Tuesday, September 26, 2017

The Use Your Words Improv. Quilt

I had grand plans to have this particular quilt top all sewn up, or at very least, the basic outline. Oh no, These letters take much, much longer than you would think. They aren't difficult, but wowsers do they burn up the time!
A rough layout
But maybe that's just me. I do seem to have a love/hate relationship with them. They are so simple and logical to figure out. Really, it's like a puzzle! Which is all very interesting. Until it just isn't fun any more. And that's when the tedium sets in.*ughh.....
Using a quote by Saul Bass

I was very disciplined this afternoon {knowing this was my window to make real forward progress}, not even leaving the upstairs quilting area for another cold drink when the first disappeared. Our air conditioner has been switched off and the afternoon heat was making me positively drip! There was a pre-determined stopping point in mind and finally.... finally... we got there.
Trying to make them all 5" tall
All along, I was trying to incorporate this part of a quote by Saul Bass 'I just want to make beautiful things even if nobody cares'. If I was going to make a quilt about 'using your words' as the base inspiration for making a quilt, well then, it had to be relevant to my world at the moment. Honestly, I'm not the least bit interested in making anything political, sappy or even too terribly introspective right at the moment. Quilting is my happy place and there it shall stay.*wink  {And please don't comment about anything political because I promise you, I will not respond!}

Although I've had a rough idea of where and how these words were going to play in the entire scheme of things, I wasn't sure just how many words would be needed to fill the front of the quilt--if this part of the quote would be enough? So I made a few extra words of my own, which will probably end up on the back of the quilt. There might even be more words, because I just can't resist. See? There is a strong push/pull in sewing more of these words that makes me laugh. Love 'em, hate 'em!
Joining the letters to make blocks of the words
I can tell there needs to be other colors added into the border, perhaps in a piecing effort. Things have gotten a bit stagnant with all this gold and brown, but those two fabrics were what seemed to work best making the words clearly stand out. Plus, I had lots of that gold fabric leftover from an older quilt top and yeah... those wheels. They sort of limited my color choices. Oh well! I can't imagine this quilt without them and it's always a thrill to use up orphan blocks!
Auditioning border colors
Overall, this quilt feels like a 'squirrel' sort of quilt. Definitely taking me off in a direction that I didn't see coming. Regardless, it has been a great challenge, making me think, instigating a decided push to get into the 'Word Play' book and start figuring it out! {Loving my applique style, I may be the very last quilter on earth who has.} 

I had forgotten how much I enjoy these style of quilts--the ones where you start with a specific element, add in a ringer {how bout using up those orphan blocks?} and then see what in the world you end up with. Still lots left to do with getting those word rows filled in with more of that gold fabric, sewing rows together and then working toward a set border plan. In the meantime, I have been hand quilting up a storm in the evenings! Never a dull minute.

Linking up with Anne and Kaja for AHIQ25, and also with Linda and Julie for sew, stitch, snap, SHARE!  Thanks ladies, for taking the time to host the linkups. As always, it's some of the best motivation to keep projects rolling forward!




25 comments:

  1. Who'd have thought yellow and brown would make such a great combination. They sound so 50s and look so good. As you wrote, they show off the words wonderfully and complement your wheels. It's such a happy quilt.
    I enjoyed making words and have yet to see the Word Play book although I've heard of it. I agree they are fun and then become tedious. It did help to stop at a certain time and pick it up again the next day. The way you moved the letters around within each word is so attractive. Lively. Perfect for this quilt
    Great quote, too. Funny, a bit defiant, definitely standing "on our little flat feet" and stating the obvious.
    Thanks for linking another thoughtful post with AHIQ and for trying the word with me.

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  2. WONDERFUL! I adore the squirrel type projects the most.

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  3. I've never been into the letter quilts but wonderful that you make them - unique to say the least - quilting is my happy place too - too much stress in the world - have to quilt to be happy!!

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  4. I love this! Your "orphan" wheels look fantastic and the quote is exactly how I feel - often! Love the yellow plus blocks too.

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  5. Love what you're doing with the "orphan" blocks and the words. Who would have guessed brown letters on gold background would look so good with pink wheel blocks? Can't wait to see the finish. LOVE it!

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  6. I like what you are doing here, a great way to use up orphan blocks and try new blocks too.
    Looking forward to seeing it all finished. Thanks for linking to Sew, Stitch, Snap, SHARE.

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  7. You go girl! I admire everything you do quiltwise......it's your work, your process, your creation.....it's yours and that is all the world needs to know. Celebrate and enjoy.

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  8. Fantastic! Because my grandson has autism, "use your words" is something we say a lot in our house! You give the statement an entirely fun meaning. I am totally convinced that I was put on this earth to create something beautiful. I think that is why we are constantly thinking about "the next" quilt as we are working on the present one! I love everything about this quilt!

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  9. I did a retirement lap quilt for my musician husband and appliqued "Dig, Man Bop, Gig" on it as he plays in jazz groups...it was a big hit (groan, couldn't resist!!lol). Since tha time (17 yrs ago)I have never done words on quilts...just cannot get into them...
    But, I must say, I like your quote choice, as I think many of us feel like that--hugs, Julierose

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  10. Ooh yes, this really works! Your quote is fantastic, I like your letters a lot and then you add in the orphan blocks and suddenly the sum is greater than the parts.

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  11. Love your words, love your quilt, love your work!
    I've got the Word Play book, and I intend to play with it soon. Well, as soon as I can think of something short and pithy to make letters for. (I'm thinking I'm more likely to finish if I start small...)

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  12. What a delightful quote? I like how you have put the orphan blocks in to add interest. I hope to someday come up with an improve quilt that isn't reminiscent of someone else's previously produced pattern. We are such copy-cats in the quilt world - Ha!

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  13. Love your orphan blocks teamed up in this quilt! I've not tried using words on a quilt yet, you make it look so interesting the way the letters jump around a bit!

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  14. Fun quilt! Love the words and the use of gorgeous orphan blocks is a big bonus!

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  15. I think this is a great piece! I love the quote and the shape of your letters. Your orphan blocks are really cool, too. How do you do that? My orphans are really wimpy and plain...

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  16. What a wonderful quote! I can't imagine designing those letters and getting them to all be the same size. The words and the orphan blocks combined to express your style and happy place.

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  17. Wow, your words are great and just how I feel with my quilting. Always wanting to make something beautiful - even since I was a small child. Sometimes you just have to do it even if no one cares but you because it is who you are!! Great inspiration!

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  18. Ooo, how beautiful!! It all goes together perfectly! Those scary round blogs are done to perfection. I CARE!!

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  19. I was wondering how you could add words to an already spectacular quilt. Lovely quote I had never heard before.

    I used that book to add words to a couple of quilts and you are right...takes a LOT of time. Your time was well spent. Keep on making!!! I care!

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  20. absolutely love this Audrey - the words are fabulous, love those wheels, and that black(?) and pink for the border just pop !! just awesome x

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  21. Wonderful, Audrey! I absolutely love this quote. It's so worth all the effort with the letters. Love the way you're using your orphan blocks too. A really exciting quilt is in the works!

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  22. This is fabulous! I love making letter blocks and enjoy the process of quiltmaking that you describe with this project!

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  23. Very good post. I certainly love this website. Keep writing!

    potaup

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