Tuesday, June 20, 2017

It's Not Perfect, But I Like It Anyway

I was looking around for a quick machine quilting project and remembered the green Floating Squares quilt. It took almost no time to sandwich and pin the top and then of course, why not dive into the quilting? So funny that I finished up the hand quilting on Learning Curves over the weekend too as it has some of the same dark green fabrics used as in the other.
Floating Squares #2 and Learning Curves--ready for binding
Sometimes it happens that way when you make quilts with lots of different fabrics. It's not unusual to see the same piece of fabric in five or more different quilts around here!  The green Floating Squares quilt was a crazy, dive-deep-into-the-stash-tote sort of effort and also, my second time to attempt this sort of process {another of Sherri Lynn Wood's improv. scores}. Honestly, I'm not sure it's any better than the first, but for some reason I like it anyway.  Some of the things I like about it is the fact that it looks truly looks make-do and carefree to me. Kind of 'Gee's Bend-ish'? It's not square, just has roughly trimmed sides and the piecing is absurdly unapologetic in its lack of pretentiousness. If this quilt had been made in a fabulous color palette, I would probably be hand quilting the tar out of it with Perle Cotton and getting ready to hang it on a wall!
The Green Floating Squares is a finish!
I also really like that it has at least two fabrics that have been lurking in the totes for over 20 years and many, many more that are not the least bit new or exciting. That makes me sooo... happy! And brings back lots of memories too, as at least one fabric was used in my very first full sized quilt. I'm always intrigued by the blending of old fabrics with newer, and how even a cactus print fabric can nestle up against a Christmassy fabric in this sort of quilt without looking completely bizarre.
Love the addition of raspberry pink
In fact, in a one or two color quilt, the print often becomes secondary to the value changes in the dominant color. One thing I've discovered for sure, green quilts are tough to make. Wowsers, is it ever hard to make a pretty green quilt unless you stick to the lighter, brighter, clearer greens! It's one of my irresistible colors though. I buy it in every tone and shade, whenever there's opportunity. Greens are so serene and calm, but they can be surprisingly drab and murky too. I'm sure some of you are thinking 'Audrey, it's time to step away from the green fabric tote!'*sigh
Finally found the perfect place to use that strange
butterfly, backing fabric that was given to me!
I will, I will....  But there's no harm in challenging ourselves to step outside of our comfort zones, experimenting with new color palettes or new methods of putting a quilt together. It's often an excellent way to reinforce the hard earned lessons of value and intuitive piecing or play. And more importantly, using the oldy, moldy fabrics makes us feel less constrained to cut and hack into fabric and perhaps make a quilt we regret making. What's to regret about this one? Absolutely nothing!
#isitoouglytobeagift
I snuck away from the bookwork piling up on my desk to write this post. Guess it's probably time to get back to work! Linking up with Linda and Julie Lou at Sew, Stitch, Snap, Share #6. After all this dabbling in darker, more intense colors the past couple months, I'm about ready to start a brand new low volume quilt just to get myself back on an even keel!



20 comments:

  1. Steeping Waaay outside my comfort zone with improv bulls eye blocks..even have to pin--yikes!
    But I am enjoying the challenge and the concentration needed takes my mind off of issues at home...
    I like the curve blocks you have made a lot...
    I've never done curves before--they really slow me down...hugs, Julierose

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  2. It's not perfect - but I like it anyway - that could be my quilting motto! Your green floating squares has lots of movement and interest with the different fabrics used - and the pink binding sets it off nicely.

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  3. Love the little bits of bright pink in your floating squares. I find 'green' very tricky to use, but I keep on trying! So good to be able to use up those older fabrics, very satisfying. Thanks for linking up with 'sew stitch snap SHARE'

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  4. all the greens work so well together and so good to have used fabrics both old and new to you. Loving the pink binding too. As for the other quilt it amazes me all those curves breautiful

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  5. I don't think I would have enough of any one colour to make a quilt like your green floating squares. Perfect backing fabric too. Thanks for linking to Sew Stitch Snap SHARE.

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  6. Two words come to mind when I look at the floating squares quilt... free and fun! Makes me smile! I love it!

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  7. Makes me want to go look at my green scraps!!! YUM!

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  8. As Kermit says, It's not easy being green. Funny how I love the warm (especially poison) greens, but almost never use the cooler blue greens. Kudos to you for bringing them all together and making them work! Love the freeness (not sure that is a word) of this one. You are on a roll!

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  9. No, it is perfect and I love it!!!

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  10. I have yet to make a perfect quilt, and I've made hundreds. As my husband says, that's how you know it's a handmade item, made with love. Speaking of love...I love it!

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  11. Love the way you hand quilted Learning Curves! Imperfectly Perfect is my style; however, yours looks perfect to me!

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  12. Wonderful Floating Squares, love those pops of bright pink!

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  13. Your philosophy of trying new methods and styles is a perfect way to grow and develope your own style. And you do that so well.

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  14. Green is a fav of mine...and oh how I love this quilt!! Never would have thought....green and hot pink together... wonderful!

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  15. I think it's beautiful. Is it too ugly to be a gift? No!--not to the right person--someone who appreciates spontaneity and joy and doesn't want something that looks factory produced. Someone who appreciates quiet beauty. I love your work!

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  16. I like it too! I love greens, but strangely haven't used them much in my quilts. Must do something about that.

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  17. You gave a very personal touch to the floating squares score. And the pink binding was the perfect choice !

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  18. Ha! I like everything that you do so if you want my shipping address just email me XO

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  19. I'm using green more frequently these days. One of my
    Favorites combines bits of pink/red with green so o love the bits of hot pink you scattered across this quilt. And the binding.
    You're right. These new forays are a perfect place to use up old fabric. You have so many gorgeous quilts. You'll find a home for this sometime soon.

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  20. You are so right that the problem is getting a range of value and contrast, and you've succeeded here. The sparks of magenta are genius. I've noticed a lot of greens don't photograph well, tending to brown or grey. It is a memory quilt that,looks to the future in its spontaneity.

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