Tuesday, February 05, 2008

Wonky flimsy

Well! It's been a long time since I posted about anything quilty but I am happy to report that I spent time in the sewing room and accomplished something. Ta-Da! I have my wonky quilt from the Lazy Gal class in one piece!

I did some quick housecleaning yesterday and then went up to sew. On Saturday I had cleaned the sewing room and even rearranged furniture so there was no excuse not to go up there and work. My sewing room is definitely not ideal as I realize everytime I sit down to sew. The sewing machine table is too small, the ironing area is behind some boxes, the cutting table is set so things fall off behind. Even rearranging I ran into problems, but I guess a sewing room is a room of an on again-off again love affair. Stuff in drawers and boxes and baskets that need to be peered through to remember what was put there to begin with.

I kept coming across the hearts that I had been making for Tonya's class here and there in various piles and even other rooms and I thought,

"Gee. It's almost Valentine's Day. A simple Valentine's quilt shouldn't be hard to make with all these hearts already here."

WHAT WAS I THINKING!!! I have to use these hearts in my Wonky quilt and as it is, since the class theme is already about what we love, it is as close to a Valentine Quilt as I need to get this year! Soooo.... Get up there and work on the quilt Tanya! At least get a few more hearts under your belt!

Once the quilt was spread out on the floor and I could see where I needed more hearts my head started spinning and pretty soon I had a house and heart "smoke". I backed myself into a corner at one point since I couldn't figure out how to put my pieces together without sewing around a corner (Basic rule. Start with the smaller pieces first. Do not attempt to put small pieces in after the bigger pieces are made.) I ended up tearing out seams and redoing things, positioning and repositioning and by the time the afternoon rolled around I wasn't about to leave this quilt until it was all in one piece. I finished around 4:00 yesterday.

Hmmm. Why is the top of the quilt 8 centimeters narrower than the bottom of the quilt? With the add and cut away system (very little measuring) it just kept getting bigger. I have sheared off some of the sides at the lower end but it still isn't an exact fit. Now to get some borders on it.

I'll start auditioning fabric sometime this week so you'll see the quilt in this stage a few more times. Does it want solid borders? Pieced borders? More words? And what color(s)? It seems to me that a border is a very important part of a quilt but the end is so near that I tend to throw together simple borders just to be able to have reached a workable goal.

Tetsu found the Wonky quilt on the floor when he was looking for a clean shirt and came downstairs asking,

"Is that a quilt for us? That's my kind of quilt! Lots of color and a mixed-up pattern!" (I wonder if he realizes that mixed-up pattern is actually a bunch of words!) "I claim this one when you get it done!"

That's one of the nicest compliments as I've had in a long time!

27 comments:

Denise (Nour) said...

Wonderful original design! Can't read all the wording yet. Hoping for more pics soon!

anne bebbington said...

I'm not surprised he loves it - I do too - especially the heart smoke - Brilliant!!!

Clare said...

I love it! Does it matter if it's not an exact fit? It's wonky isn't it!!!!

Lazy Gal Tonya said...

It's FANTASTIC!!! you did such an amazing great job, it's incredible. I love the smoke hearts coming out of the chimney. oh and the pets. amazing. And how absolutely sweet of your husband - what a vote of appreciation.

Maybe a dark border? Something to contrast with the lighter middle and hold it in. Maybe a piano key or strippy border - I'd just do them on long strips of paper. With lots of the darker fabrics though and just sprinkles of the lights. Just a thought... I know it's going to look fabulous no matter what - you are sooo talented.

Tracey in CT said...

I knew that you would come up with a fabulous way to pull it all together! It looks great!!! I love the way you used the hearts coming out the chimney of the house...a really wonderful solution!!!

LOVE IT!

The Quilter said...

What a charming quilt! I am blown away by your creativity. It puts all us conscientious-pattern-followers like myself to shame! I wish I could be so inventive. Love it!

CONNIE W said...

Tanya, Glad you're finding time for sewing! Your quilt is amazing and your talent continues to flourish. I love your creativity!

Elaine Adair said...

What fun this one is! Even DH loves it! And he gave you a wonderful compliment.

Laurie Ann said...

Great quilt! Love all the animals and the heart smoke. Tetsu has good taste!

Marilyn R said...

I just love the heart smoke! Tetsu is a smart man - you just can't let this wonderful quilt out of your home!

Quilt Pixie said...

It's turning out wonderfully Tanya! I'm sure a border will set it off beautifully.

Beth said...

I LOVE it! And I'm envious! I want to try Tonya's letter SO badly! I even know what I'm going to make..I'm trying to be a GOOD GIRL..and finish up a few things before I start ANOTHER starter project! HA! I like Tonya's idea about a piano key border. Or maybe a pioneer braid...WTG!

Christine Thresh said...

Tetsu's comment was very nice. Don't you love being appreciated. The quilt (top) is lots of fun.

meggie said...

It is great when you husband loves something you've made. It is wonderful. The smoke hearts are brilliant.

dot said...

What a great quilt. Your work is wonderful. I just love it.

Allie said...

LOVE. THIS. QUILT. Awesome work, Tanya!!!! Love the bible verses,and the house with heart smoke - incredible!

Quilt crazy said...

Who says a wonky quilt has to be even? Only the quilt police would expect it to be the same on both sides! Enjoyed it greatly!! Jeanne

Kathy Wagner said...

It is amazing! No wonder your husband would like to claim it! There is such a lot of work in that quilt...wow!

atet said...

How wonderful that Tetsu claimed it as his own! I agree with him -- it's beautiful. Great job Tanya!

andsewitis Holly said...

Yes, that heart smoke is the best! Wonderful, wonderful quilt. You should be so proud.

kimberlym said...

It's wonderful-I just love the hearts coming out of the chimney!

Quiltdivajulie said...

Congratulations!! You did a marvelous job of fitting everything together... and the compliment from Tetsu had to feel wonderful. LOVE the heart "smoke" !!

Susan said...

Tetsu has good taste. I love it, too! Very appealing.

Shelina said...

This is a wonderful quilt - no wonder Tetsu loves it. It is definitely unique and so creative - no straight line marching blocks here. The heart smoke is a brilliant idea, and does a wonderful job of tying everything all together.
I look forward to seeing what you do for the borders.

cher said...

a most fabulous quilt! and a big hug to Tetsu for being so positive and claiming it...a wonderful compliment!

Rose Marie said...

What a gorgeous pattern and definitly 'one of a kind' and best of all that your DH love it!

Hedgehog said...

This looks amazing, Tanya! I'm so impressed. Love the hearts! I can't wait to get back to both my FISH quilt and my place names quilt after the end of the semester. In the meantime, they are making the walls of my sewing room look bright and cheerful. Just wish I had more time to spend in there right now!