Houston…We Might Have A Problem
January 7th, 2011 @ 5:34 pmI need your advice.
I finally took a look at the new fabric that I ordered (the fabric for the binding, the one that I didn’t calculate correctly and am short on). I was checking it out late last night (hoping I was too tired and my mind was just playing tricks on me) and noticed that they aren’t even the same color. WHAT!
I went back to Etsy (where I purchased both fabrics from different sellers…they are both the exact same name of fabric and supposedly suppose to be the same fabric). Does anyone else see the difference?
The background browns are different shades of brown and the circles are completely a different color (one is more gray and the other is more tan). AND (as weird as this sounds), I think the circles on one of them is a bit thicker than the other. How can this be? *sigh*
I know…they were on different bolts, printed at a different time, blah, blah, blah. So, my question is this…
Do I use the new fabric for the binding (the fabric that doesn’t even match what is used quite a bit in the quilt already)? It doesn’t clash or anything, but it’s noticeably different. OR…do I go back to the first Etsy seller and buy more fabric from her to hopefully get the same lot and they match and sell or use this new (unmatched) fabric for something else. Would it bother you or make a difference? It IS just the binding, right? 
Oh…and in case you’re wondering…the fabric that I’ve used in the quilt already is the one on the top or left-hand side.
Creations
That would drive me crazy! I would try and order more of one of the bolts to try and get the same color.
Jan 08 at 9:05 am
I’m kinda thinking the same way, but we’re trying to tighten up our budget this year and spending another X.XX amount seems frivolous (although I would find use for the other fabric).
Jan 08 at 9:16 am
There is definitely a difference. I actually have that same fabric and looked to see how much I have left in my stash- I only have a small amount left (18 x 5 inch strip), but if you can use it, it’s yours. Personally, it would not bother me to have a slightly different color variation on the binding.
Jan 08 at 10:10 am
Hmmm, between what I have left of my stash and what you have left, I’ll have to see if that would be enough. If our stashes match, that might be the solution (and I can give you my other in return). I’ll let you know. Thanks Andrea!
Jan 08 at 3:53 pm
I’d try to get all the same. Good luck. that is so frustrating. even though it’s just binding—you want it to be whole..do you know what I mean? Not mix and match.
Jan 08 at 9:45 pm
Just checked to see how much I need and what Andrea has still won’t make it enough for me. Placed an order from the first Etsy seller I purchased from. Fingers crossed that it matches. *sigh*
Thanks so much for your opinion.
Jan 09 at 9:24 am
I know that it would bother YOU if it does not match, so you are smart, ordering more. But, I had to laugh at the one who said Not mix and match–Rachel, it was. Clever!
gg
Jan 09 at 6:26 pm
Grandma, you do know me well, don’t you. I’m hoping the new fabric that comes in from the same seller matches. If not, I’ll go to “Plan B”, which is purchasing the same pattern but in orange. It would bring out the oranges in the quilt, plus I just love orange and brown together (it was something I was toying with to begin with, but thought I would stick with a less bold color so it wasn’t so “kid-ish”).
Jan 09 at 10:59 pm
mixing and matching within a narrow color family can actually add depth to your quilt. if it was me, I’d either use all of one for the binding (if you have enough), and add something in that same fabric as an applique somewhere inside the quilt itself to pull it together and give it unity. Otherwise, if there’s not enough of one to do the whole binding in, I’d piece the two together every 3-5 inches or so and let the binding be alternating. It’s such a small difference in the two fabrics that it might add a very nice detail to the piece. But that’s something that you might not like personally, and what you as the maker likes is really what it’s about. Here’s an example of pieced binding on a quilt: http://www.ohfransson.com/.a/6a00e54ed03719883301156fad5259970b-pi
Jan 10 at 10:22 am
I hadn’t thought of that Danielle (to add an applique of the different fabric to the front to make it all work together). Good thought. I’ve already ordered some more of that fabric from the first Etsy seller. If it ends up being like the second fabric I ordered, I’ll do what you suggested. I also hadn’t thought of piecing the two fabrics together for the binding. I think since they are similar, I’m not sure I’d like it as much as the example you showed that has different colors. All great suggestions though. Thanks!
Jan 10 at 10:48 am
that totally makes sense. either way, you’ll have plenty of scraps to incorporate that fabric into other crafts!
Jan 11 at 9:25 am
That’s definitely the bonus of this extra fabric being somewhat neutral.
Jan 11 at 10:14 am
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