every woman in my family!). That is, if you consider the lower right corner of the photo to be the bottom.

Millie said...

I -LOVE- the one with the brown. It adds more punch and is more interesting visually. Your eye moves around the quilt more with the brown than without it. The one without the brown is pleasing, but not, imo, especially interesting. And with your dark bed, I think you have to add the brown.

Susan Elliott said...

bring on the brown!

Amy Friend said...

I think I favor the brown too.

Jackie's Stitches said...

I love the blocks with the brown in it. The blocks without it look a bit bland - not enough contrast. If your bed is dark the brown would tie it all together. If your bed is white - not so much.

Anonymous said...

bento box haiku
the brown makes it feel special
go with your instinct

Ann Marie said...

I like the brown. As Leah said, the larger pieces of brown are concentrated in two rows. Moving them around may erase your doubts about the color. I read a description of a quilt that explained how a rogue color worked because the quilter had balanced the arrangement by clustering the color in three places on the quilt so your eyes move around the quilt as if connecting the points of a triangle and that color doesn't stand out in an awkward way. Ever since reading that, I see that triangle arrangement in quilts with a pleasing composition. The color may be in many places in the quilt, but the largest concentrations of the color form a triangle. Adding the brown to your border or binding, as Julie said, will keep it balanced too.

Anonymous said...

I like the brown! I think that if you evenly space it around the quilt, it'll keep the eye hopping around.

Perhaps the binding in the same brown will ground it all?

Sipiweske Quilts said...

Needs the brown - too anemic without it. Great pattern! - Marlene

Amy said...

I love the brown. I love things that contrast and pop out of the pattern. Very nice!

Anonymous said...

I, personally, like the brown in there. I think it adds a little 'pop' that doesn't happen wtihout it. But if you're going for an overall serene look you could keep it without the brown.

It's beautiful! :)

Just JaiCi's Crafts said...

i ADORE the browns. It adds some pizazz...
Personally, without the browns it almost looks like a baby boy quilt...

Betty J in OKC said...

I'd mix in a few more browns to make the dk brown less harsh.

PunkiePie (Jen) said...

My vote is to keep the brown but balance it more within the quilt. Seems concentrated in only one area of the quilt which makes it look choppy. I think it's going to look awesome!

katybee said...

The brown definitely adds a punch that's missing in the all blue/green version. But for me the contrast is just a little too strong. I wonder what a mango might look like instead of the brown.

Sarah said...

I like it better with the browns. :)

May Kristin said...

Keep the brown! It gives the quilt
character!

Nichole said...

I like the version with brown over the one without it, but do agree that it looks a little choppy. Perhaps if there was more of the brown it wouldn't look so sporadic.
If it were me, I think I'd put a lot more of the brown n the mix.

I actually am having this same problem on my Doll Quilt Swap quilt. It is soft blues and greens and I thought using a chocolate brown would be a good choice in the small alternate blocks, but it just pops too much in comparison. So, I'm thinking about what to do. I think I'll end up going with a softer brown with less difference in value from the greens and blues. Good luck - whatever you come up with will be spectacular as always, because you've got great quilt-sense.

Amy said...

I love it with the BROWN!! :)

Liz said...

I'm awful when it comes to color... but I do like the brown.

Unknown said...

Keep the dark brown! It's fabulous.

Toby E. said...

I personally love the brown. Maybe that's because my family seems to have within recent times all decided with our room redo's we all need brown in it!
But that brown gives it it's stand out.
If you are looking for a soft look for your room though, without the brown is great too!
I like the ideas of adding a softer brown to the first for a transition. what about a khaki?

Anna said...

I like the punch of the brown. I also admire that you've decided to make so many quilts. I teach and can't wait for summer. I look forward to looking through your archives when I start sewing again, for some ideas / inspiration.

Anonymous said...

i like how the dark brown ties into the dark headboard. definitely keep it!

Anonymous said...

I would totally leave the brown. I think you will love it on your bed. (I also think you will love that you took a risk out of your comfort zone that turned out so well!)

Regi said...

I love the brown.. gives it sizzle!

Robin Quilts, etc. said...

I think you need the brown. It adds some zip to the quilt.

Collette said...

I vote yay on the brown. It really livens up the quilt.

Oiyi said...

I like it much better with the brown!

Debbie said...

