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How to decide, how to decide? So many choices when it comes to putting a Bento Box quilt together.
So, here’s the picture of the more simple option:
And here’s the more mixed-up Bento:
Which look do you like better? Tell the truth!
The more simple one works better for my eyes. Love it!
I like the mixed up one better. Perhaps that’s because the balance of colors in the matched one is such that my eye only goes to that middle square with pink on the outside and white on the inside… either layout needs a white border or something “soothing” to contain the vibrancy.
I like the mixed up one–more interesting. I agree with Pam–when I did my Bento Box, I found I needed a very plain border to both calm it down and set it off. Once I put that border on, bingo. Love the color mix!
I vote for the more simple option. Love the colors!
Wow! So far it is 2 to 2. Well at this point in the comments I vote for mixed-up. I do, think, however, that either will be wonderful. Here is a link to the Bento Box quilt class at Road. There is a picture of a class sample.
http://www.road2ca.com/classTHUR.html
I don’t know if that helps you or not. I think Sandy’s point about the borders is excellent. Maybe if you pinned up a border strip or two that would help you decide. I haven’t even listened to your podcast but will definitely do so tomorrow.
My vote is for the mixed-up layout.The blocks in the simple layout seem to grab my eye and hold it. With the mixed-up layout, my eyes keep moving around the quilt to see all the fabrics/patterns. I made a bento box quilt once as a mystery quilt and enjoyed it very much but I used only 3 or 4 fabrics.
Really look forward to your podcasts, Frances. Thanks for your dedication.
Gayle
Gosh, I think I like the mixed up version too 🙂 I don’t have a good reason for you…I just like it, lol.
Dear Frances.
Gabi and I like the second (lower) one better. It seems to us to be better balanced.
Love, Mom and Gabi
I’d mix it up. DH prefers the simpler one. Not a surprise that we don’t agree!
These comments aren’t going to help you much – we seen to be equally divided. I like the mixed up version – it seems more balanced in terms of value.
I like the lower one much better…seems better balanced. On the top the red/white sections just jump out at me. I might still consider shifting the red/white one to a slightly lower contrast, perhaps an off white tone, even pale beige, for just a tad less contrast.
Yes, it needs a border to calm it down and I would not pick that out until I have made my final arrangement and assembled the blocks.
I love the mixed up version! The scrappier the better!
I immediately liked the mixed-up one better, and I agree that it has more balance. Love the fabric selection.
Regarding fabric selection, and fabric with white print elements: I just read a discussion of this in the book ‘Quilts Made Modern’ by Ringle & Kerr. For one of the quilts in this book, they discuss fabric selection, – pros and cons of white print elements, and why they chose to leave them out. You are seeing exactly what they talked about – the white seems to pop out and distract from the overall blend for that particular quilt. I recently returned it to the library, so I don’t have a page reference for you, but you might try to find it – they talk a bit about fabric choice for each of the projects in the book.
My first impression was that I liked The “mixed up” one better. I also agree with the others, nice choice od colors.
I love the simpler arrangement. The white screams at me in either arrangement, though. Lowere contrast will work better. I’ve had this pattern for years, and you’ve inspired me to finally use it.
I vote mixed up.
Doncha love my spelling? And this from a former librarian, no less.
Mixed up!
I tried emailing at you new email but it did not go through… probably spelt something incorrectly. or my memory was not working since I have been in the car every time I heard it announce so I might have got it wrong. You might consider posting it on your blogs.
Love the quilt on the bottom …. the eyes follow the light patches down a diagonal so it seems more balanced. Your eyes are not getting stopped at one spot but keeps moving across the quilt.
Nonnie,
.
The first one…. on the sescond one, the last column seems detached; like an after thought. Have fun!
Frances, the second version appeals to me, surprisingly since I am usually a symmetrical kind of girl. I like that the variety of contrast is spread over the whole quilt.
Hi Frances,
I really like the “mixed-up” version. It’s fun and somehow seems more interesting/dynamic than the first version. That’s my two-cents for what it’s worth!
Ann
I think I like the mixed up, but I’m surprised that I do like the top one as well. I listened to the podcast in the car and assumed that the simple one just wouldn’t work. Looks like it’s up to you!
I like the mixed up one. The red, white, and black box in the simple version really overpowers the rest of the quilt. The mixed up one disperses the brighter fabrics and lets your eyes look at the whole quilt instead of just focusing on the one box.
Mix it up!!
Love the mixed up Bento box quilt– nice balance of lights and darks. Try using a dark border to make them pop. (if bento boxes pop does sushi end up on the ceiling?)
love your podcast! i like the 2nd mixed up one
in the 1st lay-out, the middle red-border block sticks out too much–it almost reads as a solid red border which then breaks up the continuity of the quilt as a whole. i think if you modified that one block, then either lay-out works really well. pretty fabrics! i hope you’re very proud of it 🙂
I like the mixed up one more.
The second one because it breaks up that red and white bulls-eye on the second row in the middle.