Reworked border design

I decided the other border did not fit the series theme, so I spent much of the day reworking the border design, and here is my latest result.  This border was inspired by a Medieval border design found in Dover Pictura Art of Illuminated Manuscript, but I substantially changed and reworked it.  This border is much more in keeping with its sister quilt “Canterbury Silk”.

So I think this design is almost complete.  I was thinking about how to approach the horse and knight and the background castle, and decided it will have to be done in a number of steps. First of all, I will digitally paint the horse all by himself, without any of his armor or tackle, and without his mane and tail.  Then print it on fabric.  The mane and tail will be threadwork, and the tackle will be fabric applique or machine embroidery or both.  The knight will be approached in much the same way, with a digital painting of his face and hair, and the armor and tunic will be fabric appliques and machine embroidery for the details.  I am thinking of just a simple applique with detailed machine stitching of the castle in the background.  This approach will put more emphasis on the knight.

I’m still trying to decide if I really want the court musician or jester or whatever he is in the border with the trumpet, or if I want to replace him with more leaves and a bird.  In any event the whole border will be quilted and then painted, like I did on Canterbury Silk.

What do you think?

Sew Happy everyone…Merry Christmas!