Loving This Scrappy Dresden Border!

Late last year I almost started the Love Entwined applique BOM. Almost. I even printed out the first two months directions. Then I just sort of kissed it goodbye in an effort not to tie myself down with such a huge, detailed, applique project. Someday I am going to make a very special quilt like that, but for now I'm enjoying the freedom to go my own way.

Flowers and Flying Geese

Like these scrappy pink Dresdens. I just sort of stumbled into this idea after seeing the pink fabrics fanned out next to my quilt--me sitting there thinking, 'What next? It's gotta be pink!'

It worries me occasionally that all all my ideas will dry up and blow away before I can even get a solid fix on what they are. So silly when I think about how I work. It's not like I draw out an entire quilt idea before even getting started! (Okay, once in awhile that happens, but it's a very rare thing.) For me it generally starts with the fabric. I love to dig into my totes of stash fabric for the unlike-lies, the less than lovable and the ones that are so very shy they are easily overlooked.

If I dig deep enough, there are usually fabrics to be found that have been lurking around for a very long time. Then I have to wonder why they're still there! What is wrong with me that these fabrics haven't been given their special moment in the sun a quilt! Eventually I gather a neat little stack of fabrics together and the quilt starts taking on a life of it's own.

Take this Flowers and Flying Geese quilt. So far I've haven't had to buy any new fabric for it at all. Which just makes me so very happy.  I have finally managed to use the last little bit of fabric bought for a baby quilt for my youngest son (he's now 13). There are a couple fabrics given to me by an aunt at least 8 yrs. ago--originally from the late 80's maybe (a particular ugly time in the life of calico). Then there are the flying geese units which are from the baby quilt I made for a niece (going on 8 yrs? now). The modern looking pinks are from a quilt top I made for my sister back in 2005? And I know the blue flower fabrics are from a challenge project I attempted at least 10 yrs. ago.

A closer look

We should never be afraid of our stash fabric. I can't emphasize that enough! Mostly, stash fabric is just patiently waiting for the right blend of components to help us love them all over again. Sometimes it takes a new piece or two of fabric to help boost them into the limelight, but not always. One of the greatest merits of blending the old fabrics with the new is how the shades and tones change through the years. If you can figure out how to get past the fact that certain colors don't 'match' anymore, you might be pleasantly surprised by how your quilt starts talking to you, maybe even singing. It's brilliant and we have it all right here at our fingertips!

In the interest of full disclosure, I think it's only fair to admit that the biggest challenge usually ends up being the process. Uh huh. How do we make those oldy fabrics blend with the newer ones and still get a quilt that looks 'present'? (And what if we inadvertently make a quilt that takes everyone straight back to the 90's? Ack!) Obviously we have to find block patterns and layouts that resonate with us as well as our fabric choices.

All I can say is TRY, TRY, TRY. Success comes with experience, which is only possible when effort is expended.*sigh  If I find the magic formula I'll be sure and let you in on it. In the meantime, I'm still digging around for some unlikely blues for the next border....