Dancing Spools – Time To Vote
February 14, 2010 at 7:53 pm 1,039 comments
I’ve got a new pattern in development and a new workshop to go with it. Trouble is I’m stalled. I need just a little kick in the rear to move into high gear and I’m counting on you to give it to me.
When I get an idea in my head for a new design I am laser sharp and totally focused. That lasts until I start cutting fabric. Then I go into “what if” mode. What if I turned it this way? What if I used this instead of that? What if it were bigger? Smaller? Brighter? Quieter? This? That? The other thing?!
The maiden voyage of Dancing Spools is on April 14th, just 2 months away! I’m done percolating and I’m chomping at the bit to make some quilts already. All the answers are set in my head except one: Closer together? Or, farther apart? I think I know which I like, but with all the second guessing, I’m putting it to a vote. That’s where you come in. One, two, three….VOTE!
Use the comment section on the blog. Click the word COMMENT below. If you get this in an email do NOT hit reply. Click the word COMMENT instead.
Closer together? Farther apart? If you can’t tell the difference or I’m too foolish to care, let me know that too. I just have to stop obsessing and move on. Make quilting history! Vote! Tell your friends!
Thank you!
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1. becky | February 14, 2010 at 8:05 pm
Closer together. It’s more active, dynamic.
2. Robin | February 14, 2010 at 8:10 pm
Closer
3. Nora J | February 14, 2010 at 8:12 pm
Closer together
4. Angela | February 14, 2010 at 8:13 pm
Further apart! :)
5. Ruthie | February 14, 2010 at 8:14 pm
I think I like them farther apart.
6. virtualquilter | February 14, 2010 at 8:14 pm
Closer together.
Or stack them side by side, just to confuse the issue!
7. Billie | February 14, 2010 at 8:29 pm
I like them closer together.
8. Michelle Wyman | February 14, 2010 at 8:30 pm
Closer together. The farther apart ones look a little lost.
9. Lynn | February 14, 2010 at 8:35 pm
Closer together
10. Vicki | February 14, 2010 at 8:45 pm
Difficult – but I prefer them farther apart. Lovely colours!
11. Allie | February 14, 2010 at 8:58 pm
Closer – creates more excitement!
12. Susann Trandem | February 14, 2010 at 9:22 pm
At first it was farther apart but after really looking I like them closer together.
13. Caron Mosey | February 14, 2010 at 9:26 pm
Closer. Definitely closer. More intense!
14. sandy | February 14, 2010 at 9:40 pm
Close
15. Cathy | February 14, 2010 at 9:46 pm
Closer together. The pattern is more obvious and “flows” better.
16. Nancy | February 14, 2010 at 9:55 pm
Farther apart
17. JoAnne | February 14, 2010 at 10:06 pm
I like farther apart better.
18. Elaine Adair | February 14, 2010 at 10:09 pm
Om my gosh – I wanted to see what the others said, and it’s almost even each way.
Closer seems more traditional – I like it.
Farther apart is a little out of ‘normal’ – I like it.
Sorry, I’m just wishy-washy! 8-)))
19. Elaine P | February 14, 2010 at 10:48 pm
Further apart, but I like wide open spaces for quilting so perhaps I’m a bit biased. :)
20. Debbie | February 14, 2010 at 11:06 pm
The farther apart one is better. The closer one looks more cluttered.
21. Lynn B. | February 14, 2010 at 11:19 pm
closer together
22. Laura | February 15, 2010 at 12:27 am
further apart, they hae room to breathe and be comfy. 8->
23. sophie | February 15, 2010 at 12:29 am
How about splitting the difference and making them just a little further apart than your closer together version . . . or a little closer together than your farther apart one?
It’s crazy talk, I know . . . but that’s my vote ;-)
24. Cherylquiltnut | February 15, 2010 at 12:43 am
I like closer together. More cohesive.
25. Krista | February 15, 2010 at 2:29 am
How big is the quilt? If this is all the blocks, I like them closer together. But if it’s going to be a big quilt, that feels like it would be overwhelming, and farther apart would be better.
26. Susan | February 15, 2010 at 1:08 pm
I agree, depends on the size of the quilt. And how much quilting you might want to do.
27. Marianne | February 15, 2010 at 2:50 am
Closer together, then you get a secondary pattern creeping in. Great pattern btw
28. Marie-Thérèse | February 15, 2010 at 5:08 am
Hi Ami
It depends on the rest of the quilt. Seeing only this block, I think closer is better.
29. Harry Barnett | February 15, 2010 at 6:16 am
I would go with the ones that are closer together. But don’t count this vote, I am always wrong according to my wife. I will never pick a paint color again…
-Harry
30. Diane McClure | February 15, 2010 at 7:42 am
I realy like them further apart, but then I like to fill spaces with quilting. Have fun which ever way you go.
31. sharon | February 15, 2010 at 7:43 am
farther apart for me…
32. Teri | February 15, 2010 at 7:50 am
I fall into the further apart category as I like the secondary visual pattern that happens.
Teri
33. Barb Chojnacki | February 15, 2010 at 7:58 am
My first impression was closer together was better, but there’s so much more movement in further apart- keeps your eyes jumping around, and I like that. Soooo… my vote is for further apart.
34. Debbie | February 15, 2010 at 8:05 am
farther
35. Susan | February 15, 2010 at 8:14 am
Closer together
36. Edelle | February 15, 2010 at 8:17 am
closer together
37. Chris | February 15, 2010 at 8:23 am
I think I like it closer together – but they are both lovely.
38. Colette | February 15, 2010 at 8:24 am
Closer is better for me, but both look good…looking forward to being a “guinea pig”.
39. Kathy Larrieu | February 15, 2010 at 8:24 am
Closer – secondary pattern.
40. Ruth Garrett | February 15, 2010 at 8:32 am
Further apart. For reasons, I can’t explain, it just feels more right that way.
(Actually, it would be really cool if the center ones were closer and the outer ones further to create a look of emanating from the center – but that would be WAY too much math for me!)
41. peggysue | February 15, 2010 at 8:34 am
further apart. Looks hum drum close together. AND I can imagine some cool quilting in between the further apart spools.
PSD
42. Amy | February 15, 2010 at 8:41 am
Further apart
43. Chris Turner | February 15, 2010 at 8:41 am
Farther apart! I’ve made similar quilts, and the design gets lost, to me at least, when the spools are so close together. I want your design for the spread apart ones, please!
44. Carolyn Sands | February 15, 2010 at 8:56 am
Closer together is more appealing.
45. mary lou eustace | February 15, 2010 at 8:58 am
further apart for me
46. Sue | February 15, 2010 at 9:00 am
closer together!
47. Barbara D'Angelo | February 15, 2010 at 9:16 am
I like the movement of the further apart, seems less cluttered too.
48. Linda Burton | February 15, 2010 at 9:26 am
I like the farther apart. Looks less jumbled, and puts the emphasis on the spools.
49. SuAnne | February 15, 2010 at 9:36 am
I am loving this pattern either way. If it were mine I am thinking about all the wonderful quilting in between spools on the “farther apart” quilt. thinking about different colored threads to match the spools making it look like the threads are loose and intertwined together to make a quilted pattern.
50. Scott Murkin | February 15, 2010 at 9:37 am
farther apart–I like a little more negative space
51. Kathi | February 15, 2010 at 9:38 am
Farther apart – you get a secondary design!
52. Kristin Hoog | February 15, 2010 at 9:39 am
I think the spools are more clear as “spools” when they are placed further apart. If your primary goal is to focus on the spools in dancing with spools than further apart is the way to go. If you goal is to focus on the fabric and the design, with the “ah-ha” moment being when one stumbles upon the spools then closer is better.
53. Connie Dye | February 15, 2010 at 10:05 am
closer
54. Janie Todd | February 15, 2010 at 10:07 am
Closer together….
55. Beth | February 15, 2010 at 10:07 am
Closer together! My eye found that it followed that one better!
56. Peggy Q | February 15, 2010 at 10:07 am
I like them closer together. The colors you chose for the samples are great and makes it so cheery.
57. Ellen Gadow | February 15, 2010 at 10:07 am
I think they are more noticeable as thread spools by being further apart
58. MaggieK | February 15, 2010 at 10:08 am
Further to allow for nice quilting
59. Sandy | February 15, 2010 at 10:08 am
Closer together! They look more like they are dancing!
60. Mary E. Williams | February 15, 2010 at 10:08 am
Closer together
61. Shirley | February 15, 2010 at 10:09 am
Farther apart – - gives your eyes a rest before you look for the next spool, as if you’d dropped them on the floor.
62. Ruth Hawley | February 15, 2010 at 10:09 am
Closer together…
63. Wanda in IL | February 15, 2010 at 10:09 am
Further apart. I think it shows off the blocks better.
64. Mary Durham | February 15, 2010 at 10:09 am
I like them both, but I like the further apart one better.
65. Charlotte | February 15, 2010 at 10:10 am
Closer together
66. Julia Ashley | February 15, 2010 at 10:10 am
closer together…I dont know why, just appeals to me more.
67. Mary Ann | February 15, 2010 at 10:10 am
Closer I think although there is a lot of energy in the farther apart!
68. Sandra Drake | February 15, 2010 at 10:11 am
Closer together, please!
69. Marian | February 15, 2010 at 10:11 am
Farther apart
70. Terri | February 15, 2010 at 10:11 am
Farther apart looks better to me.
71. Sue Zubrick | February 15, 2010 at 10:11 am
Love it. Especially farther apart.
72. Eileen | February 15, 2010 at 10:11 am
I like farther apart.
73. Mary Jayne | February 15, 2010 at 10:11 am
I like them closer together
74. Connie | February 15, 2010 at 10:11 am
Closer together. Just seems to look better. I am curious to know which one Ami prefers?
75. Sue | February 15, 2010 at 10:12 am
closer
76. Sue | February 15, 2010 at 10:13 am
farther apart
77. Louidr | February 15, 2010 at 10:12 am
closer
78. Patti | February 15, 2010 at 10:12 am
Farther apart, please.
79. Sherry Whitford | February 15, 2010 at 10:12 am
I always did like close dancing!
80. Leann Y | February 15, 2010 at 10:12 am
Farther apart.
81. Sue | February 15, 2010 at 10:12 am
Closer together would be my choice.
82. Dovie Kapoh | February 15, 2010 at 10:12 am
further apart.
83. Debbie | February 15, 2010 at 10:13 am
Further apart…. really cute!!!
84. Denise Martin | February 15, 2010 at 10:13 am
The closer together ones are going to bump into each other when they dance. Farther apart is better.
85. Alice | February 15, 2010 at 10:14 am
Further apart!
86. Karolyn Baker | February 15, 2010 at 10:14 am
Closer is better!
87. Joy | February 15, 2010 at 10:14 am
Further apart for more quilting in between.
88. jeanne reynen | February 15, 2010 at 10:14 am
Farther apart. cheers!
89. M | February 15, 2010 at 10:14 am
I go with Sophie’s (23) comment – split the difference.
The farther apart seems be moving and more lively, vibrant – is the quilt to be lively? But then I like closer too, as it might be a good background for applique if done in different colors.
90. Alice | February 15, 2010 at 10:15 am
Farther apart!
91. Liz Whitehead | February 15, 2010 at 10:15 am
mix them up – use both
92. claudia | February 15, 2010 at 10:15 am
i like the closer together one, especially for a wallhanging or smaller quilt, the farther apart one for a larager quilt
93. Sue | February 15, 2010 at 10:15 am
I’m in the farther apart group especially if the whole quilt will have a whole lot more spools than show in this pic.
94. Carole Doyle | February 15, 2010 at 10:15 am
I likte them farther apart. The spools show up better that way.
95. julie | February 15, 2010 at 10:16 am
I like the spools spread farther apart.
96. Ellen Cabluck | February 15, 2010 at 10:16 am
Farther apart–closer seems obvious–and I like it farther apart. And in the spirit of being wishy-washy it will definitely be great either way.
97. Alice Luchini | February 15, 2010 at 10:17 am
Closer together–it looks more cohesive and that there is a theme and some thought that went into it.
98. Becky in KCMO | February 15, 2010 at 10:17 am
close.
99. Christie Hardt | February 15, 2010 at 10:17 am
Wow, I think you are going to be sorry you asked looking at all the opinions. There is no doubt in my mind that I like farther apart, shows off better and looks a little quirkier that way to me.
100. Kathy | February 15, 2010 at 7:00 pm
I got to be honest here I don;t like it at all but if you do do it father apart is better
101. Angela | February 15, 2010 at 10:17 am
Another vote for closer together.
102. Joyce | February 15, 2010 at 10:17 am
Farther apart
103. C.Ludwick | February 15, 2010 at 10:18 am
I like the spools farther apart.
104. Linda Badurek | February 15, 2010 at 10:19 am
Farther apart is my choice! I can’t wait to see which you decide now! Are you doing a class on it? …in Colorado again someday?
105. Teresa | February 15, 2010 at 10:19 am
On the fence on this one! Both look great. I’m absolutely NO help, sorry. Teresa
106. Judy | February 15, 2010 at 10:19 am
Farther apart.
107. Sharon Morton | February 15, 2010 at 10:19 am
Farther apart..makes the spools stand out!
108. Charley the Dog | February 15, 2010 at 10:19 am
Closer together
109. barbquilts | February 15, 2010 at 10:19 am
I like further apart…… looks like your fans are divided on this one!
110. Carol | February 15, 2010 at 10:19 am
closer together
111. Sandra Kaufman | February 15, 2010 at 10:19 am
Closer together but I don’t know why.
112. Barb | February 15, 2010 at 10:20 am
Farther apart:)
113. Joanie | February 15, 2010 at 10:20 am
Further apart
114. kathy18951 | February 15, 2010 at 10:20 am
wow…. 2 fabulous looks!.
closer together would make a nice quick smaller piece, table runner wall hanging… while further apart really makes the fabrics used stand out.
if i had to pick one… further apart!
kath
115. Anne Davis | February 15, 2010 at 10:20 am
Farther apart
116. Ruthie | February 15, 2010 at 10:21 am
Closer together!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They show more unity and placement had thought.
But, remember this is from someone who doesn’t show her work.
Ruthie
117. Kathy | February 15, 2010 at 10:21 am
Closer together.
118. Jackie Greensage | February 15, 2010 at 10:21 am
Farther apart………..makes each spool stand out and makes a subtle secondary design in the background.
119. Didi | February 15, 2010 at 10:22 am
I like them farther apart, and bright colors! Like spools of the designer variegated threads ie., King Tut by Superior.
here’s a what if…..the background was darker and the spool ends lighter, keep the stripes bright? Like light wood? Love using stripes for the threads.Or a gradated background, lighter near the top, getting darker toward the bottom. The beige background seems so “predictable”.
My two cents! :-)
120. Penny | February 15, 2010 at 10:22 am
Closer together makes the spools pop.
121. Linda newman | February 15, 2010 at 10:23 am
Further apart
122. Barbara Garner | February 15, 2010 at 10:23 am
Further apart – lets you focus on the individual spools. My eyes jump from one to the other when they are closer.
123. dorthy | February 15, 2010 at 10:23 am
Farther apart.
124. Jean | February 15, 2010 at 10:23 am
Closer is better
125. kwiltn | February 15, 2010 at 10:23 am
further apart
126. Mary Claire | February 15, 2010 at 10:24 am
Closer, but both ways are good.
127. Melynda Holtsberry | February 15, 2010 at 10:25 am
Farther apart. It sets off the individual spools. The closer version is too busy.
128. Becky | February 15, 2010 at 10:25 am
Farther apart. The spools appear more 3-dimensional that way. Closer together makes me think Cathedral Windows … nothing wrong with that but is that the effect you want?
129. Penny Simmons | February 15, 2010 at 10:25 am
Farther apart! Love the design!
130. Dawn | February 15, 2010 at 10:25 am
Further apart — doesn’t look as cluttered. I also think there is more movement…………
131. Becky | February 15, 2010 at 10:26 am
Closer together.
132. Dee Marie | February 15, 2010 at 10:26 am
Farther apart! The closer one makes me dizzy to look at it.
133. Joann | February 15, 2010 at 10:26 am
Further apart is my vote. I like the space between them.
