Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Graphic Patchwork and Comments Always Appreciated




My last post, The Lowly Nine Patch Goes Mod
was about cutting into my Allison Glass 
FQ bundle. I had taken most of the bundle 
plus half a dozen Kona solids, and made 
patch blocks with them. They're bright, 
little wild, and this is a quilt I'd love to have.
These square were first intended to go
into that quilt, but it became too busy.
So I separated them into 2 quilts.

I had finally decided on this grey background,
and was headed for bed when I got a couple 
comments on my email about the grey. I laid 
there thinking, "Maybe they're right." I couldn't 
go over to check it out either. It was the middle 
of the night! One drawback of not being in the 
downstairs any longer.

This morning I looked at it with fresh eyes,
then packed it up to get some other folks'
opinions. We tried lighter backgrounds,
and they were okay, but they weren't 
powerful. I texted friends for their take 
on it. I looked at some of the sites that the 
posters suggested, but I hesitated because this 
was supposed to be a quickie quilt. I didn't 
want to put that much extra time into a quilt I 
intended to sell. There is a line where all the 
extra time spent cutting, piecing and sewing will 
eat up even more than you can recoup. So I went 
back to my original Plan A you see above.

I still like it the best.

I just want you all to know that I value your
opinions when you give them, and I consider
them seriously because I think it helps 
me grow as a quilter--even if it doesn't
change my mind in the end. So, thank you,
and feel welcome to keep leaving me advice
and suggestions. I'm never offended.

After that little top was sewn up, I pulled
out the triangle quilt from my UFO pile. I've
been SO frustrated with this hot mess. I
tried redoing the backing and batting twice
already, and it was still a wreck.

I started by tearing the whole thing apart
--again. I squared the backing first, then
 I trimmed the side of the backing adding 
it to the top to give it more length. FMQ 
will take up backing, and I was pushing it here. 
I steamed it with a vertical iron because 
it was still sticky with 505, and taped it to my
ping pong table. Then I laid the top on it with
the batting which was also still sticky with 505.
I recalled how Late Night Quilter had posted
a tutorial on how to use your long ruler to
smooth out backing, but I think that was 
without 505. I will tell you it worked like
magic, even with all the stickiness! My hero!
Just lift, smooth, and reset. Check the back,
and repeat until it looks good.



It took several tries before I had things smooth
enough to satisfy me, and then I just used
regular large safey pins to pin it together. To 
save my table surface, I slid my rotary cutter 
mat underneath the area I was working with.



The wind has been howling today, so I put
on some low music, and quilted away. This quilt
reminds me of ocean water, so I did waves.



I didn't have the exact color of thread I
might have chosen if I had shopped for it,
but this pale blue was fine. It's the first
time I've quilted with Iris Ultra.


It shows up pretty next to the teal backing.
I hope to have it all done for a Friday
Finish to show you.


Last week we started a new blog hop
called Creative Space Tag. I tagged
Maryse at Maryse Makes Things, and 
she's on the ball! Pop in to see the
bright and beautiful room she works in.

Do you want to be involved in our 
creative space hop? It doesn't matter
if you work in your kitchen, your
bedroom... darn, I know someone 
who relocates to a porch when the
weather warms up. 

Be proud of it! 

Show us how you make it work 
for you, and inspire those people who 
say they have nowhere to sew. 

Send me an email, and I'll add
you to our growing list. You'll
have advance notice if you need it.

We had a treat from Mother Nature last night.
This rainbow was up close and gorgeous.


Can you see the double
off to the right?



Within a few minutes, this was all that was left.
Glorious color!

Until we visit again~
May all your days feel like they
end with a rainbow.

Come on, Doxie Girls.
Let's go sew.

Linking up with~
My Quilt Infatuation
who also featured me today!
Thank you, Kelly.
Quilty Thankful Thursday
Freshly Pieced
A Quilting Life
Sew Fresh Quilts

12 comments:

  1. Hi Julie! Michelle and I are so happy that the spray basting tip worked for you. I totally know what you mean about valuing friends' opinions. It's important to go through the whole creative thought process before settling on a final solution. Friends are the bests help in this department... and if you end up right where you started, you know you're in the right place. Fortunately, I'm surrounded by good friends who always support me in this, even when I end up not going with their suggestions. It's just all a part of the process!

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  2. Your sentiments are as beautiful as the rainbows. Your FMQ looks great. As long as you love it, that's all that matters. Keep up the great work. Martie

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  3. I personally love the grey. I think it makes the color blocks sparkle. And your triangle quilt is gorgeous!

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  4. I love grey as a neutral, and usually have several shades of Kona grey's on hand for just that purpose. The only time I've had a problem finding a great grey to match was when I made my Kate Spain charm quilt - it was about half warm prints and half cool prints, and a grey that looked good with warm didn't work with the cools! But I found a tiny print that had both warm and cool grey in it, and that worked perfectly! So never be afraid to use colors other than white as neutrals - one of my favorite winter neutrals is Espresso!!

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  5. You have to trust your instincts at the end of it all and the quilting looks great in those photos!

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  6. Love the grey with your Allison Glass prints! Great to be able to get such wonderful input from everyone! I work quickly, get it all up on the design wall and then let it sit for a few days... it's all part of the process! But you are right, for a little quick & easy quilt I tend to just go with gut feelings, the baby will love his/her tummy time! Oh, and your quilting on the triangle quilt is looking great!

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  7. Sometimes a photo does not pick out the colour well and seeing a colour in person can be the only way to make a colour decision. It is amazing how looking at a project the next day works a treat. The print squares really pop with your grey background.

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  8. What a clever idea to split the Allison Glass blocks into two quilts Julie! I think you chose the perfect grey - exactly warm enough and it highlights and compliments the other fabrics very well.

    That triangle quilt is so beautiful! I love the scrappy strips up top, alternating with the solid triangles. The quilting you did is great too.

    It's been years since I've seen a double rainbow - beautiful!

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  9. I think that the grey is beautiful!
    I'd also be checking out that foreman's shack in that last picture, I have a sneaking suspicion there is a pot of gold in there... :P

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  10. Both Allison Glass quilts look fabulous, looks like you pair the perfect gray with the Allison Glass's colorful fabrics, I can't wait to see it completed! :-))

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Thoughtful comments are Honey to My Heart! Thank you for taking time to leave such words. Feel free to email me directly with any specific questions at julie@pinkdoxies.com
Julie
Pink Doxie Mama