Yes, keep the brown because of your bed and the leaf prints above the headboard. I like the idea of binding it in brown as well. Debbie

Jane's Fabrics and Quilts said...

After all the comments, I still need to say, love the brown!

Emily said...

Without the brown it is a bit "cool" and makes me think of baby colors--although very pretty. But the brown is a nice touch. I'm thinking it needs to be more strategically placed and then it would be Unbelieveable!

Staci K. said...

I agree that the one without the brown is too "blah". I think the dark brown give it the pop it needs.

Dorothee said...

So, if this is to go onto your bed, can I have the quilt and pillows that are already there, please?

I prefer it without the brown but see your point. Have you put the blocks onto your bed, on a white sheet for instance, to see which is better?

The Speckled Hen said...

Totally love the brown!
I would just evenly redistribute the squares with the outer brown row so they are not all in the bottom two rows.
Or try them in the corners and two in the center.
Or try 2-1-2 since there are 12 blocks and eight rows.
This way your eye keeps moving and doesn't stop.

Dandelion Quilts said...

Okay, so I clicked the comment link ready to say get rid of the brown. Then I read all of comments and I do agree that the green and blue combo is a bit matchy match. That is always the problem I have in my quilts there is no pop. Well, the brown definitely pops. Maybe a bit much. I think they idea of darker blue might do it or grey or how about something in the dark pink family? Hmm. I am afraid I haven't been very useful.

szkornelia said...

Well, I think I am going with the minority. I like it better without a dark brown. On the other hand, it might be right that maybe another lighter one would make me to change my opinion.

Nancy said...

I like it with the brown better. It is a darling quilt, I really like it.

Melissa said...

my vote is for the brown. i love it!

I think it is a little dull without the brown...but I like POP!

Denise said...

I say "Keep the brown."

The WoodLand School said...

I think using the brown for the binding would tie everything together.

Lisa said...

I agree with Woodland School and say if you bind with brown that would be much better, otherwise I would make the quilt without the brown.

I would love a tutorial on this quilt as well!!

P.S. LOVE the Red & White quilt from the virtual Quilting Bee. I love the blocks outlined in red and white.

whispering loudly said...

OH! KEEP THE BROWN! I think it is wonderful (but I am VERY partial to browns!) Use brown in your binding and it is be perfect. What a great pattern! Can't wait to see it all finished!

Donna said...

Love the brown!!

Anonymous said...

I like the brown I think it just needs to be spaced out a little more. It seems a little heavy on the bottom. I love the pattern!

KateKwiltz said...

I'm in the rearrange/redistribute camp.

But I don't think it needs different browns added -- maybe look for a similar brown but a print with the same greens and blues to soften it up? The brown here seems a bit too strong and needs some help from something that's not so saturated.

Jeri is said...

I think one the quilt is on the bed, the dark brown will bring it together. It's a beauty either way. But so is that orange one on the bed now!

Brittney said...

I like the idea of brown in the mix, but I think it needs to be balanced with some other darker colors. Maybe try some darker blues or greens, or throw in a lighter shade of brown or tan to ease the contrast. I can't wait to see what you decide!

Unknown said...

I love the brown too! It keeps your eye moving around the top, and pops the great pattern out. Have you already decided?

jacquie said...

like you need another opinion...i love the brown...with a brown border...the other is just too boring for me. brown=zing!

Jeanne said...

Wow! Lots of opinions on this one. :)
I vote with keep the brown.

Lizzy said...

Hmmm. Love the brown! Maybe add a border to the finished quilt where you bring in more brown so that it doesn't look so contrast-y? (Like my technical jargon? Heeheee...)

Love love love your quilts! I'm in awe of your talent!

Janelle said...

I don't like the dark brown, but I do agree that a lighter brown might do the trick. If you used a light or medium brown, you could still bind it with the darker brown if you wanted.

Andrea said...

hmm...you know how much I LOVE your quilts and colour combos, but something seems off with the brown in it, yet without the brown, it needs something.

Perhaps a more medium brown? Also, there's a few fabrics that have the colours in your quilt, plus browns to tie it together. I thought of the fabrics I recently used in a quilt - here's the link.
http://www.ttfabrics.com/cgi-bin/fabricshop/ads.cgi?adID=53&Category=402

Valerie said...

I like the brown but I agree is needs something to transition between the lighter blue-greens and the deep brown, a mocha maybe?