Closer together is too “busy” for me, but that’s just me. ;-)
134. Gladys Dillemuth | February 15, 2010 at 10:26 am
Further apart. I like the secondary pattern that emerges. It just feels better to my eyes.
135. Connie | February 15, 2010 at 10:27 am
Closer
136. Barbara Webster | February 15, 2010 at 10:27 am
closer together – more cohesive, more dynamic, more dramatic, looks harder to make, looks more balanced – is wonderful that you are soliciting opinions – great idea!
On the other hand – if you do a block with them closer together, it could work to have a lot of “blank” space around them to draw attention to them and give the eye a place to rest. So large “blank border” around the closer together spacing would bring the drama I’d reach for…
137. Sue Baker | February 15, 2010 at 10:27 am
Farther
138. Bev C | February 15, 2010 at 10:28 am
closer, but if this is a pattern, maybe offer a further apart option?
139. mymaterialgirls | February 15, 2010 at 10:29 am
Further apart – thank you
140. Sandy Bartelsmeyer | February 15, 2010 at 10:29 am
Closer together definitely gets my vote!
141. Monica Massanyi | February 15, 2010 at 10:29 am
I like them farther apart – they truly look more like they are dancing or floating that way
142. Sue Buchanan | February 15, 2010 at 10:29 am
Further apart, with instructions that the spools must be of a striped fabric, not a fabric that reads as a solid. That really gives the spool look, not just an interesting design. Hmm, thinking of ways that needles (very tall, thin wedges) could be incorporated into the border or quilting….
143. Judy L | February 16, 2010 at 7:44 am
Oh, I like that idea.
144. Patricia | February 15, 2010 at 10:30 am
Further apart. . doesn’t look sooo cluttered!
145. Phyllis | February 15, 2010 at 10:30 am
Closer-makes the colors on the spools “jump out” more.
146. Judy Smith | February 15, 2010 at 10:30 am
Closer
147. Deb Sims | February 15, 2010 at 10:31 am
Farther apart.
148. Jeanann | February 15, 2010 at 10:31 am
Farther apart.
Nice pattern. Love scrap quilts
149. Shari Wiseman | February 15, 2010 at 10:32 am
At first impression, I liked closer together — but after looking at them for a few minutes, I changed my mind. Definitely farther apart. The closer together group becomes just that –a group. The farther apart spools allow my eyes to travel from spool to spool, enjoying the fabric and design in each one.
150. marianne | February 15, 2010 at 10:32 am
I can’t believe anyone said closer..further apart!
151. Peggy Simmons | February 15, 2010 at 10:32 am
When I looked at them from about 6 feet away, I really liked them farther apart. My impression was that closer together was too busy.
152. Fran | February 15, 2010 at 10:32 am
Closer!
153. Lynn W | February 15, 2010 at 10:33 am
Closer together.
154. Carole | February 15, 2010 at 10:33 am
Further apart please.
155. faith | February 15, 2010 at 10:33 am
further apart
156. LInda Asakov | February 15, 2010 at 10:33 am
Closer together really creates a solid looking block
157. Nancy DeVries | February 15, 2010 at 10:33 am
I like the closer together. I am with you, its a gut reaction.
158. Linda Meyer | February 15, 2010 at 10:33 am
Not so simple as this or that,,,it’s gray Feb. so I’m drawn to the lighter colors (apart), but how the blocks would look in a multi block arrangement may be a different choice depending upon the overall pattern created.and of course the color choice. Ami, you have all of the pieces, so really you are the only one in the position to make a design. A lot of help I’ve been :-)
159. Patti | February 15, 2010 at 10:34 am
Further
160. Shirley Swenson | February 15, 2010 at 10:34 am
Definiteliy farther apart
161. Margie Veon | February 15, 2010 at 10:34 am
farther apart so the colors “pop” !!
162. polly pulver | February 15, 2010 at 10:34 am
My eyes tell me farther apart is more interesting, makes the eye travel around the design. Closer together makes the eye take it in all at one glance, not so interesting to view.
163. Michelle Lynch | February 15, 2010 at 10:35 am
I like further apart…the closer together they are the less it looks like spools of thread.
164. Honeylioness | February 15, 2010 at 10:36 am
I vote for farther apart. The closer version is too busy and chaotic for my eye – and with the additional space the fabric and pattern of each spool gets a chance to shine
165. Dee | February 15, 2010 at 10:36 am
Farther apart…I think it makes each spool look more dramatic
166. Linda Payne | February 15, 2010 at 10:36 am
Both are nice, but I like the closer one best
167. barbara | February 15, 2010 at 10:36 am
closer
168. Brenda Prime | February 15, 2010 at 10:36 am
Further apart was my first reaction so I will go with that.
169. Susan B. | February 15, 2010 at 10:37 am
Closer together, but that’s just me. :>) I’m never a fan of wide borders/sashes/empty spaces. I like busy. The exception, of course, is if you plan on doing a lot of fancy quilting in those spaces. I, too, was wondering about the size. If it’s a small wall quilt, definitely closer together, maybe with a wide border for any fancy quilting? But if it’s a huge bed quilt to be used horizontally, then maybe wider would be the way to go. (Didn’t help much, did it)?
170. Janet Bray | February 15, 2010 at 10:37 am
I like it calmer and farther apart. I am thinking about the spaces for quilting too!
171. sandi | February 15, 2010 at 10:38 am
I like them both ways, I know I’m no help. Sandi
172. Beverly Seibenhener | February 15, 2010 at 10:38 am
I prefer them farther apart.
173. Helen Johnston | February 15, 2010 at 10:39 am
Farther apart – makes it look like a tile floor
174. Susan McD | February 15, 2010 at 10:39 am
Like the tortilla commercial, why not both? Is it that much more difficult to include a version of the square if someone wants them further apart? I prefer them closer together, to see the colors of the “threads” play against each other. (I’d do a black background or pure white). But I could imagine being in a workshop where some of us did one version and some the other. Vive la difference!
175. Sharon Decker | February 15, 2010 at 10:40 am
When they are closer together it becomes a more cohesive design and less like individual blocks just sewn together.
176. Kathy | February 15, 2010 at 10:40 am
Farther apart! Both patterns are great, but it’s more pleasing farther apart.
177. Jane V | February 15, 2010 at 10:40 am
I like the further apart better gives room to breath and the colours are brighter
178. Corinne Meharg | February 15, 2010 at 10:40 am
Farther apart makes them look more like spools. I like them floating, when they’re tight, it makes me feel agitated.
179. martha | February 15, 2010 at 10:41 am
At first I liked the farther apart ones because it looked as if there was a three dimensional effect with each spool sitting on a raised area. Then noticed that the different values of the fabric used for the background were really random, not organized, and the 3D effect is in some parts of both arrangements (at least as I see it). I still like the farther apart one best.
I think that is really cool thread on the spools wherever they end up. :)
180. Mitzi Oakes | February 15, 2010 at 10:42 am
I like the spools farther apart – it makes them more visible. But bvoth are really neat.
Snowless in Vermont – Mitzi
181. Marie Zaczkowski | February 15, 2010 at 10:44 am
Further apart.
182. Sharon | February 15, 2010 at 10:44 am
I like them further apart better.
183. Pam Larsen | February 15, 2010 at 10:44 am
Why not just include both options in the pattern and let each quilter make his/her own choice? I can see times that I would prefer both. Pretty pattern.
184. Sheila | February 15, 2010 at 10:45 am
I like further apart. Looks cleaner.
185. brendalou | February 15, 2010 at 10:46 am
closer
186. nmack | February 15, 2010 at 10:46 am
I like closer together. But go with your instinct for the way you “think” you know what you like.
187. Kitty | February 15, 2010 at 10:46 am
Closer. But, will this make a difference in how you teach the workshop? And, which would be the easiest for your students to learn and finish in the class time alloted?
Love your fabric choices!
188. Ellen Lee | February 15, 2010 at 10:46 am
I like them farther apart. From the votes thus far, I know we aren’t very helpful in giving you a clear decision!
189. SillyPoet | February 15, 2010 at 10:47 am
Definitely further apart. :)
190. pati | February 15, 2010 at 10:47 am
I prefer the further apart. BTW I find myself doing the same “what if’s” when I design. My other problem is usually the name. At least you have a great name for this & I can’t think of a better one.
191. Katherine Carter | February 15, 2010 at 10:48 am
father apart. to appreciate the colors. close and they are just a bunch.
192. Gretchen | February 15, 2010 at 10:48 am
Farther apart!
193. Lori in MD | February 15, 2010 at 10:49 am
Definitely closer together. It looks more active.
194. Ruth Garrett | February 15, 2010 at 10:49 am
I swear I commented before, but I can’t find it now.
Further apart is awesome!
My favorite choice would be close together in the center and further apart on the outside, but that’s easy for me to say since I wouldn’t be the one doing the math!!! :-)
195. Barbara Rechtfertig | February 15, 2010 at 10:49 am
Farther apart
196. Kathleen Bulford Barden | February 15, 2010 at 10:49 am
What seems important to my eye is not the distance apart of the spools but the fabric choice for those pieces. The more contrast between the spool and the background, the more interesting the piece becomes.
197. Louise | February 15, 2010 at 10:49 am
Closer together
198. Beth Schnellenberger (QuilterBeth) | February 15, 2010 at 10:49 am
I like the spools farther apart. It is a bit unexpected and the spools are more defined.
199. Debbie Harmon | February 15, 2010 at 10:50 am
Farther apart, from a distance they look like real spools tossed on a bed. I like it that way.
200. Linda Hammontree | February 15, 2010 at 10:51 am
BOTH! Need to make a quick quilt, farther apart. Need one just for “me”..closer together!
201. Marie Kissinger | February 15, 2010 at 10:51 am
I like the ones closer together-I like the closer ones-more united. Maybe an option for both could be included int he pattern-they both look great but the closer one hits me a bit better-looking forward to seeing the pattern.
Thanks for your enthusiasm, experience, stories and encouragement.
202. Judy Rapelje | February 15, 2010 at 10:51 am
closer
203. Pat | February 15, 2010 at 10:51 am
Closer
by about 51%, so farther is 49%.
Both look good.
204. Beth Hartford | February 15, 2010 at 10:52 am
Closer together for sure, gives me a warm fuzzy feeling, much more so than the spread apart version. Hugs!
205. Darlene | February 15, 2010 at 10:52 am
Farther apart. Makes more room for quilting. The closer on looks too crowded unless its just the dark colors.
206. Liinda Frihart | February 15, 2010 at 10:52 am
First and last impression: Closer together.
Then again, why not print the pattern with option of closer together or farther apart? I know not an option because of cost to print.
207. Lynn | February 15, 2010 at 10:53 am
close together
208. Donna | February 15, 2010 at 10:53 am
Further apart. My spools seem to scatter further and further themselves.
209. Joanne Coy | February 15, 2010 at 10:53 am
Farther apart – That would make the colors show up better, I think.
210. Jan | February 15, 2010 at 10:53 am
I like the farther apart.
211. Mari | February 15, 2010 at 10:53 am
You sound so like me! Farther apart for dark colors, I think!
212. Elaine | February 15, 2010 at 10:53 am
I prefer the closer together — think it gives more of a “dancing” feel. I think it’s fun to be able to get a sneak peek at your new patterns.
213. Mary C | February 15, 2010 at 10:53 am
I like them further apart. It gives each spool its own space to shine!
214. Marilyn Faiola | February 15, 2010 at 10:54 am
Further part.
215. Barbera | February 15, 2010 at 10:55 am
Close together seems more appropriate for a wall hanging or a lap quilt, while further apart seems to better fit a bed quilt size.
216. Mary Ann Mullen | February 15, 2010 at 10:55 am
I like the Spools – Farther apart – but, the first three comments I saw they said the opposite.
I still like Farther Apart…
217. Gini Ewers | February 15, 2010 at 10:57 am
Either way works for me. Would depend on how much and how intricate I want the quilting in between. Stop fretting.
218. Brenda | February 15, 2010 at 10:57 am
Definitely closer together
219. Mary Rogers | February 15, 2010 at 10:58 am
Farther apart
220. Diane Wick | February 15, 2010 at 10:58 am
closer
221. Anne Passafiume | February 15, 2010 at 10:58 am
Closer together concentrates on the spools rather than the background.
222. Cindy | February 15, 2010 at 10:59 am
Further apart. When they are closer together I have a more difficult time seeing the “spools”. I like the definition when they are further apart and LOVE the shape!
223. ES Lindemann | February 15, 2010 at 10:59 am
I prefer the closer together.
However, I like the colors of the further apart. Having the same colors of spools would have helped make a more decisive suggestion.
The further apart pattern would lend itself to a signature quilt.
224. Sue Goecker | February 15, 2010 at 10:59 am
I like the one on the left Ami – except it has something in the tan fabric just below the center and a little to the right that makes the center and right look connected instead of like the other spools. Sort of hard to describe, but like a shadow. Really cute pattern., I can imagine using a lot of cute scraps from this OR a fabric line itself for this pattern. History in the making!
225. Carolyn | February 15, 2010 at 10:59 am
I wanted to like the ones closer together but my eyes kept going to the ones farther apart. So my vote is for the farther so my eyes can rest.
226. Nancy lee | February 15, 2010 at 11:00 am
Further apart.
227. Mrs Moen | February 15, 2010 at 11:00 am
Farther apart; makes each spool stand out a bit more.
228. Kathy | February 15, 2010 at 11:01 am
I think farther apart. It allows a little more definition of the individual spools.
229. Sandra | February 15, 2010 at 11:02 am
Closer – it emphasizes the spools.
230. Marsha | February 15, 2010 at 11:02 am
Closer together.
231. cristal skye | February 15, 2010 at 11:02 am
i like them a bit further apart.
can’t wait to see the finished pattern.
232. Betty Mlejnek | February 15, 2010 at 11:02 am
Farther apart!
233. Lynda | February 15, 2010 at 11:03 am
I vote for farhter apart
234. Anne | February 15, 2010 at 11:05 am
I think they dance more farther apart. I’d give it a different name if it was closer together.
235. Bid Drake | February 15, 2010 at 11:05 am
It will be a COOL quilt either way, but…
Farther apart the spools stand out more.
(I realized afterwards that my lovely stack-and-whack squares were too crowded unless one is really close.)
236. lorraine | February 15, 2010 at 11:06 am
closer together. Can’t tell you why!
237. Ellie | February 15, 2010 at 11:06 am
closer….. they look more like they are dancing
238. Joy | February 15, 2010 at 11:06 am
closer – the background doesn’t have so much part in the picture that way
239. Barbara A Gans | February 15, 2010 at 11:06 am
Closer together makes it more interesting. I would use all the colors in the spools to make a border and then bind with the dark brown.
240. Bobbi Shannonn | February 15, 2010 at 11:06 am
further apart is better and it defines the spool pattern more. I like the look of spools.
241. Theresa | February 15, 2010 at 11:06 am
I like them both! Maybe your pattern could include both options?
242. Edwina Murray | February 15, 2010 at 11:07 am
I like them farther apart. It makes another whole pattern stand out,.
243. Bobbi Shannonn | February 15, 2010 at 11:07 am
Further apart is best as I like the definition of the spools. Too close together loses impact
244. Cindy Beck | February 15, 2010 at 11:07 am
I vote for further apart.
245. aimee | February 15, 2010 at 11:08 am
Closer….I like how they become a design unit that way.
First thing I thought of was a quilt with lots of spools…a great way to use up my many boxes of bits and pieces/leftover fabrics and make a bright colorful quilt.
Can’t wait to see what you do!
246. Val | February 15, 2010 at 11:08 am
Definitely closer!
247. Patrica | February 15, 2010 at 11:08 am
I’m loving the further apart option, more movement to me.
248. Karen | February 15, 2010 at 11:10 am
I like the one with the spools further apart. Also like the bright colors of the thread.
249. rachel | February 15, 2010 at 11:10 am
farther apart, its a great idea.
250. Mitzie Keys | February 15, 2010 at 11:10 am
If you are going for “Dancing Spools of Thread”, I vote for farther apart. They look more like individaul spools of thread that way. You could have them connected by appliqueing(?) loose threads from spool to spool or just have threads from some floating off doing their own thing. I like the pattern. Good luck with it & your workshops. You are a great teacher. It was very nice to meet you at the Delaware workshop after reading your newsletter for years.
