A very big thank you to everyone who linked up their
Quilty 365 quilts or quilt tops! So exciting to see 19 wonderful versions all together. The Random Generator determined that Wendy Caton Reed from 'The Constant Quilter' is the winner of the first giveaway! {I included the names of 3 quilters who finished quilt tops but didn't have a blog to link up to.} Congrats to the second giveaway winner, Karen from 'Karen's Korner'! as well.
 |
| Loving these blocks! |
On a more personal note, I finally got the quilt top finished up for my Rising Sun blocks that were giving me oodles of trouble. Several were puckered so badly in places or 'hilly' in the middle, that it seemed impossible to go further with them. But after all that work? Crazy to throw them away.
 |
| A new quilt top! |
Being an intrepid soul, I came up with a plan to cut them in half and use them for border work in a totally different layout than originally planned. I marked the center line and then sewed very close on both sides. After that, I sliced through the marked line. Having the the edges of the quilt stay-stitched will {at least partially} secure the blocks from unraveling while engaging in future quilting. It's an offbeat solution, but using them way helps mask the glaringly, obvious mistakes by demoting them to a secondary position in the quilt. Plus, cutting down through the middle helps stretch out that poofy area that happened from my careless stitching. In my pie-in-the-sky dreams, hand quilting will eventually smooth out the worst of the worst and then washing and subsequent crinkling of the quilt will make it all look charmingly make-do.
 |
| Rising Sun blocks now in the border... |
Honestly, I am absolutely thrilled and yes, giddy! with the way the alternate applique came out! It's so sweet in a look-at-me sort of way. Totally holding its own with the more complex rising sun blocks! It was so odd though, to work backwards and then be scrambling to fill in
the middle of a quilt. So challenging and yet, zero pressure to speak of. I mean seriously, how much worse could it get? I literally had almost nothing to lose from this experiment! So ironic how the challenge of working with a big fat 'oops' can cause us to be more invested in a quilt project too. In this case, it ended up being so much better than the original plan 'cuz I just totally went with my gut and played for the pleasure of playing. Hey, why not try this? And the results are more 'me' than ever expected. Maybe the 'me' look is a big helping of mistakes with a generous side of 'fix-it'. Hmmm... Something to consider?*wink
I so glad you found a way to use the Rising Sun blocks without using a seam ripper. There's too much work in them to let them languish out of sight.
ReplyDeleteVery, very cool border!!
ReplyDeletecut in half like that they would work out really well! Congrats to your winners.
ReplyDeleteCongrats to the winners! Looks like you have another winner with your update of Rising Sun, maybe you can rename it Strawberry Parfaits in the Morning Sun, lol! Those little flower buds sure look like strawberries to my hungry-for-dessert eyes.
ReplyDeleteYou're a genius!
ReplyDeletewhat a good way to do a border the half suns work so very well
ReplyDeleteSorry I missed the link up; I was trying to finish my quilting and didn't quite make it in time. I really enjoyed seeing all the other quilts though. This one of yours is a treasure; somehow the combination of those suns with your applique works just perfectly.
ReplyDeleteAgain a lovely quilt, great idea to use the rising sun block this way, and it makes a great quilt. Love the applique, especially the little "strawberries" Greetings
ReplyDeleteThis is brilliant - I love it!!
ReplyDeleteAnd brilliant idea, too, to sew and then cut!
Also thank you for the reminder to "go with your gut"!
Best wishes!
This is wonderful...so pretty! :)
ReplyDeleteI love how the backgrounds of the suns and the sashings play into each other. I love the play of the intricate borders and the simple, happy applique center. I love that you played with what you had until it worked. It's a charmer!
ReplyDeleteI adore this quilt! And i think your 'me' quilts always include a hearty dollop each of Fun and Joy.
ReplyDeleteThis quilt is wonderful!! The rising sun blocks make a perfect border for the simple applique. I so enjoy reading about the process involved in making your delightful quilts!! Definitely a fun quilt!!
ReplyDeleteWell, your "gut" wins again. Funny how this one evolved, but I LOVE everything about it. I love the sashing fabric and how is runs out into the border. Kudos! And, thanks again for the opportunity to win some new thread and needles! Woohoo!
ReplyDeleteThis is a great solution for those blocks. The quilt really works well. Nice finish!
ReplyDeleteGreat save of those Cog Wheels. I never would have thought to use them as a border.
ReplyDeleteThe applique is sure fun. Looks like a glass of pudding with a cherry on top...or a cherry tomato on top now that I look at the stem.
The Rising Sun blocks make a wonderful border. I like the way you extended the sashing through the border and the slight variations in green posts. That shade of pink really makes the rest of the quilt pop. Lovely.
ReplyDeleteI am so impressed by the creative problem solving you did on this quilt! Very well done. It is going to be beautiful and if it's "very you" all the better!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your lovely quilt top, & to the winners of your lovely giveaway too!
ReplyDeleteMy Quilty 365 quilt is finished and I would love to post picture. How do I do this?
ReplyDeleteBetty@White-Rivers.com
This is such a great quilt top! The wheels on the outside give it wonderful movement, and the appliqué blocks inside somehow work perfectly. You are a marvel. I love seeing what you make!
ReplyDeleteWow! I love this quilt top!! The central blocks are so fun and you never disappoint with the fabulous borders you choose.
ReplyDelete