Saturday, December 20, 2014

Quarter Circles Round #2

It's probably because I've been hand quilting on the Quarter Circles quilt so much, but I just can't quit thinking about these bulls-eye blocks. I really like them. I want to make more. But I don't want an identical quilt, so... I thought and thought about it until I decided to start my 'Quarter Circles Round #2' quilt. Can't have too much of a good thing!
Playing with the bulls-eye block
And just to shake things up a bit, I'm making layers of circles (the bulls-eye) this time around. And then I will cut them into quarters like before. The circles are deliberately not perfect so that the end result will be a little bit 'off'. You've noticed that I'm very enamored of that look? lol Probably going a different direction with the sashing etc. too, but those decisions are for later. For the here and now, I'm just having fun with the fabrics and loving the different looks I can create from certain combinations of colors and prints.
Sewing on the middle circles
Why is it that I'm not done playing with these fabrics and colors yet? I'm really not sure. I worked with them in the Flowering Snowball quilt and also the Muddy Creek quilt, eliminating some fabrics and including others. There is something in my brain that thinks it's trying to figure something out. I just know it. No doubt when I'm done, there will be another color combination I'm fixated on and then you can shake your head and think 'that woman, she is a odd duck'. Or whatever it is that goes through your mind at these particular moments in observing human behavior....
Trying to get the fabric combinations figured out
With this quilt I have also been having a lot of thoughts about the process of working with 'scrappy' fabrics. For instance, in the first round of placing the smallest circles on top of the middle circles, I went very quickly, placing circles almost as I came to them in the stack. Occasionally I winced and skipped a circle or two because of an uncertain color/print combination, but mostly, I just refused to be over-picky about the process. In the last round {placing the top two sewn circles on top of the largest bottom circles}, I spent an hour and a half deliberating. What? I know, It made me stop and think too. Why was it completely unimportant the first round and now, so very much a big deal?

Well, first of all, the initial pull of fabric was a blend and combination that I was very pleased about. The fabrics are not exactly interchangeable, but they definitely 'work' well together. That made it easy to put two fabrics together. But when I added a third fabric {the largest bottom circle} to the mix, THEN I had fabrics vying for attention, competing in a totally distracting way, instead of the pleasant, make-my-heart-sing way. There's a difference! So I took my time and I tried to put fabrics and colors together so that they compliment each other in a way that looks lovely to me. And yes, you know me. I also made sure they weren't matchy-matchy or so 'precious' that I had to go running to cut more.

Anyway, I'm having a great time appliqueing this fabrics together and imagining the quilt they might make some day. I have a lot more thoughts about putting together scrappy quilts that I'd like to share with you. Maybe after the holiday? Right now I better get moving and shaking on preparing the food for our extended holiday dinner. For some reason people really like to eat during this time of year.*wink

17 comments:

  1. I've been working on a scrap quilt all this week that I think is adorable. I showed it to my DIL and she was less than enthusiastic. It doesn't matter. It just has to look good to me, not everyone else. I like the combinations you have come up with.

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  2. love your circles - I have to go shopping for our Christmas dinner - I guess I better decide what we are eating first!!

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  3. I like what you're doing, and all your fabrics. In my life, when I hit that much resistance, it's a sign that I'm going the wrong way. But, it sounds like you worked it out!

    Don't forget to take a break once in a while!

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  4. I love playing with fabrics. Moving things around until I am happy with the combination. Looks like your circles would be fun.

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  5. I am not such a fan of choosing fabrics, and spend way too much sewing time thinking and reconsidering combinations. But hey, if it makes you happy, who cares. I love circles too.....orange peels as well. I think the love of an applique project is at play here too.

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  6. From what I read I don't think everyone even agrees on the definition of "scrappy". Now if I was doing your bull's eyes I'd just randomly place circle upon circle and not give it much thought (because I don't like to think much when I quilt...I do that all day at work). I wouldn't give it much thought because even tho' I would not be consciously thinking it I'd figure if they are all going to be in the same quilt then what difference does it make if they are on top of each other or next to each other if they are going to all be happily living in the same quilt. I enjoy reading other people's thought processes and definitions of scrappy.

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  7. I think I tend to overthink my scrappy fabric choices. I also forget to watch the value of fabrics so they don’t all blend together from a distance. At the moment I am trying to convince myself it is alright to combine reproduction fabrics with the new lines in a reproduction quilt.

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  8. The colors are pretty....I have a big eater coming home for Christmas later this afternoon! :) Oldest son home for a week ! :)

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  9. The whole fabric selection process is my favorite part of quilting. I like what you have going on here with these colors. I made a bulls-eye quilt years ago with unfinished edges so they fray after washing (looks like the same pattern/process?), but I think it will look nicer when appliqued.
    Can't wait to get back in my sewing room after the holidays!

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  10. "Odd duck"........lol, or just slightly quackers.....sorry bad pun there! I would LOVE you to share your ideas on scrappy quilting. I have discovered over the years that quilts made from a co ordinated line of fabric were just too matchy matchy for me. I personally am drawn to the quilts that are just a little "bit off". I think too perfect and it becomes bland. Think about the highest paid supermodels, they have that little imperfection that enables them to stand out amongst "pretty" women. Anyway back on track...scraps quilts and selection of fabrics, yes please. Have a great Christmas to you and your family.

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  11. Love the colors and value of your bulleye blocks. I tend to be a bit picky when sewing strips together. I make a lot of string blocks. I do have a bulleye quilt in progress. Perhaps I will dig it out after the first of the year and finish sewing the blocks. Merry
    Christmas to you and your family!

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  12. I have an older raw edge bullseye quilt that I use almost every night in the basement. Your colors and applique are going to make a beautiful quilt!

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  13. Your circles look very nice, I am eager to see the finished result. Merry Christmas Audrey!

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  14. These look like fun! Merry Christmas Audrey!

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  15. My daughter made a scrappy Bulls eye. I love them! I can see where one variation is never enough. Fun to play with so many prints and colors. Have a fun holiday! Fill 'em up!!

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  16. I love these rich tones you're working with a lot in your recent quilts. Theyre great winter colours, rich and warm. These bulleyes are just the perfect handsewing to get you through Christmas, in between all the cooking you'll be doing. Merry Christmas to you and your family.

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  17. It really is so much fun to start a new quilt!

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