251. Andrea | February 15, 2010 at 11:11 am
Further apart, the secondary pattern is more obvious and each spool stands on it own – IMHO – closer is more of a colour splodge.
Will be interested to see the results.
252. Kim Hazlett | February 15, 2010 at 11:11 am
Farther apart – love the design and LOVE LOVE LOVE the thread fabrics – so cool..
253. Sheila | February 15, 2010 at 11:12 am
Closer seems neater. You’ll be sorry you asked, Ami….the vote will probably end up 50-50!
254. Dolores | February 15, 2010 at 11:12 am
I vote for further apart. Just looks neater and less cluttered to me.
255. Karen V. | February 15, 2010 at 11:12 am
Farther – make the block sing!
256. Lill | February 15, 2010 at 11:13 am
I find further apart more aesthetically pleasing.
257. Hilary Neumann | February 15, 2010 at 11:14 am
closer…. I think when it isn’t close the background takes over.
258. Cindy Beck | February 15, 2010 at 11:14 am
…..because I like the negative space between the spools!
259. Marna | February 15, 2010 at 11:14 am
Farther apart. Needs the “white” space to make the spools popl
260. Barb | February 15, 2010 at 11:14 am
Closer together. More cohesive. Not as scattered-looking.
261. Brenda | February 15, 2010 at 11:14 am
Further apart, they look like you dropped some spools of thread. I think it is cute that way.
262. Linda | February 15, 2010 at 11:15 am
Farther apart…leaves more room for quilting…
263. Tammy | February 15, 2010 at 11:15 am
I like them further apart…
264. Kathy Jones | February 15, 2010 at 11:15 am
Closer together.
265. Diana Moreau | February 15, 2010 at 11:16 am
Here’s a little tough love for you. You admit to a preference, so choose it, already, and get going. It will be beautiful either way. I love your use of striped fabric for the thread, and am looking forward to seeing your completed quilt.
266. kay carlson | February 15, 2010 at 11:16 am
They shimmer and shake when farther apart :-)
Hugs to you for the great designs!
267. Charlotte Prouty | February 15, 2010 at 11:16 am
Closer together. Being a painter also, I tend to “set things down” with a shadow. The one that is further apart looks like the spools are floating in the air.
268. cathy | February 15, 2010 at 11:16 am
closer together
269. Allison C. Bayer | February 15, 2010 at 11:16 am
Farther apart — a little more room to get in there to quilt a meandering design; rather than just stitch-in-the-ditch.
270. Marian Mathewson | February 15, 2010 at 11:16 am
Closer
271. Willa Yates | February 15, 2010 at 11:16 am
CLOSER together
272. Jane B | February 15, 2010 at 11:17 am
further apart closer they seem to run together
273. Barb | February 15, 2010 at 11:17 am
I like closer.
274. Rowena Rickman | February 15, 2010 at 11:18 am
You can’t go wrong with either but I like the farther apart ones. It keeps my eyes moving all over the quilt so I look at it longer. I am also probably influenced by liking the somewhat more colorful fabrics as well.
275. Rita Waldock | February 15, 2010 at 11:19 am
Definitely closer together, it makes a larger impact. Great block!!
276. Bonnie Hernandez | February 15, 2010 at 11:20 am
Close Together. Provides more of an impact and I just like it better!
277. Collene | February 15, 2010 at 11:20 am
Closer
278. Vicki B. | February 15, 2010 at 11:23 am
I like both – but farther apart wins out!!
279. Yvonne | February 15, 2010 at 11:23 am
Closer together. I don’t know why I like it better. They seem more cohesive, perhaps. If the quilt is large, it might be better for them to be further apart.
280. Maryln | February 15, 2010 at 11:24 am
CLOSER TOGETHER IS MY CHOICE
281. Jane Sanders | February 15, 2010 at 11:24 am
Closer for sure. The wider setting almost creates a circular shape around the spools that got my eyes rolling around.
282. Carol | February 15, 2010 at 11:25 am
Farther apart.
283. Gloria | February 15, 2010 at 11:26 am
Visually, I like closer together.
Quilting-considered, I like further apart, more possibilities for them to ‘dance’.
284. quilterjan | February 15, 2010 at 11:26 am
Closer together seems to have more of a “punch” – so I vote for closer.
285. Leslie P. | February 15, 2010 at 11:27 am
Further apart, and I really like this. Good Luck!!
286. Linda Kramer | February 15, 2010 at 11:27 am
Farther apart is more visually pleasing.
287. Bunny | February 15, 2010 at 11:28 am
Closer together.
288. matandbren | February 15, 2010 at 11:28 am
closer
289. Bonnie | February 15, 2010 at 11:29 am
Further apart!!!
290. Sewlooselea | February 15, 2010 at 11:30 am
Father apart – I hand quilt and that way there is more space to enjoy…why not do both – futher apart in the center and closer on the outside….
291. Kathy | February 15, 2010 at 11:30 am
Its real close in my brain… I like them both almost equally… however.. I lean towards FURTHER APART, but just barely. Its also possible that whether they arer FURTHER or CLOSER might have a different look if the background was not white or off white… like black, red, tan, light grey, dark grey, turquoise or aqua… bright yellow…. hot pink……??? Is there room in the pattern directions to put side-comments for the “other” layout along with whatever you choose first ?
Side question, can’t see it well enuf to tell if there are Y seams… are there ?
292. Lois | February 15, 2010 at 11:30 am
Farther apart. Closer together looks like they’re jumbled together in a sewing box, whereas farther apart makes them look like they’re dancing (as if tossed into the air and dancing around). I’d stick with all lighter fabrics between the spools, too, for the same reason. I love the pattern and would make my quilt this way.
293. jackie | February 15, 2010 at 11:30 am
actually i like them both – give the variation with the pattern
294. Ellen | February 15, 2010 at 11:31 am
Closer is better. The value in your background on the farther apart – where the squiggly orange fabric is – is too dark……
295. Flo | February 15, 2010 at 11:32 am
I like them closer. The eye moves easily over them. The other, the eye jumps around and unpleasant to look at it.
296. Judy Morin | February 15, 2010 at 11:32 am
Farther apart – allows the indiviual blocks to be seen and appreciated while keeping the movement in the design.
297. Rita Farrell | February 15, 2010 at 11:32 am
Closer together looks better to me. It’s about the spools not the space.
298. Janice | February 15, 2010 at 11:32 am
closer
299. patricia oglesby | February 15, 2010 at 11:32 am
farther apart.
300. Bev Radaich | February 15, 2010 at 11:33 am
Farther apart, which allows the eye/s to concentrate on idividual spools. When they are closer together it appears more of a hodge podge. I like the extra room for a neat quilting design too. My vote might be influenced by the tread colors as well. The closer together spools appear dull while the farther apart sparkle.
301. Jennifer Ciaccio | February 15, 2010 at 11:34 am
Closer together
302. Carol | February 15, 2010 at 11:35 am
Closer together, looks better
303. maxinequilts | February 15, 2010 at 11:36 am
farther apart…I like the space in bewteen (as the quilter)..and bigger pieces would make it easier for the piecer as well.
It just looks less cluttered….
304. Karen | February 15, 2010 at 11:36 am
farther apart-easier on the eyes.
305. JayeL | February 15, 2010 at 11:36 am
My preference is closer together, but I would leave a little space between the larger blocks (what you are showing on the screen) so that you have a group of blocks a little closer together, then a little space and then another group of blocks closer together.
Also, some of the beiges (at least on my screen) look a little too dark for where you have placed them. You may want to stick to the lighter beiges or put the darker beiges on the outside where they have some space to breathe. Right now the one in the middle next to the two darker (teal??) spools looks shadowy.
Like the pattern. Nice work!
306. Donna | February 15, 2010 at 11:37 am
Closer together! Yes, that does look “busier” – but I like “busy.” They look so much friendlier and happier all close together – like they’re vying for the quilter’s attention – “Pick me, pick me . . . for your next project.” Closer looks like the jumble that is my thread box! But, Ami, it’s your pattern – for heaven’s sake, do it your way!
307. Carmen | February 15, 2010 at 11:37 am
I personally prefer them closer.
308. vljens | February 15, 2010 at 11:37 am
Closer together…….going to be a beautiful quilt!
309. Pam McDannold | February 15, 2010 at 11:37 am
I like them closer together and I don’t know why, just looks better to me!
310. Mary Ellen | February 15, 2010 at 11:37 am
closer
311. Linda Maine | February 15, 2010 at 11:39 am
I prefer further apart – looks ‘cleaner’, and I can tell what I’m looking at – it also makes my eyes move around the quilt, picking up the various colors, textures, spools, etc.
Thanks!
312. Celie | February 15, 2010 at 11:39 am
Further apart
313. Doreen Meier | February 15, 2010 at 11:39 am
Farther apart otherwise they look cluttered and you can’t really see the spools.. A lady in our guild had a similar quilt in the block exchange and after all was said and done they looked better further apart. What did Madison say?
314. Ginny | February 15, 2010 at 11:41 am
I stood back a few feet from the computer screen to compare them….farther apart is my vote.
315. Lori B. | February 15, 2010 at 11:42 am
It is really tough! I actually like them both ways, but if I had to say just one really quick it would be……farther apart! Ta da!
316. Barbara | February 15, 2010 at 11:42 am
Both are lovely. I understand your dilemma. EIther would be wonderful. Anyway to include both variations in your pattern??
317. Vivian | February 15, 2010 at 11:43 am
Farther apart is nicer
318. Karol | February 15, 2010 at 11:43 am
FARTHER apart. Much more pleasing to the eye (mine anyway) (lol)
319. Mary | February 15, 2010 at 11:44 am
Closer together. Looks calmer
320. Peggy | February 15, 2010 at 11:45 am
Farther apart
321. Jackie | February 15, 2010 at 11:46 am
Further apart looks much more modern.
322. Carol L. | February 15, 2010 at 11:47 am
farther apart.
323. Judy Chavez | February 15, 2010 at 11:47 am
Looks to me like the background fabric used is the element causing the ambivalence. With that particular fabric, I would say that farther apart is better.
324. Marlys | February 15, 2010 at 11:47 am
closer, then you would be able to use more fabrics!
325. Muriel | February 15, 2010 at 11:47 am
I think that further apart looks better but I like both.
326. lori | February 15, 2010 at 11:51 am
i’ve seen similar patterns closer together…farther is more unique and makes the spools seem like they are floating…my vote is farther! ( :
327. Lois Wright | February 15, 2010 at 11:51 am
I like the farther apart. You can see the spools better-less cluttered. And the quilting possibilities ! ! ! !
328. KayeT | February 15, 2010 at 11:51 am
I like them further apart as they seem to dance more freely.
329. Anne | February 15, 2010 at 11:52 am
Further apart ?
330. Marsha | February 15, 2010 at 11:52 am
I like farther apart so the colors of the spools show up better but you could put both options into your pattern so the quilter can choose which version they like.
331. Linda Niederoest | February 15, 2010 at 11:52 am
Further apart – it has more impact that way.
332. Holly Fitzpatrick | February 15, 2010 at 11:52 am
Closer together gets my vote. Really looks more ‘spooly’.
333. Barbara Musick | February 15, 2010 at 11:53 am
I prefer them further apart – they seem too cluttered closer and too busy. A quilt should be peaceful and calming. Then too, I like to see the quilting stitches between the spools.
334. Sandy | February 15, 2010 at 11:53 am
Closer together! I like the other one, too, but I think the spools look a bit like they’re going to spin completely away from each other.
335. Mary | February 15, 2010 at 11:53 am
Closer together. You lose the diamond shape the spools make when you put them further apart.
336. jackie | February 15, 2010 at 11:54 am
I like it farther apart. .
337. llynnda | February 15, 2010 at 11:54 am
closer
338. Jo Ann | February 15, 2010 at 11:54 am
I think the ones farther apart stand out more and make more of a statement, but they both look great!!
339. Patty Johnson | February 15, 2010 at 11:55 am
I like them closer together…it creates a better design.
340. Bev Hirsch | February 15, 2010 at 11:55 am
There’s something to be said for both. I think people who want to make it should be shown the two options. If I absolutely HAD to decide though I guess I’d go for the “close,” it has more movement, more of a dynamic feel to it. The ones that are further apart are very classy looking though. Do the eeny meeny miney moe thing.
341. Bonnie D. | February 15, 2010 at 11:55 am
Closer. Looks more like dancing together.
342. Karol Price | February 15, 2010 at 11:55 am
I like farther apart.
343. tama | February 15, 2010 at 11:55 am
closer
344. Linda | February 15, 2010 at 11:55 am
further apart
345. Jen | February 15, 2010 at 11:56 am
close together
346. Pam | February 15, 2010 at 11:56 am
I’m saying farther apart but actually I had to look very closely to see that they were father apart in the “farther apart” pic. Pretty design.
347. Betty | February 15, 2010 at 11:57 am
Closer, definitely!
348. Diane Lovejoy | February 15, 2010 at 11:58 am
Closer together.
349. Helen | February 15, 2010 at 11:59 am
Definitely closer
350. Rita | February 15, 2010 at 12:00 pm
I like them farther apart..It makes each spool stand out . Sort of makes me thing of what it looks like when I open my threadbox
351. Becky Kramarz | February 15, 2010 at 12:00 pm
I like them closer together, although I do like them both.
352. Rhoda Lubetkin | February 15, 2010 at 12:00 pm
Closer would be my choice. Great ideas for setting the finished squares pop into my head. Single row of spools around quilt on border would finish it off nicely.
353. Liz | February 15, 2010 at 12:00 pm
farther apart. get quilting. i’m anxious to see the results
liz
354. Marcia Gilbreath | February 15, 2010 at 12:01 pm
I like them both! Couldn’t you offer both in the same pattern? If I absolutely had to chose, I guess I would chose closer–no, farther–no– oh, I can’t decide!!
355. Mary Ener | February 15, 2010 at 12:01 pm
I vote “closer together”, however, they both look great.
356. Becky Kramarz | February 15, 2010 at 12:01 pm
I like them closer together.
357. Maureen | February 15, 2010 at 12:01 pm
Closer together.
358. Sherry | February 15, 2010 at 12:02 pm
closer together, the one further apart looks more like floating spools in space than dancing spools. love the pattern.
359. Cheryl English | February 15, 2010 at 12:02 pm
Closer! Definitely more exciting look.
360. Mary | February 15, 2010 at 12:02 pm
Closer together, looks like there are more spools
361. Barb Murdock | February 15, 2010 at 12:03 pm
closer together, it stands out more. But in the closer together sample you are using darker colors in the middle compared to the farther apart sample and that might make a difference.
362. Ann | February 15, 2010 at 12:03 pm
Closer together. It is going to be pretty. Zephyr says hi to Madison.
363. Nanka Pearce | February 15, 2010 at 12:05 pm
Further apart, my eyes find a place in between the spools to rest.
364. Maggie Szafranski | February 15, 2010 at 12:06 pm
Farther apart.
365. Clarel Herring | February 15, 2010 at 12:07 pm
I like them further apart best.
366. Pashtsmom | February 15, 2010 at 12:07 pm
Im finding the background fabric distracting in the further apart spools. If it were more uniform, I would like further apart better than closer together.
367. Joan | February 15, 2010 at 12:07 pm
Closer together
368. Harriet Fennema | February 15, 2010 at 12:08 pm
I like Closer Together
369. Laura | February 15, 2010 at 12:09 pm
Further apart
370. Kathy | February 15, 2010 at 12:09 pm
Very cute! I like them farther apart. It looks lighter and airer. Maybe the color has something to do with that too.
371. Kelly Smith | February 15, 2010 at 12:09 pm
I like them closer together.
372. Elizabeth Mesec | February 15, 2010 at 12:11 pm
Farther apart!! They look like they are dancing while floating.
373. Joyce Scanes | February 15, 2010 at 12:11 pm
I actually like both of them, but like closer together better.
374. Bev | February 15, 2010 at 12:11 pm
Farther apart. If my only option was making this with the spools closer together, I would not make this pattern. Seeing the spools farther apart, I’d definitely make this pattern! But with the option of closer would be great for those “closer” fans of yours!
375. Nancy Thompson | February 15, 2010 at 12:12 pm
farther apart – easier on the eyes!
