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can't decide

Thanks for all your gentle comments on my post yesterday. I was sooo nervous to post those photos, but at the same time I really wanted to. It's good to keep it real! And it felt good to get that off my chest. I cleaned up last night and took a little break. Just what I needed.

Today I'm back at it! :) I'm making a pair of throw pillows for the annual Women's Christmas Dinner silent auction at my church. The auction is on Tuesday. I'm stuck at what to back them with. Originally, I planned on backing them with white and binding them in the red bliss dot. It would look lovely, but I got to thinking that it may be too much white? I'm not afraid of white-I use it a lot-but maybe other people would think they are too impractical? So I rummaged through my stash and I found this red katie jump rope print. It matches well in color, but are the flowers too non-Christmasy? Again, it wouldn't bother me, but would other people think it's weird on a Christmas pillow?
Those are my two options, because I really want (and need!) to use what I have. Oh, and I should add, they are pillow covers, so they will be totally removable and washable. What would you choose?
Posted by Amanda Jean at 3:38 PM Labels: fabric, quilting, work in progress 
I like the dots...Christmas has a lot of white too, depending on where you live! ;)
 Helby said...

I'd go with the polkadot. Would help tie together all the squares.
 Nancy, Near Philadelphia said...

Either one would be terrific. I'd prolly go with the dots, though.
 pioneervalleygirl said...

If I were making it for myself, I'd use the white, but for the auction I'd use the red, too many people worry about white
 
Im not the biggest fan of the red print for a christmas project. Any other print options maybe? I agree that it might be too much white for other people's tastes and practical useage reasons.
 
Do you have enough red/white polkadot to back the pillow and scraps of green to make a scrappy green binding? I personally think that would look neat. = ) Otherwise I like the first option, for some reason I'm just not feeling it for the red flowers. Love your work!!!
 
I like the white better than the red print. I agree, the red isn't really Christmas-y.
 Seams Sew Creative said...

Polka dot all the way :)
 
My fav is the red flowers.
 bedelia said...

white w/ red polka dot binding seems perfect to me and I have 3 kids under 4 so maybe not practical but worth it for a special Christmas cover.
 Quilter Mom of 2 said...

I like the polka dots too.

The flowers are more spring-y than Christmas-y.
 
Go with the white bound with red for sure. Practical has little place in something that comes out once a year!
 
White with the dot binding - so crisp!
 ulinkap said...

I would chose red flowers! I don't think flowers are non-Christmasy. I would like to thank you for your yesterday post! I have the same mess if I'm alone at home focused on sewing. And you did great job this week!
 Terriaw said...

Cool project! I like the white polka dots for the contrast and clean look they provides. The red flowers, which would be fine for a Christmas project btw, provide a warmer, more feminine feeling. Could it be a modern versus traditional dilemma?! hehehehehe
 
white with polkadot binding - definitely! Practical, schmactical - it's washable & only out for a short season. And I'm a VERY practical (too much so) mother of preschoolers.

By the way, what a gorgeous auction item!
 
I don't think a non-chrismassy backing is such a bad thing ;-) if the colours are right
having said that, I just love the polka dots binding
 
I think I would choose the dots with white back
but then I am a great fan of simplicity
my sewing room looks mostly like your pictures too although it is tidy today ;-)
 the girl with kaleidoscope eyes said...

Amanda Jean you are amazing! I loved your pictures yesterday and the sense of home they brought, but what caught my eye (again and again because I kept coming back to it) was this pattern on the wall. So I love that you're posting about this today so I can see the design up close!

I know this is a bit of a different suggestion, but what about using both to back it? I would do it in three thick horizontal stripes - white red white; and if you have two pillows, I'd do the other red white red. It means the pillows will look amazing even if a kid flipped them over; and although white is impractical, on Christmas we fill our homes with delicate treasures which we hope the kids won't break - what can be more impractical than that! I think the white is soothing and would look stunning, I'm just suggesting the red to zest it up a bit.

As for the binding, you couldn't have chosen anything better :)

Sorry for the length, but that's my two cents. I look forward to seeing the finished product :)

 Cheryl Arkison said...

If you go with the red binding I would go with a green back, so there is the contrast there as well.
 
white with dot binding. Fabulous.
 Samelia's Mum said...

I love the spots... well i just love spots full stop :-)
Your cushion looks great! Whoever wins it will be very pleased.
 
