Thursday, March 29, 2018

Exploding a Standard Block Setting



Flower Power Prints
 "Hapi"


The print is a past line named Hapi from Amy Butler. It's been on my design wall for a few weeks while I tried to decide what to do with it. I'm glad I waited.





Check this post for links to past posts about this project.

Doing the Quilting Shuffle 


I originally put it up on point when I made the 16" blocks. Somehow I couldn't shake this setting when I pulled it back out, and up it went again. Maybe this was why it was packed away in the first place. It just didn't do anything for me. But while reading a Sally Collins book called, "Borders, Bindings & Edges," I saw a setting that made just a few changes, but were very dynamic. 



Spin four of the outer, middle blocks, and frame the center. Can you see the secondary pattern emerging of the star? I got excited knowing I could translate that setting to my dilemma.



I had some great fabrics from my stash to work with, and used some other lessons from the book to look at my border fabric again. Wouldn't this make a sweet, narrow border?



Schott Cotton Star


All the fabrics I had used so far were standard quilting cottons. The star needed a color to both help it blend as a secondary design, but also allow it to stand out. It's butted against dark blue-greys and blue-greens. This Schott cotton has a slightly different texture, weight, and sheen than the quilting cottons. To me, it's so rich it glows, but doesn't scream, "Look at me!"


Schott cottons are slightly heavier in texture.



Building the Background


The next fabric addition may surprise you. It did me. I had a stripe in my stash that was really an odd color. It doesn't match the other colors, but it's within two color families I've used. Here you mainly see the pattern. It's pinned up so I can walk by it for a few days before deciding for sure, but I like the value difference. It almost looks grey from a distance.




Loosely painted, narrow stripes




Today I'll sew the rest of the star points and background. No rush to figure it all out right now. You see, I bought new fabric this week to start something totally new for me, and I'm excited to play with it. Why? I hit a milestone this week. My last customer quilt is off the frame, and I'm starting on my own heap now. If you live anywhere nearby, you may have heard me yesterday giving a great big, "Woohoo!" 


Perseverance is the hard work you do after you get tired of doing the hard work you already did. - Newt Gingrich

Amen to that.
Come on, Doxie girls.
Let's go sew.




17 comments:

chrisknits said...

That is a great way to layout those blocks. Such a change it makes to already awesome pieces. I love the border ideas. It will be stunning when done.

Angie in SoCal said...

Loving it! It sometimes makes all the difference to let a project stew for a while in the cabeza.

Glenda said...

Julie I also get that rush when some thing just happens like moving a block, some times by Mistake or having seen some one else’s idea that triggers an idea. That secondary design is going to make this quilt unique. Keep having fun and thinking out side the box. I’m now looking forward to next weeks photos LOL. Cheers Glenda. PS love the blocks you are using.

Susan said...

Definitely a very exciting layout - it will be a spectacular finish!

Alison V. said...

I love your idea for setting this quilt!

Janice Holton said...

I am VERY excited to see where this takes you. I'm curious what you are going to do around the rest of the blocks now that you tipped some of them for this new setting. The block you showed at the top is already stunning and then all the other fabric choices you are adding . . . Oh my goodness it's going to be incredible!

Tammy Hutchinson said...

I really like those blocks and that layout! I recently read an two older quilting books, Circle of Nine and Quilting a Circle of Nine and your layout is similar. I'd like to try it with nine vintage pineapple blocks given to me, but haven't found the right backgrounds-yet! I love your grey background, the stripe might take me awhile!

Tammy Hutchinson said...

Oh darn-looking closer I see the grey IS the stripe! Excuse me!

Kate said...

Love your setting solutions with the unique fabric selection. They work so well. Congrats on finishing off all your customer quilts so now you can finish some of your own.

KaHolly said...

Yes, Yes, YES! It’s fabulous in its new setting! I love that book. Had the opportunity to take it out of the library one time and spent hours pouring through it. Wish I owned it! It’s on my wish list. Nice job, Julie. Can’t wait to see it finished up.

canuckquilter said...

This certainly changed direction! I love where it's headed.

Linda Swanekamp said...

You have moved the quilt along from good to great. Your use of colors are refreshing and invigorating. Thank you for showing the process.

Anja @ Anja Quilts said...

Oh my. What an awesome layout. Well done.

Amira@littlemushroomcap said...

Surely exciting to see the quilt coming together. I lvoe your choice of fabric for the exploding star look and the borders. Have fun completing the quilt!

laughing gas quilts said...

You've turned something predicable into a lovely inspiration. Well done!

Sandy Panagos said...

The Schott cotton did give it a nice texture, but those stripes! Wow. It surprised me, too! I love it. Working on your own quilts is going to be so fun!

Christine Slaughter said...

I really love the new layout and the secondary pattern of the star looks fantastic! I am surprised at the actual colors of the striped fabric. It does look grey from farther away and it looks like it works great! YAY and HAPPY DANCE for being able to tackle your own pile now!