Michaela said...

I think I like the brown in, but I think it needs more of it. Maybe because there is not enough it seems like it's jumping out at you. I do like the second option as well, but the first one is more interesting.

Anonymous said...

I love reading everyones opinions. I like the brown in there. You know me I like the pop and bold. This is only a small section and when it's all together it will look FABULOUS!!!:) I can't wait to get mine up and going:) hope your day is going well. missed you today.

Dawn W said...

I love all your quilts, you have a very artistic eye. I think the one without the brown is a bit bland. Maybe the strong brown needs just a little medium brown thrown in with it, but definitely brown. Can't wait to see it finished!

jabeybaby said...

I love the brown..

Sarah C said...

count me in for adding the brown! I think the quilt without it lacks...something.

Wendy said...

I like the dark brown, but I think it needs something else to tie it in. I'd quilt it in dark brown and also bind it in something with dark brown--maybe a print.

Cyndi said...

Without the brown, it's just another Bento Box quilt. The brown makes it uniquely yours. I hope you keep the brown.

GloJoeSews said...

U have so many comments. How do u keep up? Love the brown! Want to thank you 4 ur inspiration. I just started quilting again today and am making the stacked coins quilt. Just started my blog and will post pics today. Thanks again!

Coffeebean's Dailies said...

Hi! I love it with the brown. I think it will go so nicely with your bed. I like the striking-ness of it all! You go girl!

Lyndsey said...

I love it with the brown, but as mentioned above, I would redistribute the brown around the quilt and I would also bind it in the brown. It looks beautiful!

CocoJ126 said...

BROWN! ! ! (it does jump out.)

Nik said...

I think it needs MORE brown.

Kelli said...

I'll probably go against the flow, but I'm not crazy about the contrast of the brown. It just jumps out too much.

Anonymous said...

I like the look of the brown. Thsecond choice is too washed out looking. Love your quilts! Diane

Anonymous said...

i like the brown!! I think it will help tie everything together.

Anonymous said...

i love the brown!!

Katherine said...

I like the zing the brown adds so don't completely pull it out. Maybe just try to spread it out more to balance the pull it creates visually?

Amy from Our Dish said...

I would leave the brown - it needs a "zing!" Maybe you could tie it in more w/ some brown in the binding?

Anonymous said...

I say no to the brown, much too choppy, spoils the looks because your eye only sees the brown.

Anonymous said...

I like the brown element, but it needs MORE brown tones in order for it not to be so choppy.

Quiltgal said...

Love the brown

Anonymous said...

Love the brown, especially with the color of your headboard.

Julie

Renee said...

I like the dark brown, but it's the only dark in the medium and light mix. What about adding some darks in the blues and greens too?

Helen said...

i love it with the dark brown in it. It's more architectural and sophisticated.

lovely

Mrs. Jackie Sue said...

OK before I read the other comments, I thought the same - Love the brown, love the POP! not a distraction at all. The other is very subtle for sure. I call it chocolate - YUM! So i'd keep it!

*HUGS*
Jackie

Robin said...

I rather like it with the brown. It gives the top a bit of an edgier look and really makes the other colors pop. The other is just too mellow for me.

Annie said...

I like the dark in it. Just gives it an edge! Keep up the fantastic work you motivator you!

roylancemommy said...

i realize I'm in the minority group, but I don't like the brown in the quilt.....it is the only stark contrast in my eye.....hmmmmm....maybe frame it in brown.....I don't know....I wish I had another suggestion.......I know you will come up with something,....everything you make looks so great!

Heather said...

I was going to say I thought the brown was too much, but after I saw your room I change my mind. Keep it in, it would tie everything together.

Philigry said...

clearly you have enough feedback, but i love it both ways. i do love the brown. with your bed, it will be smashing!
P.s. I think we have the same bed! oh, and i love your pillow cases! i am already thinking of ways to find room for all my quilting ideas. pillows are the perfect solution.

Allie said...

I love it with the brown--It just makes it a little bit fun and funky!

Thimbleanna said...

Hahaha! You've got opinions all over the board! I love that quilt, but not crazy about the brown -- I think it's a bit distracting -- my eye goes immediately to the brown.

Noémia said...

I love with the brown! :)

Erin said...

I love the brown. I think it will be FANTASTIC on your bed. :)

Anonymous said...

I think you need the brown for interest. It's going to be beautiful!

