Wednesday, March 11, 2015

What? Another WIP??

Helloweee! So I get a text from my number one fan yesterday, "Ya know, it's been like 2 weeks since you've done a blog post...." Really?? :) Who is my number one fan? My nephew. He literally is my number one fan, he was my very first follower. He also provides me with design consultation. He is an engineer. I like wonky. He lets me know if I have taken wonky a little too far! LOL I told him to write up a post and I would let him guest post. . . he thought I was joking. I wasn't. :) So #1 fan, here is your morning reading (you really should be working and not reading this young man!).

I'm going to let the pictures tell most of the story of this WIP . . . ummm, yeah, I started another top. . . What was I thinking?? I don't know, maybe I figured I whip this baby up and then get quilting . . . maybe I was avoiding actually starting to quilt the rose linen. . . maybe. . .

Remember this bundle? It was my first introduction to Oakshott's new ColourShotts.
Aren't they purty?? :)
They were staring at me. . . calling to me. . . I didn't have a plan. But they would not be ignored and neglected any longer. So I started looking through my file of quilt patterns. It's a big file. There's a lot there :) I wanted something that would use all of these great colors in one quilt. Kind of a tall order. Might be why they sat around for so long before I cut into them! I decided on this pattern.
"Spring" Free pattern by Valori Wells found of the RK web site.

BUT, I was going to make mine wider, so I could use up all of the fat eighths. I did the math, and decided that 1.5" strips would make the best use of the fat eights - and it did. I only had very slim slivers left. . . like barely a quarter inch on both sides. I had a LOT of strips. . . 
Side view - how awesome is that?? :) You can see the different colors in the warp and weft in this shot. Ahh, love this picture! OK, back to the story. After cutting the strips, I wasn't done, now to subcut them. I decided to cut three different lengths. Because these were cut from wider fabric, the fat eighths measured 27" and I must have been feeling a little over zealous. . . I ended up with this. . . 
That shouldn't take long to sew together right??? Yeah, I underestimated big time on how long that would take! There are 6 strips in each of those piles. . . 30 colors. . . I'll let you do the math ;)

I started sewing. . . and sewing. . . and realizing two things - a) this is going to take a lot longer than I thought and b) I can't do anything else until these strips are sewn together. . . so I kept sewing. 

And started to audition background fabric. . . and kept sewing....
Different background fabric. . . much better. Leftover pieces from Off Course. BUT. . . I am not liking how this is looking. At.All. Crap. This is only half of the strips. . . The next panel of strips was supposed to be all of the rest of the strips sewn together. . . what to do? Well, if you are slightly off kilter, like me, you start slashing and sewing. . . :) I needed to figure out what this was going to be when it grew up before I continued. So, I took several deep breaths and started cutting. . . and sewing . . and came up with this:
MUCH better!! It was at this point I decided to sew duplicate panels to these. I sewed the narrower one first. Cut it up, sewed it back together. Then sewed the wider one. As I was cutting the triangles for the second panel, I had a sinking feeling. . . these angles are not looking the same. . . but, being the impulsive person I am, I just kept cutting. . . flipped the triangles around and yes, should have listened to that little voice. . . the angles did not match up and therefore if sewn together the panel would have been veering off in different directions. Not.good. My design alteration (as if I had a design I was working with at this point LOL) was to add some fabric into the gap in two places. Then I would have enough length to chop some of the overlap in the other seams. . . I'm happy to report, it worked. The panel is straight. but now the triangles are not lining up as I had intended:
Bummer. That's pretty busy huh? :) My number one fan did not like. Said it made his eyes go crazy. Hmm. I like it! If I use this layout, I would add borders to either side. Time to start playing with alternative layouts. . . 
I kinda like that. . . BUT, what about this:

Like. But, not enough to sew it together :) It is currently on the design wall like this. I haven't decided which layout is going to win out. . . what do you think? I would love to see which layout wins the popular vote. OR, if you have suggestions for an alternative layout - please share!! I'm open to suggestions :)

I am in process of quilting the test quilt. That will likely be finished today or tomorrow. Then, I will baste the rose linen. It is completely marked. Wanna see? Of course you do! 
I know, it's hard to see but hopefully you can get a good idea of how this is going to look. I have the backing, I have thread, I have it marked. It is ready to go :)

Time to get back to quilting! I'll share some pictures of the back of the test quilt when I'm finished quilting. Keeping with my trend, the back could be the front. . . except with this one, the front is so darn cool, it's kind of hard to stop looking at it. Stay tuned, at the end of the first week of April, the pattern will launch and I'll participate in a blog hop and share it with you.

Linking up with Lorna for Let's Bee Social and Freshly Pieced for WIP Wednesday. Head over and check out all of the awesomeness shared at these great linky parties :)

Until next time, keep on quilting!! I know I will be ;)
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28 comments:

  1. Wow! That's some process. I like the original idea, but what you ended up with is fantastic. Go with that last layout--it's very dynamic. Since he had so much input, will this go to your #1 fan? :)

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    1. Based on our conversations, I believe she will be keeping this one for herself!

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  2. I think I like your first alternative layout best.

    I love the pattern you chose originally though! But at least you came up with a workaround when you weren't happy with it. I tend to ball things up and shove them into the corner at that stage LOL.

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  3. Holy cow! I can totally relate to this! I do know you will come up with the perfect design. Sometimes it takes a while and you have to stare at in on your design wall until something hits you on the head! The colors are gorgeous and I love your #1 fan story!