376. Nancy Thompson | February 15, 2010 at 12:13 pm
What does awaiting moderation mean?
377. Diane Petersmarck | February 15, 2010 at 12:12 pm
Farther apart
378. Mary Lou | February 15, 2010 at 12:13 pm
Closer together – that way, the emphasis is on the spools. When there’s more space, the accent is on the background. IMHO, of course
379. Ruth | February 15, 2010 at 12:14 pm
Farther apart
380. Loreen | February 15, 2010 at 12:14 pm
Farther apart. gives them some space to dance!! ♥
381. nancy Helpinstill | February 15, 2010 at 12:14 pm
Further apart – definitely! Makes each spool more distinct on its own.
382. Carol | February 15, 2010 at 12:14 pm
I would probably do something crazy like have them start out one way and move towards the other as you move from the center to the outside of the quilt – close in the center and farther apart as you move outward or vice versa. Of course that is probably not any help whatsoever…..
383. Judi Werner | February 15, 2010 at 12:14 pm
Farther apart’n
384. Amy Sebring | February 15, 2010 at 12:15 pm
I would agree that closer makes more of a splash but I really like farther apart better.
385. Anne McDonnell | February 15, 2010 at 12:15 pm
farther apart
386. Sara Jane Spaulding | February 15, 2010 at 12:18 pm
I can’t tell from the size of the photos. Farther apart is cleaner, but in a larger size it may be too much space.
387. Kathy | February 15, 2010 at 12:19 pm
farther is my vote….most pleasing to my eyes.
388. Berb | February 15, 2010 at 12:19 pm
I like them both. I would like the option of choosing at the time. Can you put both instructions in the book – choose farther apart one with wonderful quilting in between for the main – then give the instructions for the option of closer together. Can’t wait to buy the book.
389. Phyllis | February 15, 2010 at 12:19 pm
Closer. It looks more “finished” or neater
390. marybeth | February 15, 2010 at 12:19 pm
i like further apart, if you are still looking for replies!
391. Karen | February 15, 2010 at 12:21 pm
closer together
392. Marti Johnson | February 15, 2010 at 12:24 pm
Further apart; dancers need space, especially Whirling Dervishes!
393. Nancy Brenan Daniel | February 15, 2010 at 12:25 pm
Offer both! I LOVE variety.
394. Kay | February 15, 2010 at 12:26 pm
farther apart
395. Mary Anne Kingston | February 15, 2010 at 12:26 pm
I think farther apart looks more like they are “dancing”
396. Sue Atteberry | February 15, 2010 at 12:27 pm
Personally I think farther apart is better. But, every quilter is going to have a different idea on this. How about 2 patterns? Than you will satisfy everybody. Just a thought. Luv u
397. Sheri Smith | February 15, 2010 at 12:30 pm
farther apart
398. Lori Sanders | February 15, 2010 at 12:32 pm
I like them closer together, like I like to dance!
399. Betdy Stephanic | February 15, 2010 at 12:32 pm
Closer together. Will you be teaching this in one of your home workshops??
400. Patricia | February 15, 2010 at 12:32 pm
I vote for farther apart. They can be distinguished as spools of thread and may be imagined to be spinning and that is what thread spools do, unwind and spin away while on the
sewing machine.
401. Jane Sims | February 15, 2010 at 12:32 pm
Definitely, closer.
402. Mona | February 15, 2010 at 12:33 pm
Farther apart………..
Having them too close makes it feel too “compacted” and I tend to lose sight of the individual spools….. especially with a scrappy use of fabric.
Too close makes the dance floor too crowded and I wouldn’t feel comfortable dancing on a packed floor! Ha! Give me a little room!
403. Alanna | February 15, 2010 at 12:33 pm
Further apart and images of Italian church floors come to mind. Closer together and it’s a bit more watercolor ish.
I think it depends on the final product. Wall hanging? Closer together. Bed quilt? Further apart.
404. Sherry | February 15, 2010 at 12:34 pm
farther apart
405. Maria Barr | February 15, 2010 at 12:35 pm
Wow! What a dilemma… I think I like them closer together. The negative space works better to set off the colors of the “thread”
406. karen | February 15, 2010 at 12:35 pm
Farther apart
407. Ellen Osten | February 15, 2010 at 12:35 pm
Farther apart.
408. cloe smith | February 15, 2010 at 12:36 pm
I like the further apart ones. great design
409. Loisjean | February 15, 2010 at 12:41 pm
Ami, how can I chose, I like them both!!!!!!!!! Okay, if I can only chose one, I go for the one with out the sashing between the spools. Whe the pattern is ready for selling, please tell us so I can order one.
410. Gwen Frazier | February 15, 2010 at 12:41 pm
I like furhter apart – it gives them definition
411. Donna Houck | February 15, 2010 at 12:41 pm
I like them closer!
412. Kay | February 15, 2010 at 12:43 pm
Closer together – Just seems more cohesive. Pretty either way tho! It’s all in the Eye of the Beholder.
413. Alyce | February 15, 2010 at 12:44 pm
Well, I like it further apart. That probably means most people like it closer together.
414. Nancy | February 15, 2010 at 12:44 pm
further apart
415. Sandy Post | February 15, 2010 at 12:46 pm
I ‘ve decided that I like it BOTH ways. Then the spools are truly dancing. Great pattern, by the way.
416. Kathy E. | February 15, 2010 at 12:46 pm
Further apart… less cluttered, more movement.
Kat
417. Leanne | February 15, 2010 at 12:46 pm
Farther apart. Each one is more recognizable. Closer is too busy.
418. Anne G | February 15, 2010 at 12:46 pm
Closer —
419. Deb | February 15, 2010 at 12:47 pm
Closer
420. Pam | February 15, 2010 at 12:47 pm
Closer together, definitely!
421. marty | February 15, 2010 at 12:48 pm
like the closer one
422. marty | February 15, 2010 at 12:48 pm
I like the closer one
423. Joyce D | February 15, 2010 at 12:49 pm
Further apart allows you to see the beautiful colored fabric in the thread areas…I like it. I too am stumped on a quilt for my youngest grandson. Need to send you a pic so you can help me get over the hump…
424. Shawn | February 15, 2010 at 12:49 pm
Farther apart. They look more impressive and appear to have a more floating quality.
425. Nancy | February 15, 2010 at 12:49 pm
Neat twist on a classic pattern, like the closer together if the spools are on the small side, if larger they might need some space. What fun!
426. Jo | February 15, 2010 at 12:50 pm
My husband says farther — I say closer.
Canceled vote.
427. quilter in oklahoma | February 15, 2010 at 12:51 pm
Closer. It draws my attention more and seems to have more movement
428. Nancy | February 15, 2010 at 12:51 pm
closer together – unequivocably.
429. Emma | February 15, 2010 at 12:52 pm
Farther apart. I just like the fact that they seem a little more defined.
430. Okie Dokie | February 15, 2010 at 12:53 pm
I prefer farther apart… it is more peaceful.
Closer together is more busy.
Guess it depends on one’s mood at the time, It looks like the vote might be close!
431. cathy | February 15, 2010 at 12:54 pm
further apart is easier on my eyes. :)
432. Pat Kellerman | February 15, 2010 at 12:54 pm
Closer together
433. Clarice Merritt | February 15, 2010 at 12:55 pm
closer. more excitement, more colors
434. Betsy | February 15, 2010 at 12:56 pm
Closer together gets my vote!
435. Toni | February 15, 2010 at 12:56 pm
I LOVE farther apart. Close is like a triditional view, not a new dancing view.
436. LuAnn Kessi | February 15, 2010 at 12:57 pm
Father apart……..will leave more room for some fun machine quilting in between the spools!
LuAnn in Oregon
437. Eleanor | February 15, 2010 at 12:57 pm
further apart.
438. Lydia | February 15, 2010 at 12:58 pm
I didn’t read through all the comments, but it looks like both versions are getting their share of votes. Personally, I prefer them further apart — but I like it either way. I just prefer the more open look, and with scrappy background fabrics, it’s another element of interest to be able to see all the different background fabrics better.
439. Deb Lybarger | February 15, 2010 at 12:58 pm
Hi Ami, I vote for farther apart for a bed quilt as it makes your eyes move around and could have a secondary pattern to compliment the spinning spools in the quilting design choice.
I would like the closer version for table toppers, table runners, and/or smaller wall hanging versions.
440. Mel | February 15, 2010 at 12:59 pm
Farther apart; I think the colors and design show up much better than “squeezed” together. But would be interested in the overall size of each block/unit.
441. Jane | February 15, 2010 at 1:00 pm
Further apart helps the spools show up better.
442. Julie J | February 15, 2010 at 1:02 pm
Closer
443. Patty | February 15, 2010 at 1:04 pm
Closer together…kind of like slow dancing, not doing the twist!
444. Lisa Finerty | February 15, 2010 at 1:05 pm
Further apart: the squares’ borders will tend to “disappear” and will be a full field frolic!
So even quilts have deadlines, too, eh?
445. Eve | February 15, 2010 at 1:07 pm
I prefer closer together… I like a dense design……
446. Janice Graziano | February 15, 2010 at 1:08 pm
I prefer farther apart “more room to dance” version. BUT, I agree with an earlier comment that the size of the quilt plays a big part. The closer together scale is needed for a small quilt (lap, wall hanging, miniature) but the dancing effect might get lost if the closer together version is done as a bed size quilt. Also important to the size/scale issue are your borders and how you are going to quilt it. But you know all that.
447. Rebecca Grant | February 15, 2010 at 1:09 pm
Personally, brighter colors and farther apart…I’m not in to slow dancing with fabric….
448. Debbi | February 15, 2010 at 1:09 pm
closer
449. Linda | February 15, 2010 at 1:10 pm
Closer together.
450. Sz | February 15, 2010 at 1:11 pm
I guess I am greedy….why not both?
451. Arlene | February 15, 2010 at 1:12 pm
Farther apart I like the spaces !!
452. Marilyn Koestler | February 15, 2010 at 1:12 pm
further apart
453. Susan | February 15, 2010 at 1:13 pm
I like them closer — you can see another pattern emerging between the spools and it keeps the eye moving.
454. Kayrita | February 15, 2010 at 1:14 pm
Closer
455. Cindi | February 15, 2010 at 1:14 pm
I definitely vote for farther apart! Thanks for the opportunity to put my 2 cents in! :-)
456. karin | February 15, 2010 at 1:16 pm
further apart!
457. Sharlene | February 15, 2010 at 1:16 pm
I like them further apart; then you see the secondary pattern & it looks like circles!
458. Dixie Horton | February 15, 2010 at 1:17 pm
I love them both, but if I had to make a choice I would choose farther apart, because when I viewed them individually, the dance floor looked too croweded on the ones more closely set.
459. Karla | February 15, 2010 at 1:17 pm
Why not give the quilter a choice? It seems about 50/50 so far in the comments anyway.
460. Virginia Hanley | February 15, 2010 at 1:18 pm
Farther apart pleases my artistic eye.
461. Carissa | February 15, 2010 at 1:19 pm
Close together!
462. Judith A O'Dannel | February 15, 2010 at 1:21 pm
farther apart……….each spool gets to show off
463. Hazel dunbar | February 15, 2010 at 1:21 pm
For whatever reason, if I have to choose, I like them farther apart.
464. Marsha | February 15, 2010 at 1:23 pm
Closer together.
I also like the color pattern on the closer ones the best.
It was most pleasing to my eye. :)
465. helen | February 15, 2010 at 1:24 pm
Closer, please. The far apart ones seem to be talking to me,…”Let me into the group”! If you really can’t decide, how about close in the center of the quilt, moving on out to farther apart, as though they too are trying to move on into the friendly group…
466. Susan Chase | February 15, 2010 at 1:24 pm
further apart from what I can see
467. mary | February 15, 2010 at 1:25 pm
farther apart
468. Ruth | February 15, 2010 at 1:28 pm
Closer together.
469. Mary Ann | February 15, 2010 at 1:28 pm
Closer, looke much better
470. meesh | February 15, 2010 at 1:30 pm
I vote for farther apart. But it could be the colors I prefer there.
471. Marge Fine | February 15, 2010 at 1:30 pm
Farther apart – I love the design!
Marge
472. Bonnie | February 15, 2010 at 1:30 pm
closer.
473. Sally | February 15, 2010 at 1:30 pm
I say ,Closer.
474. Ann | February 15, 2010 at 1:31 pm
Further apart
475. Patti | February 15, 2010 at 1:31 pm
Farther apart.
476. Anita | February 15, 2010 at 1:31 pm
Farther apart – easier on the eyes.
477. Donna | February 15, 2010 at 1:31 pm
I like the closer together. It makes the spools look larger and therefore more of a focus.
478. Barbara Welch | February 15, 2010 at 1:32 pm
I like the “closer together” just a little bit more. Ami, you rock!!!
479. Janie Grohs | February 15, 2010 at 1:32 pm
farther apart
480. Jeanne Goldthwait | February 15, 2010 at 1:33 pm
closer, but they both look good!
481. Sandra Mudie | February 15, 2010 at 1:33 pm
Closer
482. Judy Iliff | February 15, 2010 at 1:33 pm
Farther apart. I like the 2ndary pattern of circles that develops. Those circles are more in proportion to the spools.
483. Eileen Hagen | February 15, 2010 at 1:34 pm
Definitely closer together-the other seems lost in space, just floating. Close is strong, a united front, and, I think, the eyes flow over it easier.
484. Jenny | February 15, 2010 at 1:34 pm
Closer
485. quiltdivajulie | February 15, 2010 at 1:36 pm
Closer together (but then, I’m not one for too much light background showing).
Why not offer both options in the same pattern?
486. Sandy | February 15, 2010 at 1:38 pm
I actually like both, with a slight preference for the ones that are farther apart.
Would it make sense to include directions and the picture for both in the pattern? Then everyone could make the version that s/he likes best.
487. Lisa Throneberry | February 15, 2010 at 1:38 pm
FARTHER APART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
488. Becky91 | February 15, 2010 at 1:40 pm
Closer
489. Jean Marie Stafford | February 15, 2010 at 1:40 pm
Farther apart
490. Lee | February 15, 2010 at 1:40 pm
farther apart
491. marj | February 15, 2010 at 1:42 pm
Closer together
492. Bonnie | February 15, 2010 at 1:42 pm
I like farther because the individual spool colours pop more andit looks like they are dancing. The closer ones look as if they are stuck in formation and therefore can’t dance as much.
493. Marcia Middents | February 15, 2010 at 1:42 pm
farther apart
1. I think it’s too busy looking with them closer together
2. It’s easier for me to tell taht they’re spools farther apart
494. Margot | February 15, 2010 at 1:43 pm
Farther, the seam to dance more. Also had a less traditional feel to it. I would also use more different BG fabrics
495. Jan | February 15, 2010 at 1:44 pm
Farther apart. Cute block.
496. Sue Pritt | February 15, 2010 at 1:44 pm
Closer does it for me! :D
497. Daphne Stewart | February 15, 2010 at 1:45 pm
I’m a fan of breathing space: farther apart.
Do you really read all these notes? In the time it takes you to do that, the quilt top could have been put together …
Pretty design, by the way.
498. Sherryl | February 15, 2010 at 1:46 pm
Farther apart, close looks crowded.
499. Sandy K | February 15, 2010 at 1:47 pm
farther apart!
500. Denise | February 15, 2010 at 1:48 pm
closer – makes the spools look larger, plus I just like it better!
501. Cherie Moore | February 15, 2010 at 1:49 pm
I like farther apart :) It seems to pull the spools into focus better than the closer together setting.
502. Kathleen Chevalier | February 15, 2010 at 1:50 pm
Further apart.
503. Gel | February 15, 2010 at 1:51 pm
closer together
504. Pat | February 15, 2010 at 1:53 pm
Closer together.
505. Arlene | February 15, 2010 at 1:53 pm
I think they look great both ways but do prefer the “wider apart” look the best.
Have fun!
506. Betty Demopolis | February 15, 2010 at 1:54 pm
Farther apart
507. Sue | February 15, 2010 at 1:55 pm
The truth is, both are nice – I really think you can’t go wrong either way, and you’re just making yourself crazy!
