Thursday, March 28, 2019

Nine of Ten


I can't say I was that pleased with the blocks I brought home from my Planned and Unplanned class at QuiltCon. The topic, with Melanie Tuazon [melintheattic] teaching, was a good one, and I intend to explore it further. That wasn't the problem. I think it was a combo of my fabric choices and block design. I very nearly just tossed the blocks when I came across them the other night. But no, it seemed only right to give them a chance.


And I'm glad I did! I came up with a rough layout and just started piecing the blocks together, adding some contrasting bits to help align things and add some interest. Since Melanie had encouraged us to play with scale in class, I had made one much larger block before running out of time. And if I'd been up for making a bunch more blocks, it would have fit right in. But instead, I wanted to basically keep with what I'd made in class and make a smaller project. Due to that, the extra big block seemed overwhelming! Thankfully it dawned on me to drastically trim it along its sides, and I think it 'fits' so much better.


I debated whether or not to matchstick-quilt this one, which sounded fun, but for some reason, I wanted to give the piece some movement. So I skimmed thru my copy of WALK by Jacquie Gering, and settled on a curved crosshatch. I used Aurifil 50wt #2830 [mint], a winsome light green thread that provided a little contrast and added another green element while not being too conspicuous.
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So that was fun! I took something I wasn't that excited about, and somehow, in a moment when I needed a creative distraction, was relatively quickly able to turn it around to become something I'm actually quite pleased with. It measures just 14 1/2" x 20 1/2", and I think I'll use it as a mat under my computer. My favorite project ever? Not quite. But I like it well enough, and it'll be a good reminder of an even better QuiltCon moment in time.


Did you notice the orientation of the quilt changed depending on my photo location? Totally not my intent. The photo directly above shows the piece upside down from my original thought.... do you have a preference??

14 comments:

  1. I like your quilt very much! The colours are mine, too.

    Greeetings from germany!
    Beate

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  2. I think it's fun! I do like the original (first) orientation... for some reason the bigger block on the left side helps it "read" left to right... does that make any sense at all?

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  3. I think it turned out really cool! Either orientation works for me.

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  4. I really like the motion that the quilting gives the piece. I'm glad you were able to push through and finish these blocks into a mini. I definitely understand when a project doesn't really spark and am always pleasantly surprised when it grows on me over time.

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  5. What grabbed my attention was your quilting! I want to try that soon. It’s really adds a lot of movement to this quilt! And until I read your description, I had no idea this quilt was so small lol. How difficult do you think this quilting method will be on a larger quilt? -Southercharlie

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  6. Very nice. The contrast black and darker brown keep the lighter colors from overwhelming. And the mix up layout gives movement and balance. Good eye.
    Good photos too.

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  7. Interesting. I hadn't realized it was turning in the pictures. Looking back I guess I would hang it with the big X on the left but I don't know why. It looks wonderful from each angle.

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  8. I think it works both ways :) And I loooove the quilting!

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  9. Oh - I just love the curved crosshatch quilting you did on this. It looks good no matter if upside down, or right side up - you made it all turn out beautifully. I'm glad you gave these blocks a chance to shine in their own way :)! Enjoy!

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  10. I like very much your large scale block and I prefer to see it on the left ( don't ask me why though ... 😉). The quilting design adds a beautiful movement to the whole. I definitely have to try that ...

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  11. Lemonade fro lemons! You always seem to pull things together, even things your not in love with! It's beautiful and the quilting is stellar!

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  12. I am so glad you worked through these pieces. The big block trimmed and the bits you added to the blocks make them look like cards dropped in a pile. I love the movement of the quilting too. Great job. I am going to take your thoughts to my working design board of bee blocks. I have perspective and sizes to work through and I will see if I might try a few things from your experience here. :P

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  13. Awesome finish, Debbie! I really like what you did. And you encourage me: I still have a couple of "almost quilts" from different classes I've taken, languishing in the pile.
    (PS I don't think the direction matters one bit.)

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