Thursday, April 24, 2008

Unproductive

Hmmm. My quilting output hasn't been doing so well. Things don't always go as we'd like and that is true of life as well as quilting. For one. I have put away my feathered star quilt blocks. I think my last words about this quilt were "Hoping I can get this to flimsy stage this week." but not only didn't I do that, I've decided I don't like the way the quilt is turning out. I laid out ALL the blocks and came to the conclusion that the sashings are too bright. All you see is the sashing! I think they kill the blocks. I'd hate to finish that quilt and not like it (though that sometimes happens too) so I'm putting everything away and maybe when I'm in the States I'll find some softer blue for this quilt.

I guess I don't know how to buy fabric online because though I have ordered fabric two or three times, I realize that most of my ordered fabric is still sitting in my drawers unused. I can't find a way to use them and this time it was especially obvious that what I had thought was going to be a wonderful blend of color was way off base. It's no fault of the website. They showed the true colors of the fabric and I chose them but all together? Nope. And this is true of most everything else I've ordered... they just don't fit with what I want to make (or I've not ordered enough). So disappointing. I'm sure my sashing and corner blocks will be usable in a future quilt (note to myself: make 12 BRIGHT 15" blocks) so not all is lost! My poor feathered star quilt!

Then today I went to my patchwork group's gathering to work on the bazaar quilt and we spent a lot of time placing all the blocks we'd made into some order. Some of us sewed squares the whole time and then we put one corner of the quilt together with the checkered sashing. Nope. We didn't really like it! All that work! This is just too busy! So I've brought it home and will take it apart tomorrow and my friends will be making some vine applique which we hope will be more suitable than the flying geese block in there.

Why is it that some things go together effortlessly and some are a constant battle?

I guess I'll go cut some more squares. I probably can't go too wrong there.

10 comments:

Quilt Pixie said...

hugs. So much "unsewing" sounds very depressing. Know that the final product will sing because you took the time and care now....

Nancy said...

Your feathered star blocks are so exquisite that the sashing stifles them. I would use less bright and less busy sashing.

n, np

Elaine Adair said...

I'm liking it more and more, just the way it is ... I know, I changed my mind. You know, THIS IS THE QUILTING CHALLENGE! Making do with what you have ... if you put a lot of quilting in the too bright places, that would tone them down. I HATE to think of you stashing it away 'for another day' that might never come!

Elaine Adair said...

I'm liking it more and more, just the way it is ... I know, I changed my mind. You know, THIS IS THE QUILTING CHALLENGE! Making do with what you have ... if you put a lot of quilting in the too bright places, that would tone them down. I HATE to think of you stashing it away 'for another day' that might never come!

anne bebbington said...

You know Tanya - you're right the blue makes all the finer points of those stars pale into insignificance, as lovely as the fabric is it just is too self opinionated for this quilt. You've put in so much hard work on the blocks you're right to find just the thing for the sashings

Shelina said...

I think your feathered star quilt is beautiful as is, but I can see why you would want more attention to be drawn towards those exquisite blocks. The decision you made is progress so technically you haven't been unproductive at all. Same with the block arrangements. Many inventors say that each time you fail, you then know what doesn't work. It all brings you closer to the goal.

The Calico Quilter said...

Maybe I'm in the minority but I like the blue. The stars become snowflakes and the icy blue says "winter" to me. I can understand you wanting those fabulous feathered star blocks to be the standout, but their colors are rather subtle and a more subdued sashing might make the whole quilt too "quiet".

BTW, I love the sampler blocks. Did you do the lovely rose applique?

The Calico Quilter said...

This comment has been removed by the author.

Mary said...

I like the blue too Tanya, it is bright but when the quilt popped up on my screen my first thought was that I love it! But then I also love the flying geese in the 2nd quilt.

Marilyn R said...

The quilter has to be the one that is happy with the quilt. If the color is too bright for you then it is too bright. If you don't love the quilt at the top stage then you won't love the finished quilt either. Wait until you are happy with your choices then go for it!