508. Kari~ | February 15, 2010 at 1:56 pm
Definitely farther apart! That setting allows your eyes to move between the spools and creates movement. They look like they could dance, while the other spools are clearly wallflowers.
The spools in the farther apart setting are design items on their own, but also a part of the whole. I can’t wait to see the pattern!
509. Merrie Jo | February 15, 2010 at 1:56 pm
My vote is for closer together. It just looks better visually.
510. Kathie | February 15, 2010 at 1:57 pm
Further apart.
511. Lynn Baird | February 15, 2010 at 1:59 pm
Farther apart. It lets the secondary pattern show up a bit more: the circular illusion around the spools!
512. Joyce Dauer | February 15, 2010 at 1:59 pm
I like them farther apart better; in that setting the background “fades away” and the focus is more on the spools themselves.
513. Deb Graber | February 15, 2010 at 2:00 pm
Closer together! Love the pattern. Please give Madison a kiss for us, we miss his “under the desk” reports
514. Lisa | February 15, 2010 at 2:03 pm
Closer!
515. Suzanne Shumaker | February 15, 2010 at 2:07 pm
Farther apart looks more like they are dancing! ( Oh, how funny. I had not read the last comment #385. Looks like we are on the same wavelength!)
516. Carol Wicklund | February 15, 2010 at 2:07 pm
closer together with brighter colors floats my boat.
517. fran | February 15, 2010 at 2:08 pm
farther apart. The dark spools look crowded. Maybe lighter colors if closer together.
518. Connie | February 15, 2010 at 2:10 pm
Closer…
519. Carolyn Schomaker | February 15, 2010 at 2:10 pm
Farther apart unless these are really large blocks. Either way is good.
520. Mary Abbott | February 15, 2010 at 2:14 pm
Why don’t you pass on your indecision to those who will be making the qult and let them decide whether they want them closer together or further apart? I’m undecided, too. Actually I think it might make a difference depending on if this is to be a wall hanging or a full bed quilt. Wall hanging, I’d go for closer together. Bed quilt, I’d probably go for farther apart.
521. Barb | February 15, 2010 at 2:15 pm
Closer together or it looks like you did not want to make as many spools!
522. Gayle Schild | February 15, 2010 at 2:18 pm
I think they really show up farther apart, like they are dancing the night away!!!Will you have a book,f or those of us who can’t come to class??Hope so, :-)
523. Cathieb | February 15, 2010 at 2:18 pm
Closer together
524. Bonnie Hensley | February 15, 2010 at 2:19 pm
I vote for farther apart. They look more like they’re ‘dancing’ when they’re farther. Bright, fun colors would work great (kinda like you already have).
525. Elizabeth | February 15, 2010 at 2:19 pm
closer
526. Laura | February 15, 2010 at 2:21 pm
Closer together. I was all ready to vote for farther apart, but then realized that I was being influenced by the colors in the sample photos (the closer together photo has lots of darks together, and the farther apart photo is brighter).
527. Audrey Arno | February 15, 2010 at 2:21 pm
closer together.
It looks so much more intricate
528. judy | February 15, 2010 at 2:24 pm
I think they have more movement farther apart and like that better.
529. Olivia Bressler | February 15, 2010 at 2:24 pm
Closer together – more pleasing to the eye.
530. Lisa A | February 15, 2010 at 2:25 pm
farther apart
531. Mary Ann | February 15, 2010 at 2:26 pm
Definately closer together
532. Gail McClure | February 15, 2010 at 2:26 pm
Closer because it looks like there is an illumination in the middle.
533. Sheri Williamson | February 15, 2010 at 2:29 pm
I like the closer together spacing but prefer the colors of the further apart sample
534. Sharon Williams | February 15, 2010 at 2:32 pm
CLOSER – I squinted and like that better. Thank you for asking, Ami. Good luck
535. Ann Pugh | February 15, 2010 at 2:32 pm
Give your students the option! Offer both templates. Mak your large sample the way you prefer and a smaller sample the other way and let the student choose. Make everyone happy!
536. myrna sossner | February 15, 2010 at 2:33 pm
M of MandN says With a background in advertising, I learned that more white space makes the eyes focus on the subject better. So put me down for the further apart layout.
N of MandN says I like the closer layout. The eyes can take it all in better.
When It is finished, we’ll take which ever version is made!
What is Madison’s choice? Maggie says either one would be comfortable to sleep on.
537. Carolyn Jamiesons | February 15, 2010 at 2:34 pm
I like both, but closer better. Always love to have options, make them both available.
538. Kathlyn Luliak | February 15, 2010 at 2:34 pm
Farther apart.
539. Dothy | February 15, 2010 at 2:35 pm
farther apart
540. Pat | February 15, 2010 at 2:37 pm
If the quilt is a wall hanging, I like the closer together; if it is going to be a bed-size quilt, I would prefer the farther apart. It all depends on the size of the quilt…would be too overwhelming if closer together in a large quilt.
541. Susan Arkles | February 15, 2010 at 2:39 pm
closer together gets my vote.I like not having a lot of blank spaces between the spools, I don’t like to use a lot os quilting “fill in” between the dinamic elements.
542. Diane | February 15, 2010 at 2:42 pm
closer, forms more of a compostition
543. Kesten | February 15, 2010 at 2:44 pm
Farther apart – give the eye room to move from spool to spool. I also really like the brighter colors, but then I’m a color kind of gal.
544. Aimee Morgan | February 15, 2010 at 2:45 pm
Farther apart.
545. Linda in TX | February 15, 2010 at 2:45 pm
farther apart – then you really see the spools
546. Mary Jane | February 15, 2010 at 2:45 pm
I like them closer together
547. Sally | February 15, 2010 at 2:46 pm
OMG! what a wonderful problem. I like lots of color, so I’d go for bigger spools closer together. But, why not just make it an option, more space, bigger quilt, less space, smaller quilt.
548. Donna K from N TX | February 15, 2010 at 2:46 pm
I like them closer; they seem to be dancing in step that way, more movement.
549. Janet B | February 15, 2010 at 2:46 pm
I like both versions for different things. I like the one that is farther apart because you get to see the spools better and I can see using that in a wall quilt for my sewing room.
550. Lori Nelson | February 15, 2010 at 2:47 pm
Farther!
551. ALICE | February 15, 2010 at 2:48 pm
Closer togetheris better
552. Mary Jane | February 15, 2010 at 2:49 pm
Further apart!
553. Nansi Bainard | February 15, 2010 at 2:50 pm
I like it farther apart. Nansi
554. Wendy Fairchild | February 15, 2010 at 2:53 pm
I like it better closer together…I really like this pattern.
555. Lynda in Spokane | February 15, 2010 at 2:55 pm
Closer together. It makes the thread colors look richer.
556. Joan J | February 15, 2010 at 2:57 pm
CLOSER together!
557. Jo Mosanko | February 15, 2010 at 2:58 pm
Closer together.
558. Keitha Coffey | February 15, 2010 at 2:58 pm
I think farther apart – they look more like they’re “dancing” that way (like minuet, square dance, etc.)
559. Barb Smith | February 15, 2010 at 2:59 pm
Closer
560. Peggi Yacovissi | February 15, 2010 at 3:00 pm
Further apart
561. marjorie leonard | February 15, 2010 at 3:00 pm
I like them close
562. LeeAnne | February 15, 2010 at 3:01 pm
I like them both! Choice of pattern in fabric could create interesting effect, either way.
563. marjorie leonard | February 15, 2010 at 3:01 pm
I like the spools close together; more dramatic .
564. Marla C | February 15, 2010 at 3:04 pm
I like the closer together version. It’s more colorful and the spools seem more defined.
565. Karin | February 15, 2010 at 3:05 pm
Farther apart. Definitely.
566. Naomi Brooks | February 15, 2010 at 3:07 pm
Farther apart. Close makes the design all run together. I like it.
567. Marion | February 15, 2010 at 3:07 pm
Further apart.
568. Pat | February 15, 2010 at 3:09 pm
Closer together
569. Mamas quiltin | February 15, 2010 at 3:09 pm
I like them closer together but I think that you should just get started. Without them right next to each other we wouldn’t know the difference!
570. Helen Marshall | February 15, 2010 at 3:09 pm
Closer together this seems to make a secondary pattern with the background. Great idea well done Ami. I love it.
Cheers Helen
571. Suzi | February 15, 2010 at 3:09 pm
I like the close ones. They would make a great wall hanging for my sewing room…
572. Ann cummings | February 15, 2010 at 3:11 pm
further apart gets my vote
573. Linda | February 15, 2010 at 3:11 pm
I like them farther apart. That creates a secondary design around each of the spools. It is also easier to look at.
574. Sarah | February 15, 2010 at 3:13 pm
Farther apart – gives more room for quilting and each spool gets more individual attention.
575. Peggy Gilmore | February 15, 2010 at 3:14 pm
Farther apart is more restful.
576. Amanda | February 15, 2010 at 3:16 pm
farther apart for me :) and may I say – 534 comments! Wowza. Oh my oh my. That has to be a blogging record.
hmmm….maybe there’s a polling function in WP?
577. Judee | February 15, 2010 at 3:17 pm
I like farther apart. The color choices seem to
make it “shimmer”.
When quilted, you would probably want to densely
quilt the background so the spools pouf up and give
lots of depth contrast.
578. Marilyn | February 15, 2010 at 3:20 pm
I think you just made more work for yourself–counting replies and making two designs. I’m with those who like them both, depending upon where the quilt would be used.
579. Joan | February 15, 2010 at 3:20 pm
Further apart!
580. Id | February 15, 2010 at 3:20 pm
closer together
581. Candy | February 15, 2010 at 3:21 pm
I like them closer together but the farther apart would give people more room to do some inventive quilting
582. mary t | February 15, 2010 at 3:22 pm
Farther by far!!
583. Maaike | February 15, 2010 at 3:25 pm
Closer together
584. Janice | February 15, 2010 at 3:28 pm
Closer together!
585. Margaret Pollok | February 15, 2010 at 3:29 pm
depends on use. farther apart looks spring or summer-like. closer looks fall-winter. to me
586. Peggy Dinius | February 15, 2010 at 3:32 pm
Closer
587. Nancy Hamblin | February 15, 2010 at 3:32 pm
Father
588. Nancy Hamblin | February 15, 2010 at 3:33 pm
Oops that would be farther
589. Peggy Dinius | February 15, 2010 at 3:34 pm
closer together
590. Barb | February 15, 2010 at 3:34 pm
Definitely farther apart..looks brighter, lighter, and lets the eye rest a bit. (I like the colors in that one better, too.)
591. Paula Dalby | February 15, 2010 at 3:34 pm
Definitely Closer Together.
592. Judy Simmons | February 15, 2010 at 3:38 pm
Further apart. Either way, it’s a fun way to use stripe fabs.
593. Linda Fergie Ferguson | February 15, 2010 at 3:39 pm
Closer Together!
594. Shirley | February 15, 2010 at 3:39 pm
closer
595. Sheron Snyder | February 15, 2010 at 3:40 pm
I prefer the farther apart because there is enough action with the spools tipping this way and that. The presentation of the secondary pattern is also attractive. This will also mean fewer fabric decisions as I make the quilt, not a bad thing considering the trouble I have now. ;^)
Please give Madison a scratch behind his ears from Aunt Sheron.
596. Fran | February 15, 2010 at 3:41 pm
I like the closer together version–it seems more wow to me. The other one looks a little confused.
597. Chris | February 15, 2010 at 3:45 pm
I like them both. : ) How’s that for fence-sitting?
598. Flo | February 15, 2010 at 3:45 pm
Farther apart – more room to see how pretty!
599. Mary Lou | February 15, 2010 at 3:47 pm
Farther apart.
600. Bobbie | February 15, 2010 at 3:47 pm
I like the spacing further apart.
601. Kathlene Prescott | February 15, 2010 at 3:49 pm
I like them closer.
602. Goog | February 15, 2010 at 3:54 pm
Truth be told, they don’t look like they’re dancing either way. They look like they’re lined up like soldiers. Dancing should be freer.
603. Doris Kimbrough | February 15, 2010 at 3:55 pm
I like further apart.
604. Judy C in NC | February 15, 2010 at 3:55 pm
Count me as a member of the FARTHER APART crowd.
605. Jackie | February 15, 2010 at 3:55 pm
I like the further apart. It just seems to have more rythem.
606. Leslie | February 15, 2010 at 3:57 pm
Farther apart, please.
607. Sally Thornton | February 15, 2010 at 3:58 pm
I choose ‘closer together’. I just think it looks better.
608. Ilean | February 15, 2010 at 4:01 pm
Definitely the further apart. It just looks better!
609. Kathlene Prescott | February 15, 2010 at 4:02 pm
Allow me to jump in here again. Would it be feasable to include an option for both sizes? This will be great for the stripes I ‘ve been collecting for 20 years. I’m already planning pillows, sewing machine cover, a valance for my studio and……..
610. Jenny Jones | February 15, 2010 at 4:04 pm
Closer together
611. Sharon | February 15, 2010 at 4:05 pm
Closer together.
612. Pat Barton | February 15, 2010 at 4:07 pm
It’s closer for me.
613. Neda | February 15, 2010 at 4:08 pm
I like the spools closer together but both look good.
614. Therese Ruff | February 15, 2010 at 4:14 pm
Farther apart features the fabrics more. Closer together is better for scrappy or fabrics that go together like layer cakes of one fabric line.
Why not let your students choose?
615. Ellen Lee | February 15, 2010 at 4:17 pm
I vote to close the voting and either make two patterns or let Madison decide
616. Shaleen Edmundson | February 15, 2010 at 4:17 pm
Closer. It’s more appealing.
617. Doris Mulkey | February 15, 2010 at 4:23 pm
I remember making spools in the first quilting class I ever took.
They are fun to make, and I vote for the Farther Apart.
618. paula | February 15, 2010 at 4:23 pm
Closer – it becomes a single pattern and also individual items at once
619. Katherine | February 15, 2010 at 4:25 pm
Farther apart makes the spools have more of a “DANCING” feeling.
620. Tracey | February 15, 2010 at 4:26 pm
farther apart
621. Trish | February 15, 2010 at 4:28 pm
Closer Together – I don’t like all that space inbetween on the farther apart one.
622. Jude | February 15, 2010 at 4:28 pm
I like closer!
623. Cindy | February 15, 2010 at 4:30 pm
Farther.
624. Sheryl | February 15, 2010 at 4:30 pm
Definitely farther apart!
625. Sue | February 15, 2010 at 4:30 pm
Closer together works for me……..the farther apart one seems to lose the design.
626. Kathleen Davies | February 15, 2010 at 4:35 pm
farther apart if the spool colors are so scrappy; it allows the eye to appreciate each color, before moving on to the next. But then again, as I say when I’m teaching, if you absolutely, positively cannot decide, then it probably doesn’t matter!
627. Darla | February 15, 2010 at 4:35 pm
further apart
628. Gail | February 15, 2010 at 4:36 pm
Farther apart!!
629. marilyn | February 15, 2010 at 4:37 pm
Closer…makes more of a comprehensive pattern.
630. Annette | February 15, 2010 at 4:38 pm
I like them farther apart, but it might be that I like the colors in that one more.
631. Carolyn | February 15, 2010 at 4:49 pm
Closer together!
632. karen | February 15, 2010 at 4:52 pm
closer
633. Anne Brennan | February 15, 2010 at 4:54 pm
Farther apart! It’s not entirely a fair test, though, because the one that’s farther apart has more light colours distributed throughout it, making the spools seem to dance more.
634. RexfordMoose | February 15, 2010 at 4:54 pm
Closer
635. glenda | February 15, 2010 at 4:56 pm
farther apart looks best.
636. Janet | February 15, 2010 at 4:58 pm
Farther apart!
637. Brenda Groelz | February 15, 2010 at 4:58 pm
Closer if you want to see them as spools. The farther apart ones give too much emphasis on the spaces between.
638. sharon Truxton | February 15, 2010 at 5:04 pm
I prefer the closer ones
639. Penny | February 15, 2010 at 5:05 pm
farther apart – less busy and easier on my eyes.
640. sheryl | February 15, 2010 at 5:08 pm
I like farther apart.
641. Renate | February 15, 2010 at 5:09 pm
Definitely farther apart!!! But why not write the pattern both ways and give quilters the option???