Sarah said...

I like it both ways! Can you arrange the brown to be a whole square (i.e. four brown blocks together) for just a spot of dark? Whatever you do will be great!

Anonymous said...

I had to look at it and come back- when I came back, I saw right away the brown made it pop! Maybe you could add a couple of borders, and have dark brown be the outermost border? I think that would help it tie together nicely.

I'm usually a lurker and this is my first comment. I love your blog!

lera said...

Personally, I love the brown.

Anonymous said...

I love the brown, but I'd only include it if I could spread it across the quilt symmetrically somehow. To me that would fix the concern about it "jumping out too much".

M said...

I like the brown alot....it looks great with all those colors.

Ginny Worden said...

My friend always says, if one is sticking out, add more, don't subtract. Then you should get what you hope for. Good luck.

Anonymous said...

I love it with the brown. I think It needs a tad more brown. Good Luck.

Kate said...

absolutely with the brown! it makes it look great!

MamaDaniel said...

i love the one with brown fabric.. love the impact if you look at it from far. thanks. (zila, Kuala Lumpur)

Unknown said...

The brown is very good, just think it could use a few more!!
libertythreads.blogspot.com

Torina said...

The brown makes it look modern. I love it. It makes the quilt pop.

Anonymous said...

Hi, I like the brown, too. But maybe you can use it a little bit more?

What pattern do you use for your bento boxes?

greetings from Germany,

Claudia

Anonymous said...

I Like the brown, it gives it the zing factor. Any chance of tutorial on bento box block or quilt cause I cant seem to find any patterns in my local shops in Australia.
Cheers

moBri said...

I love the bentobox pattern and I would prefer the one with the dark brown accents if it matches your room. Adds more interest and looks gorgous.

Princess Martha said...

Hi,
My first thought was, yuck, why brown, but then I went to the one without the brown and it looks bland. I think once you finish the quilt and put it on your bed, the brown will look great, very striking. Anyway, who wants to be compliant, be daring, keep the brown.

pratima said...

Loving the brown :)

Cecilia said...

I would add more brown and look for more blanace this way.

Cristin said...

The brown add a wonderful POP to the quilt - keep it :-)

Anonymous said...

The brown certainly does pop and it would really go well with the dark wood of your bed. I was going to suggest working the brown in as a border or something, but what do I know? I think of the 168 people who have commented, most of them are in favor of the brown so therefore, keep it! (Although I do like the suggestion of working in a little lighter shade.) That's my two cents.

The Calico Cat said...

I think you need to add Katie Jump Rope Argyle... Or somethign similar, so that there are smaller bits of brown to bridge to the dark brown.

Pink Chalk fabric has some... (on sale no less...)

Then again I totally love that orange quilt on your bed... (Not that it "goes" with the blue carpet.)

Anonymous said...

I love the brown and I think it will look great with the dark headboard on your bed. I agree that maybe a lighter brown will help to tie it in better though.

Jessica Christensen said...

I love the greens and blues, but it is rather bland without the brown. I agree with the others who suggested putting some lighter brown in there with it. It is a very dark brown (which is nice, but bold). Other browns to make it more more gradual would be nice. Also a brown border or binding, as was previously suggested, would tie it all together.

Natalie said...

Your quilts are always so gorgeous! But, I agree with the majority...keep the brown and add more brown! (I happen to be a huge fan of brown!) Good Luck! I can't wait to see it finished!

Anonymous said...

I like it a lot with the brown. Adds something to it!

Melanie said...

Nix the brown, but make another quilt with bold brights with your brown.

Jellybean Soup Company said...

I love the brown! I think that orange could also be a nice choice though, depending on what the other colors are in your room. Very nice! :)

Bee said...

I'm inclined to say that it needs the brown, though in the first photo I do think it pops too much. Maybe try more brown. Or get a few darker/more saturated greens and blues in there with it.

Andrea said...

I'm here this morning taking another fresh look. Perhaps balancing the heavier brown blocks (the ones with the bigger sections ofbrown on them) more evenly on the quilt? They seem to be mostly weighted on the bottom section of the quilt and the wee ones are peppered above.
Maybe a few more of the heavier blocks up top and the wee brown ones below?

Rebekah said...

very cute! I like it without the brown better

Jennie said...

