There were a couple fabrics I knew I wanted to try for the alternate blocks. Top left is one, Enchanted. Another was Dorothy, right end of 4th row. At that point I could see I wanted to try some more choices. I even wondered if it should be a variety of prints to fill the spaces instead of just one fabric. I just kept pulling fabrics and pinned them all to the wall.
I don't have enough of this Enchanted if I choose it but it's still available to purchase.
When I added this one I really liked it. I think I would have to put it in several of the spots to see if a lot of it would work.
I also like the spools, in the 5th row.
I could also try yellow prints instead of red.
What do you think?
So, the rest of the day was deciding which quilt is next to send to my longarm quilter, and after that, finding a fabric with enough yardage, measuring, cutting, ironing, sewing the seam, trimming off the edge of the selvages in the seam, pressing the seam open.....and then finally trimming off the excess width of the back. Then I cut the batting. And then I did it all over again for a second quilt. 4 hours........so when someone asks "how long did it take to make that?" I'm sure they are imagining all of the pieces of the top already cut and laying in order on my sewing cabinet and the backing and batting magically appearing next to the pieced top and no decisions involved.
18 comments:
Your auditions are such fun to watch, Wanda. This one is a fun challenge!
Anonymous is Marnie Haines
If you work out that "magically appearing" business for the backing and batting do let us know! I find the auditioning, cutting and piecing so fun, and then things stall right at the backing/batting/binding stage.
I love to watch your thought process as a project evolves!
Ceci
I like your thought process too. I also like the way you put blocks aside and circle back to them later. Instead of forcing the issue, like I do, just to get it done. I am going to try that. Thanks
I really like the fabric in the second photo of individual alternate blocks. It does take awhile to get all the big fabric cut right for the backing of a quilt it sure doesn't magically appear the right size does it.
With the relative consistency of the stars (as viewed from a distance on the screen), I like your idea for a variety of reds as the alternates. But if you decide to use just one fabric, my favorite is top row, right hand end (Shaggy, I think). p.s. I am SO with you on that final paragraph about backing, decisions, prep for quilting, and how much time, energy, brain power it takes.
I like the idea of one or two alternating prints...I also like
just "shaggy" [top row R] for a single one...
26 this morning, but rising nicely--34 now at 10 am; DH took me to grocery as I cannot be lifting with my sore hands.
I figured out that a new insulated cup I bought, with a difficult to remove top, is how I really strained my R hand!! I kept iced water in there to encourage drinking more water each day--s i g h ...
So will be on a break for as long as it takes to heal...hugs, Julierose
Love the idea of more than one print for the squares so that each one complements the grouping around it just right.
Thank you so much for your blog! It is inspiring to watch someone doing what they love and making the most of their time. And I appreciate you sharing that the batting, the backing, the binding are not your favorite bits. That keeps you "real," as the kiddos say today. ;-)
Oh gosh Wanda anyone that sews should be able to see the hours you put into each and every quilt !
Fabrics to work with, designing, measuring, cutting, stitching and then the batting, backing and binding. Truly hours upon hours.
I know many quilters here in the valley and your speed of creating awesome quilts out does them all. Although ~ Your daily blog does make it look magical !
I like the florals best with your stars… they compliment the best in my opinion. And I look forward to see what you decide.
JJM
I like the multiple reds, though I think with multiple reds, the viewer might not notice as much the variation in the pieced blocks. If only one red, I like the simpler one in the 5th row. I'd also be curious to see yellow prints for the alternating blocks.
I think it would be really great with a variety of prints. And, I see spiral shells in some blocks. That's such a gorgeous fabric. Would love to see how that looks as the solid blocks.
I like Enchanted, the fabric on the right end of the top row, and the spools as there seems to be minimal interruption of jubilant reds/pinks/oranges in those fabrics. The fabric in the last photo has too much irregular contrast from the light blossoms that will likely yell ME, ME, ME from the quilt top.
Love your description of the process of making the 'what next' and 'this fabric?' decisions we all make if we're making a unique one-of-a-kind-on-the-planet quilt as you do. I suppose people who buy quilt kits and adhere to those fabrics and the prescribed block layout don't think about these things. I find that sad.
Hugs!
Loving your star blocks. And I find it so interesting reading your posts, a little insight into your processes & decision making... look forward to seeing where you end up with the alternate blocks. And yes, the backing- batting- binding parts are often very time consuming, magic/batteries not included!
I really like the fabric highligihted in the last photo. This will be pretty whatever choice you make.
Your star blocks are beauties, I shall be waiting to see where you go with your choice of alternate blocks. Your idea of using a variety of prints and you have a good selection of fabrics auditioned. If you decided to go with just one consistent fabric then I would go with the lotus leaf - I'm biased because it really is a favourite design of mine. It does pick up all the mix of colour in your stars.
Late to the comment party -- my .02 Enchanted or Spools. The lily pad print has too much white. The oranges and the one on the end of the row with oranges have distracting green. BTW, did you use your die cutter or Deb Tucker's Lemoyne Star ruler, or another method to make the blocks?
I like the idea of using several different prints for the alternate blocks. These red floral fabrics are beautiful for alternate blocks. Your fabric combinations in the stars are so nice! You do so much of your own quilting. How do you decide which quilts will be finished by someone else?
I like the spools fabric because it is a darker print that has nice contrast with the light parts of the star blocks and is a smaller print which balances out the bigger prints in the star blocks. Now it could look completely different to me in person but that’s what I get on screen. Sounds like you are going to get a few more of the bigger tos completely finished in the next couple months. Woohoo! I agree, some do not understand the time it takes.
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