Friday, January 3, 2014

Finally Found a Name For My Quilt and More Strings Play

I finished the hand quilting on my Gold and Red Qtr. Triangle quilt which has now been graced with the new name 'Dutch Comfort'. If I would have pushed myself, I think this quilt could have been finished in 2013, but who wants to do that? The binding was laying towards the bottom of my tote of reds, a perfect sized piece of fabric to cut all my binding out with about 1/2" to spare through the width. Love it when it works out like that especially since this piece of fabric is at least 8 yrs. old!
Dutch Comfort
Then I was feeling restless. None of my current projects were doing it for me and really, I just wanted to dig through the scrap bin and play. Without consciously thinking it through (although my recently purchased used 'Old Swedish Quilts' by Asa Wettre book had to be an influence), I pulled these fabrics and made three quick string blocks. Okay now what? I need (at the very least) a little tiny plan of attack!
My starting blocks
I decided my perimeters would be like this: All the fabrics I pulled from the scrap bin would have to at least blend with these initial three blocks. Every fabric used would need to be just over 5" long (no little tiny piecings) and I would sew strings together willy nilly until the blocks were just over 5" wide whether they had two strings or five.
String blocks variation #1
After I had about half the design wall filled with blocks I stood back and took a good look. Very discouraging. Everything looked blah and uninspired (sorry, did not take a picture of this step). I felt that clench in my stomach that tells me my big, fun, play day had turned out to be a spectacular bomb.
String blocks variation #2
Okay. What to do. What to do. I turned off the iron and my sewing machine, left for a bit to change the laundry over and then climbed the stairs again to check things over with fresh eyes. Hmmm... I remembered my book and thought about connections. So.. after briefly perusing through the book, it occurred to me that scrap quilts should mean something. I rifled through my dwindling little stash of fabric from my Grandma and cut two pieces into however many string shapes I could get. Then I raided my scrap bin once again and pulled darks, more pinks and more rosy reds.

I know, I know--my fallback colors. Always and forever probably.
Getting the scraps organized
Gotta go with what you love. For some reason I respond well to quilts that have a dark edginess and also, for me, the pinks and reds make everything happy again. We'll see where this quilt takes me. I think it's coming along very nicely now and there's a quiet little happiness to working on it. That spells success to me.*wink

23 comments:

  1. Dutch Comfort looks just lovely, and here's to finding 8-year-old remnants that are the perfect size and colour. Sounds like you had fun playing - I'll be interested to see what you reveal.

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  2. Good job on finishing, and I really love your fabric colors. The new scraps look like fun, can't wait to see what they become!

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  3. me gusta es real mente precioso tu Comfort holandés !!!!
    me intriga el nuevo proyecto.......
    saludos

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  4. Congratulations on Dutch Comfort finish - it is beautiful and suits the name !

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  5. Oh you know I love those gorgeous strings!! Well done day of play!

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  6. Your first finish of the new year, congratulations it is so pretty! I like both of the settings but an also partial to pink and red, so I love those additions!

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  7. Perfect name! Looks like your having a lot of fun with those strings!

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  8. Play - that's really a good word for all of us! Think I'll go do that right now! Take care, Pam

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  9. I like dark edges too...
    Love your finish, and the name.

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  10. Fun name for your quilt!! Playing with scraps always helps release the inner creative spirit. Go with the flow---you just had a nice finish & it's time to play.

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  11. Congrats on getting the finish, and finding the perfect binding fabric! That can be such a struggle sometimes. I almost never seem to plan ahead for the binding. No, don't rush just to meet some not-really-important goal. A deadline is good, but a good finish is even better.

    Love the play with strings! I know what you mean about that clench in the stomach - I've had that too. Along with the sinking feeling. But play shouldn't have to be perfect on the first pass - that isn't play. Sounds like you're making good choices for you, and I really like the look of what you're doing. It does look happy now! It will be fun to watch this evolve.
    Happy New Year! Here's to many good finishes this year!

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  12. Looks like you are off to a good start of 2014! The Dutch Comfort is beautiful and I really like the start of your swedish inspired string blocks in layout 2. Allowing one to play and improvise can open up for a bit of frustration. I can relate to that. When you get to the next step, it's usually worth it. Have fun making!
    ; )

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  13. Sounds like the perfect way to spend your day - playing in your sewing room!!

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  14. Perfect name! It really has a warm feel to it, doesn't it?

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  15. Love the name Dutch Comfort and can't wait to see your string creation!!

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  16. what a nice finish to start the year...the scrappy one is looking good...photo 2 is my favorite...have to ask...Will there be applique?

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  17. Yea! Congratulations on your beautiful quilted finish. Your name for it really fits. I LOVE your scrappy string quilt! I can't tell you how often I've rescued things by adding red and/or black. Lately, I've also been adding little bits of hot pink and bright orange.

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  18. I actually really like the second layout for the string quilt. Its lovely.

    Congratulations on finding the perfect name for your quilt. I really struggle with naming mine !

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  19. Dutch Comfort is such a great name for your quilt. I love your string play! I really like the first layout. I think it's so lovely that you added fabrics that were your grandmother's.

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  20. I'm loving your string start - yum, yum, yum!

    Dutch Comfort is lovely. Don't you love finding just what you need in your very own stash?!

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  21. Love your Dutch Comfort - and great name! Ooh, have fun with those scraps!

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  22. Dutch Comfort...very nice indeed!

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  23. Just found your blog and love your quilts. Dutch Comfort is gorgeous :)

    I'm embarrassed to admit I have 3 totes full of scraps! Every time I decide I'm going to make a scrap quilt, I can't seem to tackle those scraps and make anything...AAARRRGGGHH!

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