I think you should leave the brown in but also add some darker shades of your other colors to help balance it. The brown right now is all "look at me, I'm BROWN!!!" and it needs to be taken down a notch with some other bolder prints! ~ Jennie

ilovebabyquilts said...

Wow, 180 comments! I'm lucky if I get two. Well I like the brown. Without the brown it's less interesting and fades away.

sulu-design said...

I'm probably weighing in too late here, and there seems to be overwhelming support for the brown already. I like the first commentor's suggestion of adding in a bit of lighter brown to balance it out. Otherwise, my minimalist self says no brown. I had to go and be annoyingly against the crowd here. Sorry. I have faith, though, that you're going to make it beautiful no matter what you do!

Calico Road said...

I like the brown, my only suggestion is MORE. In the pic is seems a bit bottom heavy so maybe adding a little more brown would help balance it out. It looks great, and I agree with others, the brown adds a bit of 'grownup-ness'.

Anonymous said...

So, I'm sticking with the obvious minority and voting for no brown. :)
I think the brown is a bit too much of a contrast. Perhaps if you added in some other browns it would be better, but as it is I think you should leave it out. And I don't think the one without brown looks like a baby quilt, it is beautiful!

Unknown said...

I've been reading for a while now and you've inspired my first and second quilting attempts. #2 is still very much in progress. I think you and I are similar in the sense that we "feel" the layout and have to figure out what's "off".

I clicked on the pic with the brown so I could see the layout in a bigger way. Two things jumped out at me right away.

1) you've grouped your browns so that all of your polka dots are in the same area and all of your other print are in the same area. i recommend mixing them up more. maybe even finding another brown with a bolder print, maybe some white in it?

2) you have a LOT of blue and green gingham and again it all seems to be in the same area, almost a ribbon crosswise. I think it's too much of a small print and it's not balancing out with the brown.

i love the brown in it and i just think you need some more large scale prints in the blues and greens so they can hold their own with the brown. the ones that you have already in there do that. the smaller prints with the white just sort of become one color if that makes sense.

just my thoughts :)

jlk said...

I like the brown. I think most people do!

Laurel said...

I guess I'm a summer time person so I like the one without the brown. I would punch it with a more intense aqua and echo tha in the borders. Just another 2 centers worth....

Boy, you could make a mint (pun intended) with all the 2 cents we're all throwing in!

Kerri said...

love it with the brown!! can't wait to see more!! :)

Anonymous said...

Wow, it is looking beautiful! I love the brown. My opinion, I would add a bit more brown to the left hand side of the pic and remove the dark green with lighter green fabric. it just doesn't seem to flow. I wonder how it would look with all solid fabric? Maybe white, brown, and pale blue? *shrugging*
Everything you do turns out beautiful, so why ask? Silly gal :)

Anonymous said...

I love it with the brown in it..but maybe with even more...then it wouldn't feel as questionable. How fun.

Jane said...

Wow, so many comments. Not that you need my 2 cents after all these lovely ladies have chimed in but here it is:
Love the Brown. Add more browns though!
~jane

Mego said...

I would bind it with dark brown and then make some nifty pillows to tie all the colors in...it's beautiful!
Mego

Unknown said...

Gees, talk about comments! We all are looking at it so differently, and I am 192! I like the green a lot. It probably looks so good in natural light rather than photos, and if you make co-ordinating pillow cases or tossed pillows with the green and blue accents, the bed will just be so amazing.
On Design Inc., here in Canada, Sarah Richardson uses those colours all the time.. It looks good either way, but the green is more soothing for the bedroom.

Anonymous said...

At first I didn't like the brown, but your right without it, there does lack a certain zing.

Tina said...

I totally love the brown!

Anonymous said...

I meant the dark green fabric with light green leaves on it :) Oopsie

leigh said...

I like the brown. It does stand out, but on your bed it won't be as noticeable because some of it will be on the edges. I think it's a little more boring without it, but it's still great, of course. I vote brown.

Clair said...

I would take the brown out.

momawake said...

I actually like both. They are totally different.

Anonymous said...

hi amandajean
i think you need to look at the color value of the brown that you add to the blue/green combo. they are all fairly similar in value but the brown that you have added is way stronger...
that's my 5 cents worth!! LOL!!
janine (in oz)

Sarcastic Quilter said...

I would leave dark brown as is and not use any graduating browns. It's bland without and the brown does provide a popping focal point.

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