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Since Christmas I had been trying to decide on a pattern for the fat quarters, and finally decided on trying the Crazy Nine Patch pattern, at the suggestion of some friends. I found two links for the pattern; both are years old, but here they are. http://allsorts.typepad.com/allsorts/2006/10/crazy_about_qui.html or www.ohfransson.com/oh_fransson/2010/02/crazy-ninepatch-lattice-quilt.html
I gathered the fabrics on February 19, 2015, added more fat quarters, stacked them all up, and started cutting. The nine blocks went together very quickly. I laid them out, stood back, and said to myself, "I think I've just ruined those beautiful fat quarters that Marsha sent me."
I love all the fabrics, including those I added, but I don't really like that pattern! I like more symmetry, and those blocks have none of that! None of the seams match! A friend reminded me they are not supposed to; that didn't help my feelings a bit. I decided to add the darker sashings and white cornerstones, and it looks a little better to me, but I'll probably never make that pattern again. I turned every block at least a dozen times, and still came up with two light sections next to each other. Rats! Too late now! I finished the top today. Six days from beginning to top finished. That's got to be a record for me! I think I just wanted to get it over with. I'm still grieving that I cut up those beautiful fat quarters like this!
Here it is, all 58" square of it: all of it is purple and white, except for the few green leaves.
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Here's a closeup of the corner that shows the pretty fabrics better. I decided to add the little corner blocks in the border which helped my feelings some. All nine fabrics are in every block, in a different position each time.
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| Look at the center section. I wish it were more symmetrical, like a kite! Even that would help! |
Thanks again, Marsha, for the beautiful fabrics. Sorry I didn't choose a prettier pattern for them.
By the way, I had to use that nice big-handled ripper only once on 3-4 stitches to turn a seam the other way where I had stitched over it.
It really was easy, but seems I remember hearing from my mother that sometimes the "easy" things are not as pretty, or as useful as more difficult things, . I think maybe that could refer to this pattern.
---"Love"
Wait until it's quilted before you deliver the verdict :) Sometimes quilting makes a huge difference. I think it looks pretty and cozy. I do know how hard it is to let go of the quest for symmetry and embrace randomness though!
ReplyDeleteThat's a terrific quilt to make from your winnings. I like the pieced cornerstones.
ReplyDeleteThe fabrics are lovely and the quilt is going to be lovely when you get it quilted and bound. Just cuddling under it and enjoying the prettiness of the fabrics will be warm the heart and soul. And, I disagree with your Mom....easy things can be very pretty and useful. With those fabrics you can't go wrong.
ReplyDeleteI understand your love of symmetry. ;) I think all your purples look lovely in the wonky blocks. Happy quilting
ReplyDeleteLove, I think the quilt has lots of possibilities! It would look wonderful quilted with a darker purple thread. Or maybe adding some touches of embroidery. The blocks remind me of a crazy quilt. You will have to wait for it to be finished before you decide how you like it. I have made a couple of quilt tops that I didn't like at all until they were completely quilted, then I loved how they turned out. I will be waiting to see the finished quilt. I'm glad you played with the fabrics and challenged your comfort zone with a different pattern. Part of quilting is learning new things and growing in your craft. Have fun and I hope you are happy with the final result!
ReplyDeleteLook what the cat dragged in. hee hee.
ReplyDeleteLove, wow, 6 days from start to finish! Looks great. As mentioned, perhaps the quilting will make it more to your liking.
I can't remember do you hand quilt, or machine? If machine, does your machine do decorative stitches? Perhaps you can use a dark purple thread, as Marsha mentioned, and make it similar to a crazy quilt, and use different stitches along each line of the block.
I have missed you all. Even more so, now that I have found your blog, and mine again. I truly hope to do some writing more often. Stay tuned to see the few things I have worked on... or am working on. No finished projects yet.
WHAT A PLEASANT SURPRISE! Alice, this is just too weird! I was thinking just last night that I need to try to get in touch with you again; it's been way too long! Hope you are doing well now, and I'm looking forward to seeing what you've been up to all the past months. I know the rest of the old APQ gang will be glad to hear from you too! ---"Love"
DeleteIt is even weirder than that! I was thinking of you yesterday too! I haven't even visited blogs in a long time, and I ended up with a question from an old post showing up in my email, and that is how I got back to my blog. And then yours! I will send you an email through my regular email.
DeleteWeird, that it is showing up as anonymous! LOL
DeleteSuggestions from others to wait until it's quilted are exactly what I would say, too. I have a quilt hanging here (my guild challenge, to be exact) that I HATED by the time I had it about 1/3 constructed. I quilted it, just as planned, and hate it much less now. Now it's just annoying me and I can't tell you why. Maybe because I know how much I disliked it before I quilted it? Anyways, quilting often make me fall in love with a quilt that I've grown to dislike during construction. You get too close to the bits and parts or something and then seeing it all come together changes it again. But honestly, who can't love a purple quilt? I mean, it is the best color after all! And you know what? Now you know that assymetrical, wonky blocks are not your thing and you don't have to try them again. But you tried. And that's more than many would do. :)
ReplyDelete