I'm a quilter without a plan... that's just how I operate. Ok, well, I do from time to time make a plan for my ongoing projects, but a good majority of what I do, starts out with no real A to Z, start-to-finish, mapped out direction. Usually such quilting projects leave you with a pretty good story once you do finally make it to the finish line... so, are you ready for a sit back and grab a cup of coffee kind of tale?
I actually started my Churnstile quilt back in February of this year when I wanted to "audition" potential bee blocks for when it was my turn to be queen bee. It didn't take long for me to figure out that I liked the block so much, and had such a very specific color direction, that I decided to keep it for myself. After adding several blocks, I had my usual debate of layout and size. (I guess one could argue that since I do this with almost every quilt, that this IS actually the plan)
In the end, this quilt came with a nice surprise... it turned out way bigger that I thought it would, and even big enough to be a bed quilt! (I seriously didn't plan that one!?!) By summer I was able to get the back finished and the quilt basted just before our big move, but as you can imagine, pulling up roots in one spot, and setting them down in another can take some time to get adjusted. By the time I found my sewing table again, there were several quilts that had cut line, and it was hard to pick this back up since it felt that I wasn't really sure where I had left off. But there's nothing like the push of a deadline to put you back on track... aka end of the year Finish-A-Long.
For the backing I used two leftover blocks that didn't make it in the quilt top, and added two blocks of color. Somehow I really wanted a simple backing, and used a good bit of cream Basic Grey grunge fabric for the rest.
I kept the quilting pretty simple by following the extending lines of the blocks. Perhaps if I had stayed on track the whole time with this quilt, then I might have done something a little more creative... do you get that way too, just going with whatever gets the projects done? Well, I suppose that's not all bad because a finished project means getting to start on the next one.
Quilt: Pattern: Churnstile from Stitchery Dickory Dock, Churn Dash block from the January Sugar Block Club
Started: February 2016
Fabrics: Alison Glass,
Carolyn Friedlander, Cotton & Steel, Lizzy House, and various
additional prints from my stash. Low volume with color background
fabrics
Finished quilt size: ca. 66 x 82 in. (168 x 208 cm)
...behind the scenes shots are always such fun... can you spot my little helper?
Linking up with Let's Bee Social and 2016 Finish-A-Long
Don't you just love it when you carefully and gently pull all the finished blocks from your quilt wall to assemble them into your long awaited quilt top, and realize once it's together, that it appears that it is now half the size? (please note the obvious sarcasm)... the wonder and the mystery of "the great Shrink"
If you've been around here since I've been quilting, then you know that I'm a quilt size debator... usually battling the back and forth if I should make it bigger. (I suppose I figure that if you're going to do it at all, you might as well do it big) Even for this quilt, I seriously contemplated adding more blocks, because I had calculated that it would be a mere lap quilt after "the great Shrink".
So once the top was together, I quickly ran upstairs to take advantage of the bright, sunny day, and the fact that the kids were out of the house. I excitedly threw the quilt over my son's twin size bed and had my first surprise... it was too big and too long for the bed! (hardly a lap quilt!) Then I even more excitedly ran to my bedroom and threw it over my queen size bed... and much to my astonishment, found that it was almost big enough to fit my bed! (not quite, but again… not a lap quilt!)
Well, don’t you just love it when you over estimate, and are later pleasantly surprised with more than what you had originally calculated?
Quilt pattern: Churnstile from Stitchery Dickory Dock, Curn Dash block from the January Sugar Block Club
Started: February 2016
Fabrics: Alison Glass, Carolyn Friedlander, Cotton & Steel, Lizzy House, and various additional prints from my stash. Low volume with color background fabrics
Finished quilt top size: ca. 66 x 82 in. (168 x 208 cm)
What are your “the great Shrink” experiences?
Linking up this week with Let's Bee Social and Sew Cute Tuesday.
Size, size, size? It's always a matter of size isn't it? But how do you know when you've reached the right size with a quilt? I suppose it really is quite simple, isn't it... simply follow the pattern, right?
Well, I would have to say that I'm the kind of person why places like Burger King came up with the idea to "make it your way". Everything on my burger is ok except for ketschup, but I like to add mustard... so I have to customize it! Well, that same need to adjust, modify, change, and make it my way doesn't stop at burgers...
My version of the Churnstile quilt has developed, though quite unintentional, like many of my other quilts... making the rules up as I go. My first debate was whether to set the blocks on point or straight... the pattern is on point, but my gut said straight. The confirmation that I was on the right track was the feedback that I got on Instagram. Second decision was where to set the cornerstones... again going with my gut. And of course the never ending debate with myself... size.
I started out with eight different color combinations for the blocks, and repeated several, but with its current size, not all blocks are repeated. Without a particular recipient in mind, I also don't have a particular size planned either. Do I stop now or let it keep growing with each block being repeated twice? Hmmm, I guess I'll be thinking about it while I am quilting this quilt.
When it comes to your own quilts, do you make it up as you go, or do you go by the book? If you do make up the rules as you go, do you struggle with issues like size and layout?
LInking up to Let's Bee Social and Sew Cute Tuesday.
Somehow as my list of WIP's gets smaller, it makes me feel unsettled when I come into my sewing room. While it feels great to have knocked several biggie projects off my list, somehow it leaves me feeling a little lost when there are not multiple projects in the works. I've come to realize that am totally moody when it comes to sewing. While logically it makes the most sense to complete one project at a time, creatively I find that I am inwardly frustrated when I don't have options of what to sew. One day I feel like curves, the next day it's traditional piecing, and quilting days are like fish days... I really have to be in the mood to enjoy it.
