Stonefields Revisited

Way back in 2014 I was luck enough to take a class with Susan Smith and see the real 'Stonefields' Quilt, with her permission I took lots of photos, you can see them here http://emilyscupboard.blogspot.com/2014/09/stonefields-more-you-look-more-you-see.html

I has already started a BOM but after seeing the original I swapped out a lot of the fabrics.  I made 60 blocks and some rosettes and then got distracted by shiny new projects :( all my posts are here:
http://emilyscupboard.blogspot.com/search/label/Stonefields?max-results=20

I have tried a couple of times to finish it, but I couldn't decide how I wanted to set the blocks, I knew I wanted to change it from the original.  I had this Dutch Chintz panel and I thought it would look good in the centre.  I love medallion quilts!

 I put everything up on my design wall but something wasn't right.

It looks too fussy, maybe it just needs a simple border to frame it?

It didn't matter which fabric I used for a border, it still didn't look right - believe me I tried several!!  I have decided that the problem is the colours in the centre panel, whilst I love them, they are strong and rich, and just a bit too shouty for the delicate pale blues, pinks, ivory and grey of the blocks, it competes too much, so I will save it for the centre of another quilt.  

I love Strippy Quilts and I decided that is what I will do, I found a lovely length of an old Andover fabric in my stash which I think works well, and a lovely cream tone on tone for sashing strips.

Yes I like this, much softer.  I will hand quilt this one, the sashing is perfect for a nice soft cable.  I found  some more fabric in the stash that will be perfect for the backing.

Now I just need to piece the top! I have to finish the quilts for my sons first, but then this will be my focus project.