So.... I had a whole bunch of these little flying geese units. And an idea. Crazy thing, those ideas. They can can turn into loads of work right before your eyes.*wink
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| Time to use up the flying geese units |
Anyway, since I'm a such glutton for punishment, I decided to make a couple strip sets or panels out of these flying geese. Whatever length I ended up with, well..., that would be the length of my quilt. You know, the one that I'm making
because I am making the other comfort quilt? You see, there's an issue. Or could be. If the stars don't align properly. When I give that particular comfort quilt to whom I want to give it to, then there is someone else who will undoubtedly notice. There could be hurt feelings and then I'll feel bad and well...., let's just say it could get complicated. Giving sometimes is. Especially with large families.
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| How bout sewing them into strips? |
So in an effort to avoid possible issues, I pulled out all the orphan blocks that mostly blended with these flying geese units and decided to play. It's sort of a random sampler/improv. quilt made in strips or panels so there should be lots of leeway. I guess the
last random sampler quilt was so much fun, I just can't help going back for seconds! And really, there is just something incredibly freeing about giving it the ol' eyeball test and just sewing things together.
This quilt was a lot more carefree than the last one though. I didn't make any extra blocks whatsoever, just pulled fabrics to make everything look more cohesive around the 8 or so orphan blocks found in the totes. I cut big {and little} chunks of fabric to make things look a little bit more interesting color-wise and here we are, almost a finished quilt top already. Doesn't this look all springy and fun?
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| 5 Strip sets ready to sew together.... |
Uh huh. Comparing the two comfort quilts, my heart sank. Could this one {possibly} look a little more special? You know, if you aren't a quilter and think all the piecing equals
more? Adding a wee little bit of applique to the fall colored helped bring the other one up to snuff, but seriously, adding applique after the machine quilting is finished?*sigh Stop me while you still can. I don't want either quilt to be so 'fancy' they don't get used, but this is getting a little out of hand.
p.s This is why I quit quilting for others around and for the holidays. It usually snowballs on me in the very worst way....
I think your recipients will be so happy that you thought enough of them to make them a quilt. Both quilts look great!
ReplyDeleteA wee bit of applique sounds good to me!
ReplyDeleteI hate to agree (as it could mean more work) but a small basket of flowers in colors that balance the FG strips would pop the whole thing. Your instincts are spot on so go forth in creative joy.
ReplyDeleteI like how you put together left over blocks and use what you have - the strips look made for each other.
ReplyDeleteI am making quilts for my two adult sons for Christmas. But I keep looking at them and wondering - is one pattern more interesting than the other? Am I doing more quilting on one? Are the fabrics as interesting? I'm giving myself a headache!
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean. I made my first rag quilt out of flannel for my grand son. I hated making it. Two granddaughters saw it and wanted one too. Flannel was on sale so I told them I would take them to pick fabric, what we won't do for grands. Their mother wanted one as well and I gave in and said yes. Well I knocked out the two granddaughters quickly but couldn't do the daughters. I am now making her quilt over a year later. Yup, they snowball.
ReplyDeleteDo non quilters actually even think about things like that? I don't think so. What a fun quilt!
ReplyDeleteI always love a bit of appliqué.
ReplyDeleteAs a wise person once said on the blogosphere.....an unfinished quilt will not comfort anyone....Comparison is the thief of joy......don't overthink this my dear. These are little reminders I have picked up that help me get through some angst. You may try and please everyone and it's not always possible, please yourself and I am sure those quilts will comfort the recipients because they are given with love.
ReplyDeleteI love making quilts this way. And somehow I never run out of orphans. Yours is looking great. Can't wait to see the finished product.
ReplyDeleteYou do get yourself into trouble don't you!! Looking good.
ReplyDeleteLove the way this looks! And a bit of applique.......
ReplyDeleteYou'll work your magic to bring everything together.
ReplyDeleteI think that a non quilter is probably just going to think about color schemes and such. I wouldn't make a pink quilt for my son, that sort of thing.
ReplyDeleteI made one recently and stitched some quotes, names, dates of the couple being gifted on the quilt. With tread. Turned out very nice. Added some extra but wasn't hard.
ReplyDeleteYour quilt looks pretty now.
I think it's just lack of contrast in the fabrics that's putting you off here. It'll be fun to see what you decide to do!
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