Monday, May 24, 2010

The Evolution of Something Quilty

I've been referring to this quilting project as my Mystery Quilt , because I just didn't know what it would  look like when it was finished. That's what happens when you use 29 different fabrics with about 2345 possible combinations and a plethora of cutting and sewing back together.   I just went with it. I also want to proudly point out I did not stress out about my circles and blocks not matching up perfectly during the sewing-back-together -process- which is another first. Little Miss Virgo usually likes everything perfect. My Sagittarian ascendant was clearly in full flight during the making of this quilt.


In my first unveiling of this quilt (above) I asked for opinions about what to do with it- because it  looked so busy with circles against the squares when I laid it out. Thanks Lane and lw for pointing out  that if I cut these circles into halves I would end up  with ovals  - because seriously that thought had never occurred to me-duh. That's what happens when you're just focusing on the end product.

Elizabeth's advice was to "Go Big or Go Home" (I love that ) I decided to Go Big  - circles into quarters sewn back together randomly. I ended up with 324  bits which was initially  as  scary as h***. Then the Sagittarius chick kicked in and it came together because I kept telling myself this was an experiment and it was only fabric.  I didn't think once about how much trouble I could get into with that many quilt bits to sew back together, so  last weekend those 324 bits became 81 bits without giving me further ulcers. So far so good.





This past weekend with a lot of sewing those  81 bits transformed into a respectable looking quilt top. I'm not saying there arent mistakes in it. (There are - I need to go back and fix a couple) but my attitude is C'est  la vie. Repeat after me. Experiment. Just fabric.


I think this one will live on the chair I'm stripping for my dining room (as suggested by Annie ) In a black and white kitchen this will add some much needed colour!




And since I set a personal goal for a specific number of quilts this year - I need to spend less time blogging and more time sewing if I'm going to meet that goal...sigh.

26 comments:

  1. OMG they look so fabulous. Boy you should be patting yourself on the back with the finished results of those. The one you are going to put in the kitchen is certainly going to look amazing with black and white. You go girl.
    hugs Deb

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  2. Wow!!!! It looks fabulous. I love the last pic, with it draped artfully over the chair. Congratulations, well done. I love it!
    PS You are not the only one with exclamation mark issues!

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  3. That is just so cool! Love all the colors against black & white.

    "Experiment. Just fabric." Words I needed to hear, and repeat.

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  4. Wohoo! I got a mention on TWO blogs other than my own today. Well, technically it is tomorrow there, but still! I'm totally famous!

    I absolutely love how that turned out! You rock! "Go big or go home" was definitely the way to go with this quilt. When you're ready to bind it, give me a call and I'll come over and help you with the continuous bias binding. It will definitely make you hate binding less, particularly if you use stripes :D.

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  5. Let's just say Gorgeous - Love the way the colours come together in this one - certainly will brighten any corner of your world.

    Enjoy

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  6. You have outdone yourself! This quilt is beautiful, just like you!

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  7. That quilt is phenomenal! What a remarkable job. I envy the patience it takes to do something like that. I really love the design and colors. Leave the mistakes. That's what makes it 'hand made'. It really is just beautiful. Thanks for stopping by. Now go and treat yourself to a SIMPLE project by putting that old window frame on the window sill! LOL You cant get much simpler than that.
    Have a great day.
    Lisa

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  8. Wow! That's simply AWESOME!

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  9. love it! You should be very proud Mrs. P!
    Can't wait to see it in the new kitchen.

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  10. Love it. Hmm.... back to the blogging/sewing conundrum. Got to go (sew)

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  11. I LOVE it!!!!! (Very Jealous)

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  12. After my pitiful attempt at curved seams I'm totally impressed at what you've achieved there. Its lovely.

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  13. Wow! Love the colors-- and it looks amazing with the black and white!

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  14. Hooray, a completed top! Clap, clap, clap, etc. Seriously fun and energetic. Can't wait to see how it looks all quilted and washed, hanging over the chair in your completed kitchen, for they should both get done at about the same time, right? Good work, lady, your sewing machine is HOT right now.

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  15. Now there's a quilt you'll never get tired of. Just refold it and it will look totally diff. Love it and glad I could help in my own small way. Lane

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  16. That is gorgeous! Is that my hostess gift? Since you're never planning on leaving and such.
    It's funny, but I had to get over the "it's just yarn" phase in my knitting and it really threw me into the next level. It must be a step needed in every craft?
    You did beautifully.

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  17. wow....looking good! Love the last pic with the quilt on the chair....I find it hard to go scrappy ....and I am a Sagittarius......! love the "go big or go home" quote....well done...you are on fire GF!

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  18. what a transformation! Great job!! Love the circles!

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  19. Thank you everyone for your lovely comments. I am really pleased with how this quilt turned out. I can't wait for it to be finished and living in my dining room.

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  20. I love it! I am a quintessential Capricorn so I understand the driving need for perfection but I, like you, have found some freedom in permitting myself NOT to be perfect in my quilting. Most of the time it works very well, then, others, it backfires on me. (Post coming on that later.lol)

    Your quilt, FABULOUS darling! :)

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  21. Totally fantabulous! I could look at that quilt forever. (I'm a Capricorn, but I think my Cancer moon rules my quilting. Go figure.)

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  22. What can I say....it blows me away!!

    That is a seriously beautiful quilt and I am glad miss Virgo got the boot cause as a miss Libra I know how annoying she can be. That is truely a family heirloom to treasure...well done :-)

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  23. PS Are the edges of the circles hemmed or a raw edge (I don't know the technical wordies for that!) My husband just had a look and his comment was 'its a rug it doesn't have to be perfect'....not quite the words you wanted to hear but his sentiment was right...he also said it was spectacular :-)

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  24. Ohhh...me likey! Both versions are great, but the chopped up one is much racy-er! :) I'm definitely putting that design into my "todo" list!

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