I would go with the white-for me, it's a 'classier' look. The red would look good for everyday, but I still like the white, especially since they are washable! I would love them!
 
white and polka dot for sure. and it's an auction, so if someone doesn't think the white is practical, they can bid on something else. the white with the polka dot is so crisp though. i would bid on it in a second!
 
My goodness I'm not sure having so many opinions is helpful when we all think opposite things :) But if you want me 2 cents I think white on the back would look BEAUTIFUL.
 
definitely white with the dots - you could piece it a bit, or run a stripe thru the white if you think it too much, but it looks great like that.
 
At silent auction, they are bidding on how they look, not what is completely practical - go with the white back and polka dot binding!
 
I like the red ( as a mom with 2 small kids it seem less opps like;)
 
I love the simplicity of the white backing with the red binding. It feels simple and uncomplicated, which seems like a welcome relief from fussy Christmas decoration.
 
I'd love either the white or the red. I know whatever you select will be perfect! I think that KJR print is just fine for Christmas pillows -- in fact I've used it in many of my Christmas items in the past (I tend to like prints that remind me of Christmas, but aren't too Christmas-y, if that makes any sense!)
 
My vote would be for the dots, because you have dots on the front.
 Dawn N. said...

I think white would be beautiful! But either way they will turn out great. :)
 
back with one and bind with the other and on the second pillow ('cause you never make just one) reverse the backing/binding combination!
 Ray and Jeanne said...

I love both but I'd go for the red. At our house, people (some young, some not) often use the pillows when watching TV, naps, etc. Most of them are trained to turn the pillow over before placing their head on it! So I want backs that are not white.
 prairiewhisper said...

I LOVE the red! That's my vote.
 
Definitely the white/red dots. I love the simplicity of the white.
 traceyjay said...

I did a pillow with those same bliss dots if you want to see how it turned out.


(it'll be cute either way really...so if I was you, I'd go with the bliss dots because it's easier to get than the KJR)
 
The dots are perfect!
 
Loving the red backing.
 
However you finish these off, they will be gorgeous! I love the red and green against the pure white. While I do feel the red print would look great on the back of a pillow, the white and dots would by far (my opinion) be sharper and more crisp. Or, you could do one pillow with the red and the other white?

Have fun finishing these...I'd bet they will make some good money as everyone will want them!

 
I don't know if someone has already mentioned this, but the red flowers look like poppy flowers which you always see around Christmas time, right? I like it.
 
I like the idea someone suggested earlier...combining the flower print with the white in strips. Really, I just wanted to comment on your free motion quilting. It looks amazing!a
 Peggi said...

I vote for the red. It would make the pillow reversible (well, depending on how you're making the cover removable, I guess) and I think the polka dot binding would make both sides snappy!
 Munaiba said...

I'd use the dots AND the red backing.
 Creative Mom said...

I like Angela's idea of dots on the back and scrappy binding. If that's not a possibility the dots and white.
 
Really, you can't go wrong with either but my vote goes with the white backing & dot binding! The tops are GORGEOUS!
 DeeRoo said...

Ummmm....not a one of those fabrics on the front scream Christmas to me so I don't see why you can't use the red flowers. I think you can't go wrong with either of them.
 
I'm in love with the dots against the white. The contrast is great. You didn't offer green but I think it would add a pop to the backs as well as surprise. Otherwise, I vote for white. How can I bid by proxy?
 Merry Made Quilts said...

LOVE those polka dots!
 
I like the dots. :)
 
white, and I even have a 2 year old, it just looks much better
 NorthernStar said...

I really like the all white option. I think it's really pretty and the spotty binding sets it off perfectly. Gorgeous!
 
I really like the white with the red dot personally. That is a really nice pillow, lovely work.
 
I'm voting for white with the dot binding. I think it will look great!
 Mrsblocko said...

My first instinct was to say the red backing because white gets dirty so fast but...they are washable and the front is mostly white too. Go for the white backing with the polkadot trim.
 Hands Sew Full said...

I am a fan of the white backing with polka dots too! The flowers are just not doing it for me!
Love love love the front!! I cleaned my stuff up last night too!
 
I saw that hanging on your design wall. I was wondering what it was. It's lovely and wouldn't it be a fun quilt with all those blocks. My vote is for the white too with the dot binding.
 A Plain Path said...