642. Lorraine | February 15, 2010 at 5:12 pm
I think the farther apart one is much better as you can clearly see they are meant to be spools. I alos really like the bright colours in this example. More light in the centre of the quilt and the eye travels over it much more.
Can’t wait to see the pattern.
Lorraine :)
Sydney, Australia
643. Marion Mueller | February 15, 2010 at 5:12 pm
Farther apart
644. DIANA A. STEVENSON | February 15, 2010 at 5:17 pm
CLOSE TOGETHER
645. Helen from Hobart | February 15, 2010 at 5:18 pm
Closer together
646. Mary | February 15, 2010 at 5:21 pm
Farther apart. The close ones look too crowded to dance and they lose symmetry and individual effect.
A nice pattern, though, and one I’d like to try.
647. Gail | February 15, 2010 at 5:21 pm
farther apart, please.
648. Cassandra Plott | February 15, 2010 at 5:22 pm
closer
649. Alexis Gerritsen | February 15, 2010 at 5:23 pm
I much prefer closer together
650. Cindy | February 15, 2010 at 5:24 pm
I think which ever you choose, you (or anyone else) won’t remember the other. It really doesn’t matter. They’re both good. The thing that strikes me about the closer one is that the spools seem to be darker which adds more contrast. If the farther one had darker spools, it would really be sharper. That would make them look even more alike. Stop obsessing and just go with one. It’s not life or death. They’re both very good.
651. Pat | February 15, 2010 at 5:26 pm
I like thejm farther apart Ami.
652. Beverly | February 15, 2010 at 5:28 pm
Closer, but both are good, and I agree that it depends on the size of the quilt. Could you make BOTH versions for the pattern?
653. Leigh Knox | February 15, 2010 at 5:30 pm
Closer together
654. JoAnne | February 15, 2010 at 5:31 pm
Both are nice but I prefer the further apart.
655. Kevyn | February 15, 2010 at 5:34 pm
Further apart. I think the ones that are touching just kind of run together and lose the visual appeal of individual spools.
656. Juanita D. | February 15, 2010 at 5:35 pm
The one on the right was more pleasing to my eye, that is the farther apart one.
657. Nancy | February 15, 2010 at 5:38 pm
I agree with #32, Teri, I like further apart with the additional visual that it creates. What a great idea!
658. Nancy Nelson | February 15, 2010 at 5:44 pm
I think you already have enough votes so I will decline my wonderful opinion. But don’t forget to consult Madison. He always has a good comment!!
659. Anne Marie Bartz | February 15, 2010 at 5:44 pm
Definitely closer.
660. Barbara | February 15, 2010 at 5:45 pm
Farther about…it allows you to see each individual spool and then none of them get lost..IMHO
661. Rosemary | February 15, 2010 at 5:47 pm
Farther apart, but I think it’s the color choices that make it better as much as the spacing. The closer together just appears bland to me.
662. Liza Schultz | February 15, 2010 at 5:47 pm
I like further apart it makes a better secondary pattern around the spools.
663. Toni | February 15, 2010 at 5:49 pm
I like the ones farther apart, but I think it’s because of hte brighter colors on that one. The ones closer together don’t have as much contrast.
664. Cam Wilsie | February 15, 2010 at 5:54 pm
I paused. I looked. I considered which drew my eye in more. Winner: closer. More dynamic and intense. However, consider doing the pattern giving both options. Have a sense closer will be finer cutting and piecing, hence for the less experienced piecer, they’d feel more successful with the farther/larger pieces. Looking forward to the final product!
665. Jeni | February 15, 2010 at 5:56 pm
Farther apart – space for quilting designs.
666. Linda Sterle | February 15, 2010 at 5:57 pm
Closer together gets my vote! Love both, but closer is better.
667. Marianne | February 15, 2010 at 5:58 pm
Closer together
668. Grace | February 15, 2010 at 6:02 pm
Closer together looks the best to me.
669. Kathy in San Diego | February 15, 2010 at 6:04 pm
Closer together. It seems neater and more cohesive.
670. elizabeth travis | February 15, 2010 at 6:10 pm
Definitely farther apart. The spools look like they are having fun. The close looks like they are jumbled together and not as pleasinmg to the eye.
671. Deb | February 15, 2010 at 6:11 pm
Closer together!!
672. Sandy R | February 15, 2010 at 6:40 pm
Closer together.
673. Anita | February 15, 2010 at 6:17 pm
closer is better if a border is being added,otherwise I like further apart.
674. mary | February 15, 2010 at 6:19 pm
farther apart. it makes the spool pop which is a very good thing : )
675. Cindy Cooksey | February 15, 2010 at 6:21 pm
Farther apart – I liked the arrangement as well as the brighter color choices better.
676. Rhoda | February 15, 2010 at 6:26 pm
Further apart and another pattern shows up.
677. Lynne K. Moorhouse | February 15, 2010 at 6:28 pm
I like them further apart.
678. Stephanie | February 15, 2010 at 6:31 pm
Farther apart for the quilting and breathing room.
679. Sharon Mireles | February 15, 2010 at 6:32 pm
I like the spools farther apart.
680. Sylvia | February 15, 2010 at 6:34 pm
further apart :-)
681. Karen | February 15, 2010 at 6:37 pm
Further apart. I like the secondary circles that form. But then, I’ve been working on Storm at Sea and like that look.
682. Gill | February 15, 2010 at 6:39 pm
further apart
683. Betty | February 15, 2010 at 6:39 pm
Closer together…but the “thread” colors are more interesting in the further apart one.
684. Rene | February 15, 2010 at 6:39 pm
I like both but prefer the farther apart
685. Norma Storm | February 15, 2010 at 6:41 pm
Ami..
The closer together spools look more traditional, but I like the farther apart ones best. Gives you more room for some neat quilting!
Why not do both? Norma
686. Bev Adcock | February 15, 2010 at 6:44 pm
Farther apart!
687. Gail | February 15, 2010 at 6:48 pm
closer
688. Marciam McCaskill | February 15, 2010 at 6:49 pm
Further apart.
689. Rosalyn | February 15, 2010 at 6:49 pm
Closer together! The design seems more cohesive and the colors appear sharper on the neutral background. Light colored backgrounds absorb color; a dark background would make the colors sparkle..
690. Barbara Czeschin | February 15, 2010 at 6:50 pm
Farther apart. But both are pretty.
691. Karen | February 15, 2010 at 6:59 pm
Farther apart — closer together is too dark!
692. M. Carol Price | February 15, 2010 at 7:00 pm
Further apart is my favorite….especially for a larger quilt.
Those bright ones are so cool!!!!!
693. Sally Brown | February 15, 2010 at 7:00 pm
Closer together….because they’re friends.
694. HelenMarie | February 15, 2010 at 7:11 pm
I would very much like to have both choices included in the pattern I can see where a different sort of sashing would make all the difference! And I just LOVE choices!.
695. Colleen | February 15, 2010 at 7:12 pm
further apart
696. Jean | February 15, 2010 at 7:13 pm
I can see why you are having difficulty. I prefer the farther apart because I do like the secondary pattern. I think some of the dfference is because of the colors…bright and light or dark and neutral. I’m definitely a bright person….color wise at least.
697. Anne Passafiume | February 15, 2010 at 7:13 pm
Prefer the closer layout – it concentrates on the spools rather than the background. Giving an option of either in your pattern would solve the problem.
698. Diane | February 15, 2010 at 7:14 pm
Definitely farther apart. It looks “too busy” with them closer together.
699. Connie Douty | February 15, 2010 at 7:16 pm
Each are nice. Compromise and give instructions for both farther and closer. I like farther best.
700. Bev Hicks | February 15, 2010 at 7:20 pm
Closer!
701. Katie Hartsell | February 15, 2010 at 7:26 pm
I think I like them farther apart except when I am looking at the one where they are closer together! So I guess it doesn’t matter!
702. Jane Zlojutro | February 15, 2010 at 7:30 pm
closer together
703. Teresa Locknane | February 15, 2010 at 7:31 pm
Closer together, but I like the brighter colors used in the other one!
704. Carol | February 15, 2010 at 7:31 pm
At first glance I liked them both,
but after looking at them for awhile
I think I prefer the spools
closer together . . .
705. Kelli king | February 15, 2010 at 7:34 pm
I like them farther apart, and I really like the colors in the farther apart square.
706. Sandra Darlington | February 15, 2010 at 7:38 pm
I like them closer together
707. Kathy Kent | February 15, 2010 at 7:41 pm
Definitely closer.
708. Carmen Carlton | February 15, 2010 at 7:44 pm
Closer together if the whole quilt is to consist of just the 13 spools. If what we are looking at is going to be one block of many then I like the spools further apart.
709. Laurie Enos | February 15, 2010 at 7:46 pm
closer together….I like that better!
710. Hilda LAng | February 15, 2010 at 7:49 pm
farther apart looks better to my eye.
711. Julia Harkins | February 15, 2010 at 7:50 pm
Farther apart; and I like the colors in that one, too.
712. Chris m | February 15, 2010 at 7:53 pm
Farther apart
713. nancy minshew | February 15, 2010 at 7:55 pm
Farther apart
714. Diane | February 15, 2010 at 7:56 pm
closer together
715. Debby C | February 15, 2010 at 8:00 pm
Closer.
716. Ann Laffin | February 15, 2010 at 8:19 pm
Closer together! It’s more interesting – not so much empty space.
717. YoBarb | February 15, 2010 at 8:20 pm
I vote farther apart.
718. cb | February 15, 2010 at 8:21 pm
closer
719. Lonetta Ingram | February 15, 2010 at 8:29 pm
It looks so much better closer together
720. Em Jorgenson | February 15, 2010 at 8:29 pm
Farther apart.
721. BK | February 15, 2010 at 8:35 pm
Closer
722. BK | February 15, 2010 at 8:36 pm
I forgot to ask – when will the pattern be available for purchase? I LOOOOOVE spools.
723. Lynda | February 15, 2010 at 8:37 pm
Farther apart.
724. Sharon Knowles | February 15, 2010 at 8:38 pm
Closer
725. Kathy A Merris | February 15, 2010 at 8:39 pm
Closer together. The spools have more definition that way.
The way you want them is still the best way.
726. sandy | February 15, 2010 at 8:41 pm
further apart! Actually, you won’t go wrong either way…they are so nice either way.
727. Julie in NM | February 15, 2010 at 8:45 pm
I vote for closer
728. Dee Rakes | February 15, 2010 at 8:51 pm
spaced apart seems more balanced
729. Debs | February 15, 2010 at 8:54 pm
Closer together is my preferance.
730. Georgia | February 15, 2010 at 8:55 pm
Closer together—looks like they all are friendly and belong together
731. Carol Miller | February 15, 2010 at 9:04 pm
I like farther apart. It’s much easier to tell that they are spools of thread. Now, maybe that’s because the particular spools in the farther-apart sample are more contrasty, but it definitely appeals to me more.
732. Annabannanna | February 15, 2010 at 9:10 pm
Both! (helpful, aren’t I?!)
733. Carol | February 15, 2010 at 9:16 pm
Farther apart
734. Karen | February 15, 2010 at 9:17 pm
I vote for furthur apart.! Looks more pleasing to the eye, IMHO.
735. sharon in Nor. Cal. | February 15, 2010 at 9:17 pm
farther apart, so the secondary pattern shows, please.
736. Sunny | February 15, 2010 at 9:20 pm
I personally prefer the closer look. Don’t quite know why but I do.
737. Jacie | February 15, 2010 at 9:20 pm
Closer together
738. Jean | February 15, 2010 at 9:23 pm
Closer together
739. Minta Fung | February 15, 2010 at 9:24 pm
farther apart, too close and you loose the image (it seems to allrun together)
740. Terry Rademacher | February 15, 2010 at 9:30 pm
I’m with the closer together group.. I had to keep looking,but the closer set gets my vote .
741. Joe Ellen | February 15, 2010 at 9:31 pm
Closer
742. Laura | February 15, 2010 at 9:36 pm
Closer together reads as a sort of woven block pattern. Farther apart reads more like individual spools. My first response was to like the closer together…it’s just a tighter design. But if you want it to say “These are spools!”, well, of course quilts don’t talk, :-) but the further apart would get the idea across better, and go better with your name for it.
743. Woodie | February 15, 2010 at 9:36 pm
I like them farther apart…it lets you appreciate each spool’s color.
744. M. Jane Epstein | February 15, 2010 at 9:40 pm
Further apart-easier to see the spools. Not mushy looking
745. Melodye | February 15, 2010 at 9:44 pm
I placed a mirror next to both blocks. I like the Further Apart block better, especially if this block is meant to be a border, with the blocks together and no sashing. The spools are evenly distributed across the background and makes me feel right with the world. If you are using a sashing, then I would probably like the Closer Together block better.
746. Gladys Dillemuth | February 15, 2010 at 9:50 pm
I voted this morning for further apart, but when I checked tonight my comment didn’t appear. Further apart definitely from here.
747. Lisa N | February 15, 2010 at 9:54 pm
Farther apart so quilting can be like threads coming off the spool!
748. Louise | February 15, 2010 at 10:03 pm
farther apart.
Louise Bischoff
749. Carol Sc | February 15, 2010 at 10:04 pm
Well, this looks interesting — are you doing an actual count? …cause it looks like the expected is happening — some like it closer, some like it further apart. I prefer the further apart — they look more like spools.
750. Elaine | February 15, 2010 at 10:07 pm
I prefer farther apart sample
751. Carol | February 15, 2010 at 10:08 pm
Closer
752. Alice Lynch | February 15, 2010 at 10:13 pm
Closer together works better to me!
753. Jackie Fellows | February 15, 2010 at 10:16 pm
Closer together…it really works for me that way.
754. Lisa | February 15, 2010 at 10:16 pm
Farther apart please
755. shari kongable | February 15, 2010 at 10:23 pm
Further apart. I like having some space for pretty quilting and for the eye to rest.
756. Joann Scheetz | February 15, 2010 at 10:29 pm
Farther apart. Then they have a snowball effect that you don’t see when they’re closer.
757. Judy J | February 15, 2010 at 10:45 pm
farther apart
758. Linda | February 15, 2010 at 10:49 pm
closer together!!
759. Susan Perry | February 15, 2010 at 10:53 pm
Farther apart.
760. Cindy | February 15, 2010 at 11:01 pm
They are both beautiful, but I prefer farther apart.
761. Judy5 | February 15, 2010 at 11:04 pm
I like them both but think the closer gets my top vote!
762. Bonnie | February 15, 2010 at 11:13 pm
Closer together looks like they were placed there; more color dynamics.
Farther apart looks like they dropped out of the box(ask me how I know)
I like them both; sorry but I do; so whatever the majority likes. I am more familiar with farther apart.
763. Jeanann | February 15, 2010 at 11:15 pm
Farther Apart
764. paula m | February 15, 2010 at 11:15 pm
farther apart is more pleasing to my eye. either way should work tho. buy the pattern and if you like them closer or farther apart that the pattern calls for, adjust!
765. Nancy | February 15, 2010 at 11:20 pm
I like them closer together.
766. Jean Forrester | February 15, 2010 at 11:22 pm
Yes, I still like them closer together.
767. MichelleJ | February 15, 2010 at 11:24 pm
Farther apart – can’t really say why, it is just what appeals to me more….
768. Leslie | February 15, 2010 at 11:50 pm
Farther apart is my preference (how can you dance when you’re crowded?), but they both look fine.
769. adrienne | February 15, 2010 at 11:51 pm
closer! but really, get on with it! make 23 of each … tee hee hee!
770. Susan | February 15, 2010 at 11:52 pm
Farther apart
771. mary t. martin | February 15, 2010 at 11:56 pm
farther apart. More definition.
772. Jan Roys | February 16, 2010 at 12:11 am
Closer, please. Further gives the illusion of the spools floating off.
773. Barbara | February 16, 2010 at 12:13 am
farther apart.
774. Marcia | February 16, 2010 at 12:16 am
closer looks better
775. Judy | February 16, 2010 at 12:17 am
closer together..
776. Pam | February 16, 2010 at 12:18 am
Farther apart.
777. LindaH | February 16, 2010 at 12:29 am
Farther apart – when they’re closer it looks a bit like Cathedral Windows in your picture. Farther apart they have room to dance!
