No one was very thrilled with my Delectable Mountains quilt top, including me. As I said the other day, it was pretty but not very interesting. In particular, others commented on the large amount of double pink, and how the corners in pink seemed large and unbalanced.
Delectable Mountains design, most popular in the 1840s – 1870s. Color combination of double pink and brown popular during same years. Unquilted top. Approximately 61″ square.
I defended the design as traditional, and not something I was inclined to mess with. However, some DM quilts from the 1800s had stars in the corners. After consideration, that seemed like an appropriate way to break up the pink expanse, brighten the whole, and add some interest.
I built corner blocks using the variable star. The background fabric is the same as used in the center star, and the brown is the same as the one surrounding the center. It is slightly softer in appearance than the brown of the middle border and HST border.
Surgery required removing stitches that held the double pink corners in place. Then I pinned in one seam at a time and re-stitched. It was a pretty easy process as my new star corners matched the size well.
Here is the amended quilt top.
Delectable Mountains with star corner blocks. Unquilted top. Approximately 61″ square.
I think it’s better. It is brighter, and there is more to look at. But I still don’t think it’s very interesting.
Either way, I’m done with the top now. And I don’t plan to make the design again in red and white.
Catbird Quilt Studio 
I’ve been away so not reading along–but I like the original top and I like it a lot! I like that it was traditional and paid homage to a time and style. I like the expanses of pink and can imagine them filled with beautiful hand quilting.
mm, this makes me wish I have preserved it and sent it to you to finish. 🙂
Me, too! 😀
Yes, even better! Being the modern type, I was thinking of those big blank corners as places to quilt an outline of the block type you put in for real. My idea probably wouldn’t have shown up on that fabric, but your blocks are a nice touch!
Thanks, Mary. I do think it’s better, but overall it is not a success, in my opinion. I’ll probably like it more once it’s quilted. Either way, I learned some things, and have a few more to figure out… 🙂 Have a great day!
The added blocks help carry the off white out of the center area and give life to those large pink areas. I still find the large central off white triangles a bit overpowering. Thanks for having the courage to share a quilt you consider to be not your best.
🙂 Yeah, it is disappointing, even after the change. A lot of “design” aspects wrong with it, enough that it’s hard for me to sort out. Of course, the cold I caught this week isn’t helping my brain function at all.
I really like this revision. The original didn’t do it for me because of the big, light square in the middle. It seemed intrusive to me — overpowering, I guess. The lighter colors in the corners now seem to balance it, and make everything work together.
Thanks. I do think it has better balance now.
Soooo much nicer…. and wel worth the added time and surgery….
I’m glad you like it. Thanks for taking a look.
The stars make a big difference…it looks so much more lively
A little brighter now, yes? Thanks, Dot.
Nice recovery! Definitely an improvement so the pink is not overwhelming. After you quilt it, you may like it better. Could be one of those that just have to grow on you! What is next on the agenda?
Up next, I have 5 quilt tops and 4 backs, ready to quilt. Guess I’ll work on that for a few days. Then we’ll see! Thanks.
Personally, I love it! 🙂
Thanks, Doc!
I think that the large off-white corners add to the discomfort — both the off-white and the pink fight to be “not-brown.” Were the off-white corners also double-pink then the emphasis would be on the brown blocks. You could hand on to this (unquilted) as an example when you teach design — so it could be an object lesson!
I’ve thought about using it as a “not” example! 🙂
Bam! That really added more interest to it – very nice! Okay get it quilted and mail it to my house 🙂 ha!
I’m not ready to give it away yet! 🙂
I do think the corner stars improved it, and I like how you have them set on white octagon shapes instead of squares.
I thought the octagons would give it a softer landing than squares, and I do think that worked. Thanks.
I admire you for persisting until you feel somewhat satisfied and I think you went in a great direction-maybe that is because I am currently adding LeMoyne stars to the blank corners of a Star of Bethlehem top. I think Delectable Mountains was pretty before the corner stars, but think it is much more lovely and interesting now.
LeMoyne stars are perfect for the corners of a Star of Bethlehem. Good luck in finishing that.
Heaps better… Much more satisfying, to my eye at any rate 🙂
There certainly is more going on. Thanks.
The original had a sort of southwestern Native American look to it that was interesting and would make a nice gift for someone with that decor. The corner stars do brighten it. Very pretty!
Thank you, Pat. Yes, all the triangles do give a southwestern feel, which I like a lot. As to gift, I’ll have to think of the right person. 🙂
I like the extra stars
Thank you, Norma!
Wow! Love the corners now. Not exactly my aesthetic, but I think you’re right… filled corners are better! Well done!
Thanks, Jacquie. All in all it doesn’t thrill me, either, but I think the stars help. Thanks for reading and commenting today.