Saturday, January 25, 2014

Time To Go Shopping...

I've been continuing to plug away on my Summer Meadows quilt (aka Jersey Girl).  Although I really shouldn't phrase it that way, because I have SO enjoyed working on this one.  Perhaps I'm still so relaxed from my vacation last week, but I'm having fun with every step.  There's something so nice about seeing a stack of sewn and pressed fabric.


I've had to stop along the way several times to make design decisions.  Did I want to go with a completely scrappy Bear's Paw block or controlled scrappy?


I was having trouble even spotting the block on the right, so it was easy to decide to go for partially scrappy.  And since all the HST's are the same in each block, I went ahead and pieced those sections before adding the 4-patches.  There was a lot of chain piecing this way rather than assembling each block individually.


It took no time at all to finish 16 blocks.  I laid them out so I could get an idea of how the quilt was going to look.


I'll be honest here and admit that I don't love it.  I think it's a little too busy for me.  However, I've been here before and then fallen in love with the finished quilt.  Hopefully that's what happens this time.  In any case, I'm having so much fun with the process, it doesn't really matter.  If I don't care for the end result, I can always give it away!

It was at this point, I started thinking about alternative layouts.  What if I used the extra HST's to border these blocks?


Nope.  It doesn't really add anything to it.  So how about making the border wider with a strip of squares?


Definitely NOT!  That's much worse.  In the end, I decided Carrie had the right idea and I followed her layout.  I've now finished making all 36 blocks.


Now for a real dilemma.  I was sure that when I got to this point, I'd be able to find something in my stash to use for the sashing and border.  I was wrong.  I have absolutely nothing that would work.  So I'm being 'forced' to head out to the quilt stores in search of fabric.  (Don't you feel bad for me?)  I hope I find something quickly though, because I'm still optimistic that I can finish this and quilt it in time for the parade.

Finally, here's the requisite picture of my sewing helper.  Jack managed to steal Sam's pillow one afternoon while I was working on my blocks.



Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the Lord. 
Psalm 119:1 (NLT)

7 comments:

  1. Surprised I didn't run into you at Wish today. It was an absolute "madhouse" there. I stood on the cutting line alone for 1/2 hr. Everyone was having such a fun time and it was nice to chat with others about their ongoing projects and UFO's. A nice outing to support our local quilt shops! Hope you found something to suit this little quilt.

    ReplyDelete
  2. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I think it is looking great, and I agree with your opinion on the alternate borders. I hope you found something "just right" for the sashing and border!

    ReplyDelete
  4. It does look great. I looked around a little bit and saw your sewing room, it's absolutely fantastic! I'd never leave the room if I had one like that! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  5. At my house those laid out block would have been all over the room or would have had a cat on top of them.
    Too bad you had to go shopping!

    ReplyDelete
  6. The blocks are so colorful I bet they will grow on you after a while.

    ReplyDelete