Thursday, June 11, 2015

When to Ask for Help



Still hot off the ironing board!

I believe I write as often about struggling with projects as giving Pink Doxie readers help. Quilter bloggers don't wake up one day full of knowledge, and able to share expert tips and tutorials. We spend hours sewing, and figuring things out. I think I'm the Queen of Mistakes, but it's actually a quick way to learn if you aren't afraid. Sewing technique is more basic for me, while playing with design gets me really excited, and occassionally in over my head. I'm not shy to ask for help, and fellow bloggers are usually happy to help out. Thank you.



This was the real thing last night. No glamour shots here! This is how it looks when I'm trying to figure out if the whole idea is coming together or falling apart. I was more in the 'It's not working' camp earlier when I looked over just the blocks. Arranging them on the wall in as close to position as I could, it looked a little better. The additional fabrics are picks for the next blocks I'll make. I have the pattern turned below to reflect the design wall.


Solids aren't my first choice when I can use a print, and I thought this quilt would be fun to make in prints. I chose to use colors as close as possible to Moda's suggestion, but in a print that was mainly that one color. So a print that comes off as more a solid. I also decided it would be a stash only quilt, and I might have to modify my rules to make it work. That was the case in the large block where I used my Cotton+Steel kitties, and I'm running into more as I pull fabric for the next blocks. 

My biggest concern was whether the colors were all working together, but that may be more an issue with the mulit-colored pattern itself. You can see the how difficult it is to eye the chosen fabrics, and decide if they work. Today I made the top block, and the next two below. 



I'm more secure that it will work as I move on using additional colors. I've started with large blocks, and moved to medium next. The medium blocks are providing color across the spectrum to balance the large blocks with the slightly odd, unrelated colors. I'll plug away at this today, and hope to have it done by the end of the weekend to show you. Next week is going to be a doosey for new projects! (I have a BIG secret!)


The colors are given in Bella Solids, and I looked for a correspondence chart between Moda and Kona. I ran into Walnut Street Quilts blog, and a treasure trove of information about pressing, some errata to the cutting dimensions, and Moda to Kona colors! If you're making this pattern, she's your go-to resource. I'm so thankful to Patty for sharing so much solid information.

 Another thing that should be mentioned is there are no written directions in the pattern. There are diagrams for cutting and sewing order. You need to have some idea of how to do HST, Flying Geese, trimming up, and so on. A big help would have been the measurement of each finished section so it could be trimmed before sewing it to the next, but there is none. 



Heads Up: Mary at Strip Quilts has a sweet Giveaway for a table runner kit that runs until June 15th. This blog is a good visual resource for ideas using pre-cuts. It's easy to join, so check it out.

15 comments:

Terri Ann @ ChildlikeFascination.com said...

I think your building blocks is coming along wonderfully! Stick with it and I think you'll find you prints that translate as solids will work out just fine. If you're not doubting yourself along the way then you're not challenging yourself to do something different so that doubt is a good thing. You got this :)

Tish Stemple said...

Let me start off by saying I'm in love with what you have done so far. I bought this pattern when it became available but have never done anything with it. My vision was like yours and to not use solids, I just was not brave enough to start it. I think the colors and fabric prints you have chosen just add something to it. I cannot wait to see where you go next with this.

Yvonne from Quilting Jetgirl said...

I think it is a great idea to use the pattern with fabrics you love - the prints you are using are going to be a really nice re-interpretation of the pattern. Another blogging friend recent went through this pattern and had issues with Blocks 7 and 8 and her solution is posted here: http://www.quiltineering.com/modern-building-blocks-quilt-7-8/

Shauna said...

I'm like you, I prefer patterns, and I think what you're doing is wonderful. I love the patterns you've chosen, you can still see pattern, but not so much that they over take the block.

Unknown said...

Hi Julie! I like your fabric choices. The prints are great and give your blocks more pizzaz than the solids. Thank you, too, for the "shout out" today.
Patty @ Walnut Street Quilts

Jinger said...

Lovely work Julie, your blocks look great! Thanks for the heads up about the lack of directions, I'm already dealing with that on my current project and had to ask for help last night on my blog.

Ramona said...

Your blocks are looking great. I really like your fabric choices as I am not a solids person, either. Looking forward to watching your progress.

Kate said...

This is a great post...one that I think EVERYONE can relate to. We have all experienced those frustrations at one point or another.

Sandra Walker said...

I'm rather surprised that there are so many issues with a pattern from Moda! Maybe they didn't test it?? With so many bloggers out there willing to test patterns, they missed the boat. It's good to read some honest critiquing here. I made a similar block of the month quilt many years ago, and I like how all the different sized blocks fit together! It had a 2-colour theme to it with neutral background and some black. This one is pretty noisy! Your prints are working out beautifully.

cassandra said...

Love how you are being brave and bold to make it your own! Can't wait to see your progress.

Ruth said...

I think when you add more to it you will see where you need to make colour changes to suit your style -keep going!

Julie said...

We do! It's a question of whether or not you ask for help, or roll it up and stick it in your closet. Doing things that are out of our comfort zone helps us realize we are better equipped to handle the tough stuff than we thought, and I honestly believe it all translates over to our 'real life'. I'm far more open to putting stuff out there for open opinions than I ever was before quilting.

Debra said...

They look great so far! It looks like the colors are all the same tone (amount of black) and go together. Nothing too white or too bright. I think you are off to a great start! BTW - I hate when patterns don't give complete instructions and assumes the user is experienced enough to figure it out. You can't assume everyone knows how to do each type of piecing. Good luck!

Cathy said...

I think it's looking great! I love your fabric choices and the layout is gorgeous. Can't wait to see the finish.

Linda @ kokaquilts said...

I like what you have done so far, your fabric choices seem far softer than the original version. I too have made this & followed the original bright 'lego' colour scheme & substituted AMH fabrics in some places. However, I ended up downsizing the whole quilt as I wasn't happy with how it was going... I just didn't love those big blocks, they seemed out of proportion! Good luck!