Well, now you have lots of opinions to sort through, but I'll still toss in mine. :D I like the white with the polka dot edging! Very nice. The front is lovely!
 
White all the way! I love white Christmas decorations. Plus the trim is adorable!
 
I would go with the second one, the flowery one. I just think it's more interesting.
 
I'd use the red and the polka dot binding will look great.
 
Id go with the red. I like red a lot. And I think that print is just fine.
 AMKreations said...

I like the crisp feeling of white as it reminds me of snowfall in winter! I prefer it to the red print. Either way, I know they'll look amazing!
 
Beautiful! I pick white : )
 jabeybaby said...

I would do the red but I'm not a white person, we have two kids and two dogs so white is not my friend. :-) The pillows will be beautiful either way though!
 
I always think it's so funny when we ask for help on blogs -- we always get so many different answers that I wonder how it helps. It must be that there is often an aha comment that turns the tide.

Ha. This isn't that comment LOL.
 
Love the dots!
 
I likie both - I would use the white - but then the red looks so nice too :)
 Carol in E TN said...

I would use the white option, unless you might have some green in your stash that would work!
 
I love the pillow's front...the back doesn't matter!! Well done!!
 Kelly Mainard said...

I'd use dots and white!
 
Polka dots and white. For sure.
 
I'd use the white. Definitely.
 
So, what's the verdict?

You know me and my love of dots - so I would choose the dots as the binding to go with the white backing and you could use red thread to quilt the white. That might be fun.
 
Do what you want, not what you might think is unpractical or not. Your gut has been good to you so far, don't let it fail you now.
 
i love the red.
 Dan Rouse said...

I like the polkadot and white. The katie jump rope is lovely, but the red isn't quite a christmas red.
 aSprinkling said...

I'd pick the polka dot and white - who looks at the back of pillows anyway? :)
 
I like the white backing with polka dot binding! Fabulous pillows!
 
White with polka dots all the way, I think it flows alot better.
 
love the dots! wish I was at your church as I'm sure they will be snapped up!

 
dots for sure!
 
Love the red as cushion more likely to be used all year round.
 VeeV said...

i like the red katie fabric...... then if they don't want to have a "christmas" pillow - they can turn it around....for the time being.

a green for the back would be nice too???

 
I'd go for the white but those red flowers are still christmassy enough, they're kind of poinsettia ish (ok, that's a stretch but you could tell them that)
 
I love white pillows, so I would go for white...it also eliminates the problems that the red could run if not washed well.
 Kankanka said...

 
I am all for white christmas :)
And if washed, the red might cause some problems (which white would never do). And frankly, those are the backs of the pillows, to most people it doesn't really matter which colour they are as long as they go with the rest of the pillow cover (which I love by the way!)
 RebeccaL said...

I like the red flowers....would make the Chistmas pillow usable for longer than Christmas in this house!
 
Definitely the dots! It looks really crisp and fresh.
 Margaret T. Zenk said...

howzabout you use the white fabric and a red stitch? Are you quilting the back? Making an envelope? Either way you can have a funky back if you quilt it with red thread..or red and green thread. Easy for me to sit here and say that.
 primanotion said...

I say the white back because I love the polka dot binding...it's not too much white especially since it's a pillow cover and can be washed!
 
Big fan of the Katie Jump Rope, but I think I would rather have white if it wsa mine- of cousre that would mean removing the children from the couch area...lol
 Stormy Days said...

I really like the dots, it adds a nice fun feel.
 Gabriele K said...

Polka dots! The red flowers are too red.
 
White with dots for sure!!
 Mishka said...

Red dot.
 
I would definitely do the red one. So CUTE! i love the pillow top design.
 Amanda @ www.kiddio.org said...

I would go with the red dots for the binding, then back it in green with a finer polkadot. More Christmassy!
 
I personally like the white backing with red dots for the binding. :)
 
Wow, I'm just having fun reading all the comments!
Seems like it's a vote for the red, or maybe the white, or wait....It'll look awesome whichever you choose.
 
I think you should back it in white and bind it in the beautiful red dots. That is a gorgeous pillow cover and you have done a great job on it. Take care and God bless, Cory
 
go for it...that KJR fabric will look great with it.
 
The darker red polka dot looks better with the prints in the front. It would not bother me to have flowers on the back but I'd rather have the stronger color especially when it goes better with the front.
 leigh said...