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  4. I remember your #1 fan. :) Tell him thanks for pushing you to post. I always love reading your process. I really like the last layout with little bits separateing the strip sections. Have you tried putting the rectangles together in the middle, then the solid, then the triangles on the outside?

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    1. And I meant to say that the rose piece is gorgeous! I look forward to seeing more progress. ;) Breathe and just do it.

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  5. Now I know what was keeping you busy, I too had noticed it had been a while since you posted last!! Just let it set and steep like a cup of tea and when the time is right you will know just what you want. It's ok to let it 'age' a bit!!

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  6. What a splash of color!!! Reminds me of Holi (the Indian festival of colors). Whatever you choose, it will be fabulous.
    In fact, I am working on a Holi-inspired quilt too. Sending you best wishes and quilty hugs!!!

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  7. Yep, I like the second layout. As for the rose linen, I totally get the "avoidance"...however, your track record and finished pieces speak volumes about the quality (and quantity, lol) of quilting of which you are capable, so hesitate no more and put your skills and vision to work on that precious baby. :-) And I have a feeling the stencil I finally ordered and received yesterday is the same one...

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  8. Really wonderful! Graphic and colorful!

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  9. I like the mad make my had spin layout! Great fun and I think you are right to let it sit a while!

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  10. Wow, with 1.5" strips, that must have taken quite a while to piece together! I like the separation the solid strips give the piecing in the last image, and I would play around with the order a bit like Jasmine suggested, too, but you are on the right path! Yay for quilting; I'm looking forward to the sneak peak and seeing how the rose linen quilting comes together, too.

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  11. I really like the picture showing the warp and weft of those Oakshotts. Pretty! I think the third one would be my choice. Good luck deciding!

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  12. Ah, Oakshott fabric! I only just bought some recently, in their Valentine sale. It's gorgeous, but I haven't been brave enough/had enough time to cut into mine yet, though I do have a plan in mind already. I love all the colours you have here, I'm sure you'll find just the right layout for those wonderful triangles. :)

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  13. See, I'm thinking, wow, that's a lot of pressing! Hmm. I can see how it would make your eyes go crazy. I think I like the last layout the best. What about some more negative space? Maybe narrow sashing on the diagonals in between the triangles? And/or having the two set of triangles facing the same way?

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  14. As I was looking at the piece, before I got to the last picture of it (on the design wall) I was thinking - this is cool but I would add some strips of grey in between and then VIOLA I saw the next picture! I like it in the last iteration - it's pretty neat. Those fabrics are so shimmery good, aren't they? LOVE them. Good improv job ;)

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  15. My Two Cents!--Love the lay out in the last design wall pic. I would add a strip of gray in-between the triangles (braking it up to rest the eye). Loving it! I am sitting with several linens to attempt a lien whole cloth--just have not had the courage to do it yet. I am sure this beautiful rose cloth will be amazing! Your No 1 Fan sounds Great!

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  16. I like the quilt layout in the first picture at it's busiest! I think you need to play around with the pieces more. Maybe cut the straight strips into triangular pieces too.

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  17. Oh man!! That is going to be great - I like it super crazy busy too lol - but I like the last picture you posted. That is so cool - and leaves you good room for your fantastic quilting!

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  18. Your quilt is awesome! Thank you so much for showing your entire process from picking out fabric and a pattern to all of the different design changes that went along the way. I love your new design more than the original pattern!

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  19. Sorry to say this is not really working for me. I'm so fixed to color order. I saw beautiful bundle, pretty pile of strips but the end result is something outside my zone. If I have to choose I'll go with the last option where the triangle shape is separated from the sort of square kind.

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  20. Would def play with placement. The pinks seem to really stand out for some reason? Can't wait to see what you do!

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  21. If it's still not too late, here is another idea on layout. Are the triangles sewn together already? I would separate them, adding grey in between them. I'm imagining something like alligator teeth here, with the horizontal/vertical striped strips as tall columns, with spikes coming out of them into the middle (and maybe outside too). It would be harder to see the wonky cutting that way since they do not have to be lined up exactly. Separating the pieces with grey gives the eye a calmer point to retreat to when necessary.

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  22. I love that your nephew Scott kibbitzes with you about your quilting - that is so cool Judy! So... Scott are you going to try making a quilt soon too? Yes, yes - be Judy's guest poster and show us how an engineer approaches design!
    Loved seeing you develop this quilt with so many awesome colors! I have no idea what to do next, but know you will cook up something great!

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    1. Yeah, no.... I'd much rather be outside cutting down a tree.

      Haven't done much designing in the last year. Been up to my eye balls in bill of material and color changes

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  23. Of course I have advice to offer!!! Ha!
    Ask other quilters for opinions and you will receive plenty of food for thought.
    My two cents?
    What if you move the left hand strippy panel over to the right side of the quilt? Go for an asymmetrical layout to fit the character of your piecing (no longer symmetrical and matchy match). Keep that skinny gray strip on the left beside your triangles (diamonds). Just move all the rest to the right hand edge.
    Good luck figuring out your next move!

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  24. Hello, I don't think by comment posted.

    I love what you did with this project. You took a piece that didn't turn out how you intended it to, into a magnificent piece. You have inspired meto keep on going even when "things" such a quilting, or even Life.
    I would love to see the layout with the grey separating the two main pieces, however instead of grey, how about white or one of the other light colours. This would make the piece POP.

    I'm eager to see what you decide.

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