778. Amy | February 16, 2010 at 12:31 am
Farther apart…
779. Doreen | February 16, 2010 at 12:37 am
I like both. You confused the issue for me by using a different colour scheme for the spools in each quilt.
780. Sondra | February 16, 2010 at 12:43 am
I think it is a matter of personal choice; depending on fabric design and color choices..
781. Judy McNeel | February 16, 2010 at 1:04 am
Farther apart gets my vote!
782. Laney Miller | February 16, 2010 at 1:17 am
Farther apart! Gives them moer ooompf!
783. Barbara | February 16, 2010 at 1:20 am
Closer together. I like both of them, and although I prefer the one closer together, the further apart one has a neat illusion of floating through the air.
784. BarbC | February 16, 2010 at 1:25 am
I like farther apart. I can see some wild stripe fabrics for the thread on the spools. Can’t wait for the pattern.
785. Starla | February 16, 2010 at 1:32 am
Farther apart–it just looks “dancier” to me.
786. Judith H. Burk | February 16, 2010 at 1:35 am
I like them further apart. Could you not put instructions for both versions in the pattern and let the maker choose?
787. Rae Linda | February 16, 2010 at 1:36 am
Holy Cow How many opinions do you need?? I prefer the farher apart one because it gives an opportunity to see the spools for what they are and also because a quilt named “Dancing Spools” ought to have room for them to dance! Other wise they are more “Jammin’ Spools” I too love the colors!
788. Laurel | February 16, 2010 at 1:43 am
I like the farther apart for the reason that has already been mentioned, “more quilting space”. The further apart gives more options.
789. Sharon & Fester | February 16, 2010 at 1:47 am
I like them closer together.
790. Sandra | February 16, 2010 at 1:51 am
I know this is a trick question….. I like the colors better in the more open one and the sense of space. The closer spools seem darker to me. The closer spools feel more dynamic. The farther apart ones more tranquil…… sorry…..
791. Becky | February 16, 2010 at 1:52 am
Further apart. The colors display better then.
792. vicki craig | February 16, 2010 at 1:53 am
I like the one on the right and my husband likes the one on the
left. Not much help are we. I’ll email some friends for help.
793. LynneK | February 16, 2010 at 2:26 am
Closer – just looks better, more dynamic!
794. Lynda Lois | February 16, 2010 at 2:35 am
I like closer together. It catches my eye better.
795. Connie | February 16, 2010 at 2:40 am
Farther apart…..seems to be more movement when there is more space between the spools….great pattern by the way!
796. SuzyQ | February 16, 2010 at 2:48 am
I prefer the spools closer together, but don’t know why………
Perhaps the different colors?
797. Nancy | February 16, 2010 at 3:35 am
My eye tells me closer together, however it would depend on the quilting for the ultimate decision. If you had a design that you wanted to show off or wanted to quilt swirls like thread coming off of the spools you would want to have room to stitch it. Because of that I’d have to go with further apart.
798. SuzyQ | February 16, 2010 at 3:58 am
Is this a psychological test? What can you tell about a person from the preference?
Either way would be a great way to reduce the scrap pile.
799. Leslie Oscarson | February 16, 2010 at 4:07 am
The one that is closer together really caught my eye first. I definately like it better…
800. Trish | February 16, 2010 at 4:13 am
Definitely farther apart! The farther apart picture gives you a feeling of peace and has a nice, velvety texture. The closer together picture brings a little tightness to the chest and is scratchy like a really bad GI wool blanket. What can I say–I’m a tactile thinker. You DID ask.
801. Meg | February 16, 2010 at 4:22 am
closer!
802. Sue | February 16, 2010 at 4:25 am
Farther…closer looks too squashed up.
803. Magda | February 16, 2010 at 5:17 am
Closer together
804. Charlotte | February 16, 2010 at 5:37 am
Closer together–both look nice, but the other way looks more like “floating” spools! (or maybe they are dancing solo! LOL)
805. Carol White | February 16, 2010 at 7:21 am
At first I thought farther apart then I blocked each one from view and decided closer is preference. Not an easy choice.
806. Holly | February 16, 2010 at 7:31 am
My eyes was drawn to the one that was closer together — just more pleasing to my eye.
807. Judy L | February 16, 2010 at 7:35 am
Further apart – which emphasizes the blocks better.
808. Stephanie Shapiro | February 16, 2010 at 7:35 am
Farther apart, for the secondary 6-sided pattern.
809. Stephanie Shapiro | February 16, 2010 at 7:36 am
Father apart, which shows the 6-seded secondary pattern better.
810. Hdqltr - Nancy | February 16, 2010 at 7:59 am
Closer together! Cute pattern; I’d make it.
811. Becky | February 16, 2010 at 8:18 am
my vote is farther apart.
812. Pat Slovacek | February 16, 2010 at 8:27 am
Definitely farther apart. That puts the focus on the spools, which is the point of all that lovely fabric anyway. And closer together is too busy and hard to look at.
813. jan Canyon | February 16, 2010 at 8:30 am
Farther apart. It enhances their “spooliness”.
814. Pat | February 16, 2010 at 8:32 am
Both are very nice, but I like them farther apart, since the spools have a more floating effect.
Pat
815. Carilyn Scitt | February 16, 2010 at 9:08 am
Farther apart . It has more movement.
816. Kelly Young | February 16, 2010 at 9:36 am
I like them further apart, but that may be because I also like those fabrics better.
817. Martha | February 16, 2010 at 9:53 am
I like the closer together one best. VERY cute!
818. JoAn Godfrey | February 16, 2010 at 10:01 am
i like them both. farther apart—you see the fabric in the spools. could really show off some favorite scraps.
closer together shows movement.
819. Roselyn Chaffin | February 16, 2010 at 10:04 am
I like the “closer” version.
820. Jyl Peterson | February 16, 2010 at 10:09 am
I like both of them
821. Pamela Hoffman | February 16, 2010 at 10:18 am
Further apart. It’s different.
822. molly | February 16, 2010 at 10:19 am
iAmi, i think you know the answer, they need to be close together. thanks for letting us help you. molly
823. Grandma K in Illinois | February 16, 2010 at 10:27 am
Can’t really tell much difference, but being conservative I’ll cast my vote for CLOSER!
824. Shelli | February 16, 2010 at 10:36 am
I like it further apart too…
825. Barbara | February 16, 2010 at 10:36 am
Further apart – the spools stand out better as individuals. Just my two cents!
826. Terri Ryan | February 16, 2010 at 10:38 am
I like it farther apart.
827. Linell | February 16, 2010 at 10:40 am
Further apart!!!
828. Lynn | February 16, 2010 at 10:44 am
I like both but, I think that farther apart is best.
829. Mary Ellen Martin | February 16, 2010 at 10:58 am
Farther apart.
I can concentrate on each individual pretty colored spool more easily that way.
830. Gail D | February 16, 2010 at 11:05 am
closer
831. Mary Kirkpatrick | February 16, 2010 at 11:10 am
Closer together
832. Robbie | February 16, 2010 at 11:12 am
close
833. Scotty | February 16, 2010 at 11:28 am
I think both are rather nice–might depend on the occasion or the person for whom I was making this pattern–I’d probably make the one with the spools farther apart if it were for me.
834. Terri Costa | February 16, 2010 at 11:30 am
Closer together!
835. Robin Parton | February 16, 2010 at 11:31 am
I like the farther apart. Closer loses it’s definition.
836. Lynne | February 16, 2010 at 11:38 am
farther apart – I like the circle illusion that appears
837. Gerry Prodger | February 16, 2010 at 11:42 am
Farther apart – just because!
838. Norma | February 16, 2010 at 12:27 pm
Closer together.
839. Susan Jane | February 16, 2010 at 12:32 pm
Farther apart. I can see the secondary pattern better. Maybe I like that one because I like the colors better?
840. Sherri | February 16, 2010 at 12:35 pm
closer together, when on point it gives the spools space and makes them more important
841. Diane | February 16, 2010 at 12:39 pm
I like closer together.
842. Kate | February 16, 2010 at 12:47 pm
Closer, especially on a smaller project.
843. Melissa | February 16, 2010 at 1:02 pm
Closer together–it gives a more pleasing perception when looked at from afar, rather than a scattering of spools.
Fun pattern!
844. Angie | February 16, 2010 at 1:17 pm
Farther apart – for quilting space – I love to see hand quilting in open spaces!
845. Karen King | February 16, 2010 at 1:28 pm
I like them farther apart – shows them off a little better.
846. donnamae | February 16, 2010 at 1:41 pm
I vote for Closer together ~
847. Sally Ross | February 16, 2010 at 1:49 pm
Further apart. You can better see all the light dancing behind the spools.
848. Wanda | February 16, 2010 at 2:00 pm
I like both. So maybe a quilt with each and then one (or more) with both mixed together??
849. Tennye | February 16, 2010 at 2:07 pm
Farther apart.
850. Connie | February 16, 2010 at 2:11 pm
I like them farther apart
851. janet | February 16, 2010 at 2:12 pm
Dancing cheek to cheek, shoulder to shoulder, or dancing with room to cut loose? I vote for room to cut loose – farther apart. Or as mentioned by others, include both options in the pattern and let others go through the agony of making a decision….
852. debby | February 16, 2010 at 2:12 pm
closer
853. Gloria | February 16, 2010 at 2:24 pm
Closer together – otherwise the eye tends to focus on the blank area in the other one.
854. lynne | February 16, 2010 at 2:28 pm
closer
855. Cindy in Wisconsin | February 16, 2010 at 2:52 pm
Farther apart! Then you can tell they are spools rather than just a pattern. Thanks for asking!
856. Diane | February 16, 2010 at 3:03 pm
Farther apart is more satisifying visually. Closer together feels a little squeezed.
857. marianne gravely | February 16, 2010 at 3:10 pm
closer together
858. Doreen | February 16, 2010 at 3:20 pm
I like the farther apart.
859. Leslie | February 16, 2010 at 3:31 pm
Closer together. Just like it more :)
860. Judy Baker | February 16, 2010 at 3:31 pm
Closer together–spools seem to “pop” that way.
861. Harlene | February 16, 2010 at 3:35 pm
Farther apart for fussy cutting.
862. Martha | February 16, 2010 at 3:42 pm
I like them farther apart. The secondary pattern shows better.
863. Orrie | February 16, 2010 at 3:53 pm
I like the closer together pattern
864. cathy | February 16, 2010 at 4:10 pm
i like it further apart. Unless it is a small quilt than closer would look better.
865. Debra Lea | February 16, 2010 at 4:27 pm
Closer together.
866. Debra | February 16, 2010 at 4:44 pm
I like farther apart.
867. Kate | February 16, 2010 at 4:47 pm
Further Apart, but that may be because I like the fabrics better!
868. hockeyirene | February 16, 2010 at 5:01 pm
I like the spools closer together, and I haven’t read anyone else’s comments (yet!).
The background becomes too much (for me) of a design element when the spools are farther apart. It also could be because of the lighter colours of the “thread” in the farther-apart setting.
In any case, basically – suit yourself, or teach both ways so others can choose the setting they like best.
Good Luck!
Irene
869. Fran Mills | February 16, 2010 at 5:14 pm
farther apart gets the vote here but both look interesting
870. Fran Mills | February 16, 2010 at 5:15 pm
Farther apart looks very nice but either are good.
871. Fran Mills | February 16, 2010 at 5:16 pm
Farther apart
872. Barbara | February 16, 2010 at 5:20 pm
closer, definitely
873. Joey | February 16, 2010 at 5:23 pm
Farther apart: More balance of active versus passive space that way.
874. elaine | February 16, 2010 at 5:33 pm
I vote for the closer together.
Far apart they look like quilt blocks.
875. Alice Miller | February 16, 2010 at 5:36 pm
Closer, makes for more color interaction.
876. Judy | February 16, 2010 at 5:47 pm
Further apart — but would totally be fine either way.
877. Beckie | February 16, 2010 at 6:30 pm
If not given a comparison, either I would like. But comparing, I vote the one on the right.
878. Karen | February 16, 2010 at 6:30 pm
Further apart! I think it shows off the lovely prints of the “threads” on the spools much better.
879. jlj | February 16, 2010 at 6:41 pm
farther apart
880. cindy | February 16, 2010 at 6:53 pm
I seem to be in the minority, but i like it further apart. It looks more like spools to me instead of an interesting block
881. Nancy | February 16, 2010 at 6:56 pm
Definitely closer. Don’t know why, just like it better.
882. Cathy | February 16, 2010 at 8:09 pm
I like closer
883. Mary | February 16, 2010 at 8:38 pm
Closer together! Farther apart hurts my eyes.
884. Sharon | February 16, 2010 at 8:55 pm
further apart!
885. gail | February 16, 2010 at 9:11 pm
closer together
886. Teddi | February 16, 2010 at 10:19 pm
I like them farther apart, I think it makes the block and the individual spools stand out more.
887. Nancy | February 16, 2010 at 10:56 pm
Further apart.
888. carol c | February 16, 2010 at 11:09 pm
prefer farther apart
889. Ruth | February 16, 2010 at 11:25 pm
I like farther apart better
890. Louise | February 16, 2010 at 11:25 pm
farther apart, they look like they’re looking for fabric. more ideas to play with.
891. Marilyn | February 17, 2010 at 12:09 am
I like them closer together!! Have fun!
892. Julia Wood | February 17, 2010 at 12:13 am
Closer together.
893. Nanette Thornton | February 17, 2010 at 1:38 am
Closer, the one farther apart loses the effect of the spools, may just be because the background is scrappy.
894. Marilyn Janiga | February 17, 2010 at 4:59 am
Closer Together looks like a single picture. Farther apart seem like the spools should be skewed about and less formally placed. My vote is for closer together.
895. Sally | February 17, 2010 at 7:34 am
Initially I liked closer together, but I think I like the further apart best because it would leave more space in the background for some cool quilting to show up. Just looking at the big picture, lol.
896. Georgia Foran | February 17, 2010 at 9:23 am
I really like both ways, maybe closer by a little bit. Would be happy to make either one. georgia
897. Jacki | February 17, 2010 at 9:38 am
Closer together.
898. Debbie | February 17, 2010 at 10:23 am
I like them closer also, but I happen to prefer the brighter colors in the quilt on the right and i think the colors play a large part in how both quilts look.
899. Lu Ann Leonard | February 17, 2010 at 10:42 am
Closer
900. Lin | February 17, 2010 at 11:25 am
Closer together. It looks more colorful that way.
901. Lynn F | February 17, 2010 at 1:53 pm
I like further apart because the spools look like the old fashioned wooden spools, with really modern thread on them.
902. Robyn Williams | February 17, 2010 at 2:36 pm
closer together is the one I like best.
903. Caren | February 17, 2010 at 2:41 pm
closer together, definitely
904. Betty | February 17, 2010 at 4:27 pm
Farther apart!
905. Sues | February 17, 2010 at 5:17 pm
further apart…..makes me less dizzy. :)
906. Sheryl | February 17, 2010 at 5:53 pm
I prefer them further apart.
907. sue | February 17, 2010 at 6:57 pm
Either is perfect. Include directions for both, then the user can decide which size quilt is best for her/him..Closer is smaller size
908. Pat | February 17, 2010 at 7:02 pm
Closer….the farther apart looks like it’s missing something. If you choose the farther apart version for the pattern then if I made it I’d add buttons or something in between so the spools don’t look so lonely.
909. Jan | February 17, 2010 at 8:05 pm
I like them farther apart.
910. Jere | February 17, 2010 at 8:49 pm
I prefer the futher apart. I see more of a secondary circle pattern.
911. Kathy Noack | February 17, 2010 at 8:52 pm
Farther apart. It makes each block to stand up on their own and be counted.
912. Cathleen McSorley | February 17, 2010 at 10:24 pm
Close, close, close
913. Karen Scribner | February 17, 2010 at 10:46 pm
closer together
914. Libbie | February 17, 2010 at 10:52 pm
WAY too many comments to be able to read them all in the short time allotted! Love the lengthy explanations best, though.
I lean toward the farther apart ones. More “negative space” for the eye to rest, less cluttered. Yes, the closer-together ones seem to look more dynamic, but the farther apart ones are more obviously spools and less cluttered-looking. Plus, like some of the other writers, I like the extra area for quilting designs.