I would choose whatever fabric you care about less. Since it's the back of the pillow, it probably won't really be seen hardly at all. I don't know if I could part with my KJR. Also - I LOVE the dot binding.
 
I very like your blog! You do a great things! I made a quilt too. My name is Nika. I am from Russia. Please welcom to my blog!
 
Sorry I won't be there to place a bid!
they are really lovely.

Happy sewing and stop being so darn hard on yourself....your work is just delightful.
 Amy - Amy's Creative Side said...

I love the cute front! Have you decided what to do? I'd probably go with my first instinct, and use the white. Enjoy!
 GC&K said...

The polka dots. It really makes it POP!!
 
Love the white backing with the polka dot binding! But, truth be told, I LOVE white all the time! Beautiful pillows! :)
 JHRME said...

I'd go with the white and the dots. It resembles your look/style. Stay you.
 
Oh my gosh. How will you ever sort all these comments. LOL!

I vote white!
 
I think between the two choices you have shown, I'd stick to the white. Having said that however, if it were me and I had extra, I'd use the red/white dotted fabric. I think that would be perfect.
 
I read thru a few of the first comments, and I agree with the idea of red dotted back with green pieced binding. I love pieced bindings!
 
Ooohhhhhhhhhh I love the red! It just adds soooooooo much to the pillow. as for christmas it could be out for christmas but I think it would be gorgous any time of the year because it is not really christmas oriented.
 Melodee said...

I love the whole thing, totally looks like Christmas to me. I love how humble you are - you ooze talent, yet you constantly question your self. I also LOVE that you haven't cooked in days. I would eat out every night if I could so that I could sew more.
 
White with the red dot binding! I think it will make the pillow look so classy!!!!!
 ohiomommy said...

Someone suggested polka dot red with a scrappy green binding. I think that would look awesome. It would bring all the lovely Christmasy colors together :)
 
I think the white is really refreshing! Plus, you can never go wrong with polka dots!
 Shayleen Lunt said...

I would choose white and I have three little kids! Heck, it's washable!
 Andrea, the little collector said...

It's already white, so if someone is super against white this isn't the pillow cover for them. Why not a little more? Maybe save that cute fabric for somewhere that will show more?

UNLESS...you're putting buttons on the back and the red would make it totally reversible.....ooooooh!

You probably whipped it up today and whatever you chose I'm sure is fabulous!!!

p.s. Quilting's messy business. Embrace it, eat leftovers and quilt 'til nothing but a good clean up will set you right. I love your keeping it real post.

p.p.s. My sister and I make up definitions to the word verification "words". Here's mine for this post: evalmi (n): a focused, brief self-evaluation; a quick internal assessment to determine action. Amanda Jean discovered through Thursday's evalmi that chaos could not be conquered through consumption of cold (albeit delicious) turkey.
 Why Not Sew? said...

I love the flowers.Then it doesn't necessarily have to be put away after Christmas. It looks great.
 
the white is very stylish. go for it. My other vote would be for more of your chartruesy greens
 bonniequilt said...

I love poka dots!!
 Meta said...

I vote for the white with the red dot binding. I'm also in Wisconsin and have just made my first quilt!
 
cara Amanda...le feste di natale durano un mese ma il tuo regalo starà con loro 365 giorni!!!!
quindi vai tranquilla!!!
 
I'd either back it in white or a solid red or green. Love the Bliss polka dot binding!
 tarabu said...

If you're hiding the opening in the seam I'd use the red floral - that way they're not *just* Christmassy, they can roll out again for February or May (or all year long if you really like red).
 
I like the katie jump rope red flowers but just make sure to pre-wash it really well so that your colors don't bleed!
 Summer :) said...

Dots! :)
 lifeinredshoes said...

First off I'm glad to see your only human, I was beginning to wonder. With all the wonderful, perfect, sewing you do a perfect house would put you in the Stepford catagory;)
I would go with white myself, but I'm not afraid of white. My only compliant is that I won't be there to bid on them....they are awesome!!!
 
definitly the dots!!!
 April (Polkadot Sparrow) said...

How about green backing? I know you've got a lot of green around (you seem to work with it a lot), right? And do the dots for the binding!
 Seamingly Sarah said...

go with white!
 Roselie said...

White with red polka dots.
 
I like the polka dots for a backing. I also like the idea of green, though, too!
 joana said...

Por favor !!! no podrían ser más bonitos!
 
I love the dots but the other one goes well with your stippling.
