Awhile back I remember telling someone that I have difficulty setting blocks together unless the rows are even repeats and very symmetrical. Then, while playing with these cactus basket blocks, I kept coming back to the fact that something was clearly missing in the layout. I couldn't make it work.
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| Cactus Basket quilt |
I would carefully place the blocks into an 'even steven' layout and while it looked nice, it also looked boring and maybe even a little too sweet. Ughh. I do
not do sweet quilts on purpose. So the quilt blocks would get folded up and put away to simmer until they could learn to behave.*wink
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| Starting to put the top together |
This happened a couple times until finally I hit on the perfect solution--an asymmetrical layout. What? Me? And then it wasn't difficult at all because that's what this quilt was demanding! All along it was telling me to go with quirky, fun and random but I didn't hear or properly understand. Why is it so hard to get out of the groove of what we 'normally' do? Because it always works so perfectly well for us that we don't dare change things up and try something new?
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| A different kind of setting for me.... |
Anyway, making it asymmetrical changed my entire mind set about the quilt. Now I'm embracing the quirky side of this quilt and seeing positive changes in the energy and movement of the quilt. Fingers crossed I can just carry it through to the next border! This is me doing what I love best--trying to add a little bit of character to my quilts...
Perfect solution. I love it!
ReplyDeleteWell to me all your quilts have a little bit of character and I think a lot of them are also sweet. This was a great solution.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean - block after block does tend to get a little bit boring after a while. Can't help but notice you don't usually have that problem! Your quilts are never boring. Thankfully we can do whatever the heck we want with our own quilts. Isn't it fun?
ReplyDeleteI really like it!
ReplyDeleteLovely cactus basket quilt! And the applique flowers inside make them look so sweet!
ReplyDeleteI love the way your quilts talk to you! They are very clever. :)
ReplyDeleteThis is going to be a fun one.
I think it turned out great, your baskets are adorable!
ReplyDeleteOoh, I like it!!
ReplyDeleteGood solution. I did that once; it was perfect. Many antique quilts are set this way. I guess they listened better or were more practical than us. I also like the variation of your sashing fabrics. Can't wait to see the finish!
ReplyDeleteKind of like a humble quilt!
ReplyDeleteA brilliant solution!! I love the bits of brown sashing mixed in too.
ReplyDeleteKeeping it fresh...challenging ourselves to do something 'different' is very rewarding!
ReplyDeleteIsn't it funny how putting something away and letting it "simmer" in our minds gives a whole new perspective! I love this setting - just wonderful. blessings, marlene
ReplyDeleteI love these cactus blocks, and the dark setting triangles really make them pop. It's looking good!
ReplyDeleteOh, yes, what a character your quilt is now.
ReplyDeleteDon't do sweet??? Too funny.
I see you as a quilter who walks to her own beat. Doing something unexpected seems to fit you.
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ReplyDelete[sorry, typos above]
ReplyDeleteAdorable block! Love the lollipop cactus. Your setting is great, so inventive.
lizzy gone to the beach
your baskets are pretty! liking the layout too... Love baskets....I hand quilt too....on a Q-snap floor frame...or my Barnett's Hoop.
ReplyDeleteI like asymmetry (though it's something I've come to gradually). It works perfectly with your blocks here - as you say, not sweet at all, but quirky and full of energy.
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