915. Nita Marsyla | February 17, 2010 at 10:53 pm
I like them farther apart.
916. Margaret D in TR | February 17, 2010 at 11:10 pm
I like it like the one on the right; further apart.
917. Katie | February 17, 2010 at 11:12 pm
Closer together.
918. Linda | February 17, 2010 at 11:13 pm
I like them closer. They’re all thrown into the sewing kit together, aren’t they?
919. Emalee | February 18, 2010 at 12:08 am
Farther apart.
920. Helene | February 18, 2010 at 6:22 am
Further apart for me.
I like how the lovely background fabrics get noticed more that way.
921. Barbara | February 18, 2010 at 10:35 am
I really like them further apart. To me they really seem to dance around the block.
922. Grammy | February 18, 2010 at 2:12 pm
further apart. Breathing space..
923. calabrisella | February 18, 2010 at 4:55 pm
http:www.aaqi.org
924. ALISON | February 18, 2010 at 7:45 pm
CLOSER!!
925. sue flasche | February 18, 2010 at 7:52 pm
I like both but if I had to pick on penalty of death, I would pick closer together.
926. Dog Gets New Job, Economic Recovery Sure To Follow « Through The Eyes Of A Quilter | February 19, 2010 at 1:37 am
[...] 19, 2010 Hello! Madison T. Dog here, blogging because Mom is hip deep in striped fabric from the previous blog. Thank you for your help, by the way, she was driving me [...]
927. Jane | February 19, 2010 at 2:19 am
Closer Together, the farther apart ones look like they are flying or floating away.
928. L M Owen | February 19, 2010 at 10:54 am
farther apart but then I like a gentler world and also lots of white space to quilt in.
929. Beth Culp | February 19, 2010 at 2:24 pm
Farther apart looks more modern & up to date!
930. Jean | February 19, 2010 at 3:55 pm
closer
931. Martha Clapp | February 19, 2010 at 4:54 pm
Further apart. It emphazises the individual spools.
932. Nancy | February 20, 2010 at 12:08 pm
further spart
933. Susan Lyle | February 20, 2010 at 1:08 pm
I like them farther apart but both ways look good. Don’t stress over it.
934. Diane | February 20, 2010 at 4:36 pm
Farther apart!
935. Joyce Harris | February 21, 2010 at 1:53 am
Farther apart….
936. Peggy | February 21, 2010 at 5:19 pm
I like farther apart. Looks cleaner. I don’t like crowded, overly busy quilts.
937. ellen | February 21, 2010 at 5:35 pm
farther apart. take less work to make more quilt. busy is not always good, need a place for your eye to rest. also, the color needs to tell a story, not just random. cools into hots, greens into pinks, darks into lights, etc.
938. ellen | February 21, 2010 at 5:47 pm
i think the problem is too much scrappiness. either the background or the foreground, but not both, too hard to look at. if there are Y seams, count me out!
939. barb | February 21, 2010 at 9:02 pm
CLOSER! They look like they’re having fun at a party, doing the twist – a big whoop-dee-doo!! The far-apart ones look like they’re at a formal party, doing the foxtrot – boring!
940. barb | February 21, 2010 at 9:03 pm
One more thing … LOVE the fabrics for the “thread” !!!
941. Merilee | February 21, 2010 at 10:26 pm
I like ‘further apart’…especially with the fabrics you’re using. They look like floating spools of beautiful thread.
The closer set ones become an object in itself. Guess it’s up to you…have fun.
Will be waiting to find out the results of your poll…I sure wasn’t going to count…lol
942. carole thorpe | February 22, 2010 at 3:55 pm
closer together
943. JoanS | February 22, 2010 at 11:08 pm
Closer
944. Jane B. | February 23, 2010 at 12:13 pm
apart
945. Cathy | February 23, 2010 at 3:41 pm
Farther apart, which seems to make the spools smaller.
The closer they are, the spools appear bigger and crammed together. In addition, I like the fabrics in the spools on the right (farther apart) much more. More like thread on spools.
Looking forward to the finished project!
P.S. Great lecture last night at Quilter’s Connection in Watertown, MA, so much laughter! It was greatly enjoyed :) by all. My sleeve, not the one on the back your quilt, was so wet from the tears of laughter.
946. Betty | February 23, 2010 at 5:42 pm
I agree farther apart is better, but I think you said you had already made your decison, which is in between. Loved your workshop and lecture for Quilters’ Connection – to smile is human, to laugh is divine!
947. Maria Slayman | February 24, 2010 at 8:00 am
Farther apart, each becomes special that way!
948. Janet | February 25, 2010 at 3:11 pm
I can see why you are “tormented.” I like closer together, but if you wanted more quilting opportunity you would need further apart. I love them both but closer would be my preference.
949. Cheryl | March 1, 2010 at 7:57 am
Closer looks very rich.
950. Laura | March 1, 2010 at 8:16 am
Farther apart. It gives an airier appearance to the design, not so scrunched together looking.
951. Janell | March 1, 2010 at 8:39 am
Farther apart. Too close together makes you a bit woozy if there are many blocks.
952. Sharon T | March 1, 2010 at 8:46 am
Farther apart
953. Mary Ellen Tardiff | March 1, 2010 at 9:04 am
I’ll join in with the people who like the spools further apart. Hum…..maybe you should make two !!
954. carol | March 1, 2010 at 9:06 am
If it’s a small wall hanging probably closer together. If it’s a larger quilt then farther apart. The farther you move them out it gives a spinning effect because the secondary pattern of circles show up more.
955. Jody CT | March 1, 2010 at 9:14 am
Closer together is a single design. Further apart is block by block. I like closer together and would like it even more if there were lots and lots of spools — with perhaps an occasional empty space.
956. Marie | March 1, 2010 at 9:22 am
Farther apart. Just looks neater, free-er.
957. Chris | March 1, 2010 at 9:29 am
Furthur apart. Not so cluttered and more room for expressive quilting.
958. Joyce Harry | March 1, 2010 at 9:38 am
Hi Ami,
This is Joyce Harry from Farwell, MI.
I like the spools that are closer together, and they look cozy.
The spools that are farther apart look like they don’t like each other.
Also, guess what? My birthday is on April 14th!!!
Take care, Spring is almost here, Joyce in MI.
959. Judy | March 1, 2010 at 9:42 am
Further apart.
Uses more fabric.Quilers get to buy, shop owners sell more fabric.
Win Win for all
960. Lucy Gee | March 1, 2010 at 9:44 am
Further apart allos you to see the spools better. Coser design looks cluttered. Lucy
961. Lucy Gee | March 1, 2010 at 9:46 am
Further apart allows you to see the spools better.
Closer design looks cluttered.
962. Judy Bankson | March 1, 2010 at 10:04 am
My eye prefers closer together.
963. Laura | March 1, 2010 at 10:08 am
Definitely farther apart!!!!!!
964. Karen Barrie | March 1, 2010 at 10:21 am
I like them further apart…but what about doing rows…up and down and off set each row ????? and put a needle or thimble in the other blocks ???? or sign each other block….
965. Christine | March 1, 2010 at 11:06 am
Farther apart
966. Edna Deppen | March 1, 2010 at 11:10 am
I like them further apart. Either way be sure the background is light. some look like the spools are stuck together. Too dark then I see them sideways as the old wooden spools. Check the the lower row of 3 in the close quilt.
My 3 colonial fabric – three sisters quilts that I started in your class are all ready for final stage of quilting.
967. Charlie Petersen | March 1, 2010 at 11:14 am
Closer together – seems like you’re just trying to make the block bigger, if you use more space. Just my opinion, of course. You can give it some breathing room on the outside.
968. Kim | March 1, 2010 at 11:18 am
I like farther apart the best, but close together looks nice also…whichever you decide on will be great!
969. Charlotte Halloran | March 1, 2010 at 11:19 am
Closer together
970. Barb Gabriel | March 1, 2010 at 11:39 am
Closer Together
971. Kristi | March 1, 2010 at 11:54 am
Farther apart gives the pattern much more dimension, they appear to be floating. As if as Madison ran through the sewing room and tipped over a box of threads. It also depends on the block size. If they are small, I think the design will get lost from more than 6 feet away. It’s very pretty.
972. Debbie | March 1, 2010 at 12:14 pm
My vote is for closer together. From a distance it will make a pleasing pattern, and then when you look at it up close you will get another surprise when you find out they are spools. The farther away one makes it look like the spools are just floating in space.
973. abecky | March 1, 2010 at 12:18 pm
Farther apart, I can enjoy the fabrics used in the spools better.
974. Anne Hall | March 1, 2010 at 12:19 pm
Closer just looks right to me!
975. Barbara | March 1, 2010 at 12:31 pm
Closer – looks like a stronger design. Furthe looks a little weak and the spools look heavy.
976. Terry Dries | March 1, 2010 at 12:40 pm
Further apart, but with bright & varigated thread colors.
977. PeggyB | March 1, 2010 at 12:49 pm
Closer together–this would be a great pattern for a charm quilt!!
978. joellen | March 1, 2010 at 12:55 pm
further apart– and I love the vivid colors
979. Judie | March 1, 2010 at 1:04 pm
Closer together
980. Eleanor Levie | March 1, 2010 at 1:11 pm
Farther apart. Cuz i just know you’re going to add a fabulous border or set of borders to expand the piece to at least double its current size. And you’ll want the focal area to pop, to advance, the borders to recede–so, smaller scale designs/patches/pieces there.
981. Dawn | March 1, 2010 at 1:28 pm
Farther apart. It allows you to see the detail in the thread on the spools.
982. myrna sossner | March 1, 2010 at 1:29 pm
pinch and a punch for the first of the month and run, rabbit, run!
948 responses and still counting ?
983. Johanne Hagar | March 1, 2010 at 1:41 pm
Farther apart
984. Sandra Evans | March 1, 2010 at 2:18 pm
Closer togather. Farther apart makes me dizzy and I am wearing my glasses and just had my eyes checked a few weeks ago. It all comes down to what YOU really like. You are making it. Sandy
985. Sandra Evans | March 1, 2010 at 2:23 pm
Closer together
986. Nancy G. | March 1, 2010 at 3:04 pm
Farther apart
987. Evelyn | March 1, 2010 at 3:12 pm
When you first look at them, the farther apart ones catch my eye, more than the closer ones.
988. Sue | March 1, 2010 at 4:25 pm
Farther apart is better. The closer one looks too crowded.
989. Katherine | March 1, 2010 at 4:40 pm
Farther Apart!
990. Pat | March 1, 2010 at 4:51 pm
I like the spools farther apart, otherwise they seem crowded.
991. Barbara phiel | March 1, 2010 at 6:47 pm
Closer together
992. mary jurewicz | March 1, 2010 at 6:53 pm
OPEN…it seems to have an open airy look .
and the spools stand-out, and are more visible.
993. Dorothy Cochran | March 1, 2010 at 6:54 pm
Further apart.
994. Terri Chevalier | March 1, 2010 at 7:08 pm
Both are good ! But I prefer them farther apart :)
995. NanAiello | March 1, 2010 at 7:37 pm
Farther apart! It definitely shows off the background fabrics, and the spools really “pop”!
996. florence carcia | March 1, 2010 at 7:55 pm
i like the further apart design
997. florence carcia | March 1, 2010 at 7:55 pm
further apart xoxo
998. Colleen | March 1, 2010 at 8:25 pm
Closer together unless there is dynamic quilting necessary in the farther apart block
999. June Kite | March 1, 2010 at 8:28 pm
Farther apart
1000. Carol | March 1, 2010 at 8:33 pm
I prefer farther apart.
For those who are more adventuresome, I envision that it would be lots of fun to put in a center close together, then space it farther out, and then just some random spools near the edge.
1001. Lorraine Schuch | March 1, 2010 at 9:12 pm
Farther apart.
1002. Karen Holt | March 1, 2010 at 9:26 pm
I like them better farther apart!!
1003. Jan | March 1, 2010 at 9:29 pm
closer together
1004. Barbara | March 1, 2010 at 9:39 pm
I agree it is hard to make a decision. But, I asked my husband and he said closer together. He said he didn’t know what dancing spools was susposed to look like. Squaredance?
Oh well.
1005. Maxine R. | March 1, 2010 at 9:40 pm
Closer together they form a cohesive unit. Farther apart each spool is isolated.
1006. Florence | March 1, 2010 at 10:09 pm
Closer.
1007. lifeisgrand | March 1, 2010 at 10:12 pm
Closer makes a more unified version(like they are able to work together)! And farther apart makes them appear disjointed (not able to function together)!! lol
Also- closer together is how MY own spools look! *giggle*
1008. Gayle Allen-Grier | March 1, 2010 at 11:29 pm
Closer together is my preference.
1009. Maryfred | March 2, 2010 at 1:19 am
Closer together is my choice
1010. Lin Hypes | March 2, 2010 at 3:23 am
Farther apart, please. There will be more opportunity for quilting in between the blocks, but also it looks more harmonious in design.
1011. Alice B | March 2, 2010 at 10:25 am
Further apart, the negative space makes the design much more interesting to me.
1012. Judy Nelson | March 2, 2010 at 10:59 am
Definitely, closer.
1013. Harlene | March 2, 2010 at 11:36 am
I suggest farther apart as it would be easier to fussy cut.
1014. Bonni Brooks | March 2, 2010 at 12:22 pm
Farther apart and with the brighter colors….easier to look at.
1015. Kim | March 2, 2010 at 6:11 pm
closer :0)
happy sewing
1016. bingo~bonnie | March 2, 2010 at 6:55 pm
I vote for closer together ;)
Love from Texas! ~bonnie
1017. Mary Anne Opalski | March 2, 2010 at 8:07 pm
Farther apart appeals to me more.
1018. Pat Lipscomb | March 2, 2010 at 8:11 pm
my husband and I agree that closer together is better. shows more contrast
1019. Sandy Anderson | March 3, 2010 at 3:39 am
Closer together
1020. patricia | March 3, 2010 at 10:28 am
I love this! Write both variations into the pattern and let us choose!
1021. Janny | March 3, 2010 at 3:22 pm
Closer together, please.
Like the quilt.
Beautiful colors.
Greetings from Holland
1022. cdpquilter50 | March 3, 2010 at 7:28 pm
Closer
1023. Linda | March 3, 2010 at 9:08 pm
I vote for closer together. It looks better to me.
1024. Ellen | March 3, 2010 at 10:14 pm
Definately closer together. I like the extra visual of father, but too much “extra space. I like the movement of the closer much better.
1025. Elayne | March 3, 2010 at 11:39 pm
Farther apart
1026. Adrianna | March 4, 2010 at 2:16 am
Closer. I don’t know why, but closer.
1027. Barb R | March 4, 2010 at 12:43 pm
Farther apart … the “blanks” give the eye a place to rest and travel.
1028. Charlotte | March 4, 2010 at 8:35 pm
definately closer — much better optics
1029. Cheri | March 5, 2010 at 7:38 pm
Further apart–allows you to see the design and doesn’t look cluttered.
1030. Melissa | March 6, 2010 at 1:27 pm
Closer — shows more of the alternate pattern made by the background.
1031. martha eaves | March 6, 2010 at 7:29 pm
I actually liked both options but I think the closer the spools are, the more they look like a typical set of spools in my sewing room so I will go for that as my final vote!! Maybe a few threads need to be hanging loose though.
1032. Peggy | March 8, 2010 at 7:28 pm
CLOSER
1033. Terry Chilko | March 9, 2010 at 10:12 am
Closer together!
;o)
1034. Donna Gibbs | March 11, 2010 at 2:03 am
I like the spools farther apart.
1035. jennie heeren | March 13, 2010 at 8:23 am
I believe it would be easier for me to determine whether I liked the spools closer or farther IF the spools were arranged in the same order. Good Luck
1036. Kaaren | March 14, 2010 at 9:14 pm
further
1037. KarenG | March 17, 2010 at 9:08 am
I prefer the spools farther apart! They seem more defined to me.
1038. Carole | April 3, 2010 at 6:16 pm
I like closer the best. Farther apart makes my eyes go crazy.
1039. Jan Fithian | April 5, 2010 at 9:23 pm
Further apart.