Oddly enough, now that my design wall is starting to fill back up again, I feel at ease with so much flipping potential. What started out as "audition blocks" have made it to WIP status and are now growing. While I know such project flipping is not for everyone, somehow it's what works best for me.
The Green Smoothie quilt (leaves) is actually planned for our bed, and I have decided to make only one row of leaves offset to one side... lots of white space on this one! This will be, at least size wise, my biggest project yet... a king size quilt! I'm a little hesitant when I think about stuffing this through my machine, but very simple straight lines should help a lot.
I have decided that my Churnstile blocks will stay as a basket/backburner project, and it's nice to know that I don't have any additional prep right now when we have our monthly Patchwork Treffen meetings. I was able to add a few more blocks since our last meeting and I'm still trying to decide how big I want to go with this.
Well, I suppose that this quilt cannot stay on the backburnner for too long since we have another get together next weekend... I'll keep you updated on my progress.
Linking up to Let's Bee Social and Sew Cute Tuesdays.
I have to admit that I've really enjoyed having a project in the works that is already cut and ready to go. For our Modern Patchwork Treffen in February, I ended up cutting almost all of the fabrics for my Churnstile quilt blocks... so when we met again in March, all I had to do was just sit down and sew! Ok, ok... so I think it's safe to say that this will not be my bee block, which is ok since it seems as if I've developed very specific ideas about the colors and fabrics.
I thought that I needed to add a few blocks with softer tones to give this a little more balance... this shade of periwinkle is just perfect!
For a lack of a better word, I've also been making a few "cornerstone" blocks too. (I'm sure there's a quilting term for these smaller blocks) It's been fun work on a few placement ideas to see how they would look best when integrated in with the larger blocks... always open for feedback! (hint, hint)
Since this had officially been labeled another "basket project", you'll see little bits of progress here and there. I've got a pretty big basting project to start on!
Linking up this week to Let's Bee Social and Sew Cute Tuesday.
Well, it would appear that I've gone just a little beyond auditioning blocks to slipping into a completely new project... but not without good reason! This past weekend was our Modern Patchwork Treffen (quilting group) here in Hamburg, and I needed something to work on. While I'm coming close to the end of quilting my Farm Girl Vintage quilt, I am now in the process of considering quilting options for the border... and I need to have a little more concentration (and space) for actual quilting. Not really the best take it with you project. But I have to admit that it was reassuring that I wasn't the only one with a new project in the works... in fact we all had new projects that we were working on!
It was so fun to see the variety of our projects... each person with their own style, different color palette, and range of tastes. As always the exchange was great... sharing ideas, quilting techniques... and come on, who doesn't love talking about fabric?!? In the end we arranged our finished blocks to admire them all in one spot.
As far as other projects in the works go, I've almost convinced myself that maybe I really can quilt my Facing East quilt instead of sending it off. All the ladies in our quilting group are cheering me on to quilt it myself! I've been playing around with a few quilting design options, but am still debating what is best for this quilt. I drew out a few designs on baking paper and placed them over the top of a picture of my quilt. I had thought either one large graduated circle or several smaller graduated circles with some straight line quilting... any thoughts? too busy? favor one over the other?
Few on words, but heavy on pictures... What's on your work table this week?
Linking ups this week to Let's Bee Social and Sew Cute Tuesday.
Did you ever try out for anything in high school?... for a cheerleader, a sports team, or even a main character of a play? I guess we all know how important auditions can be... really getting to see who fits the open spot the best.
I notice that after I finish a major project, I find that I need some kind of quick sewing project as a way to catch my breath from the mountain that I just climbed... and after having made it to the top of my Mt. Everest, I thought that playing around with some possible blocks for when I am queen bee would be a nice little distraction before I take a deep breath to gear up for some finishes.
There are three quilts that have captured my attention recently, and even though I am not the "queen bee" until summer, I like having the time to really think about what I want to work on then. The first blocks that I have been auditioning are from Stichery Dickory, and are from her January Sugar Block of the Month series. I first fell in love with her Churnstile quilt, but after playing around with placement options, I decided that I prefer the blocks set straight rather than on point... the responses that I've gotten on Instagram confirmed my gut instinct. I think that this could be a fun block since other bee members are not limited to one color palette.
My second block audition is inspired from Gigi's Thimble's pineapple quilt. I love everything about this quilt... especially the colors! This is actually an 18 inch block, and I hesitate asking my fellow bee members to make a 100 piece paper pieced block! I have decided that even if I do not choose this one, that it would still make a stunning pillow.
The last quilt that just has my heart pounding is the Green Smoothie quilt that Sew Kind of Wonderful released in thier latest book. I love the simplicity of this quilt, but am also asking myself if curved piecing is the right thing for a bee block. It's a lot for me to finish, and I'm not sure that I want to do that to myself either!
Well, in any case, which ever block I decide to pick, you can be sure that you will find a few of these Alison Glass lovelies worked in somewhere. I just adore the Endpaper fabrics from her latest Sun Print series... swoon!
So, do you "audition" blocks before you decide on making a whole quilt?
Linking up this week to Let's Bee Social, Sew Cute Tuesday, and Modern Patch Monday
