It's Memorial Day weekend here in the states. Hubby and I decided to stay home and relax rather than brave the crowded highways. We'll probably take a couple of long walks, do some BBQing, and I plan to do some quilting. Before I could even begin to think about starting anything, I needed to get my sewing room into some kind of order. I've been wanting to go through my UFOs to see if there weren't some I could discard, disassemble, give away and/or finish so that's what I did. I found several that I'm going to donate to my guild, several that I disassembled, and several that I'll attempt to sell and that made my pile much shorter. Which makes me very happy.
Anyway, I came across this quilt top at the very bottom of the pile (kind of indicative of how I feel about it) and it's on my design wall now to finish. . I did this in a class that was one of the most anticipated classes I've ever taken. I was so excited to work with this instructor I could hardly sleep. And I'll just say that it was the most disappointing and disillusioning class I've ever taken.
I don't "get" this quilt. I didn't then and I don't now. I just don't understand the whole concept as I was constantly reminded by the instructor as he came over to re-arrange my blocks every half-hour or so. By mid-morning I gave up and just enjoyed watching what others were doing and taking pictures for the rest of the day. There were some beautiful quilt tops that came out of that class, but with the exception of only one or two, the instructor had a hand in re-arranging everyone's blocks. When I put this up on my design wall this morning, I felt the same level of frustration that I felt way back then and almost took it back down.
This is exactly how it came home with me that day. I think I'll just start playing and re-arranging and see what I come up with. As I said, I still don't understand the concept so I'll just work it "my way". Nothing is sewn yet so it will be easy to play. Some of my favorite fabrics are in this quilt top so it's definitely worth saving.
I'm almost finished with the binding on my
"Scrappy String" and will probably get it hung on the wall this weekend. Then, I hope to get some good photos to post.
Take care and Happy Memorial Day!
9 comments:
I have made 2 of these quilts however I used the layout in the book instead of just designing. Why don't you add some of the Brandon Mabley wiggly stripe to liven it up?
I like it and I agree that some strips might liven it up. Sorry you were disappointed in the class.
I don't know which class or which teacher you had, but I love the Kaffe fabrics. What I notice from the blog photo is that there is very little change in value between the fabrics. A little insertion of lighter/darker fabrics might help? I also like Wanda's idea re: the stripes. Can't wait to see how you change it up!
Oh, yes, change it up and make it yours! Please don't give up on it...it's going to be beautiful!
So what was this technique? I've never taken any classes so I don't recognize it... The fabrics are beautiful - I'm sure you'll come up with something great! Good luck!
No instructor should be walking around a class and rearranging other people's work at will -- then it becomes the instructor's work. How frustrating. You were smart to stop trying to make it work and just enjoy what others were doing.
I agree with some of the others here -- I'll bet some strips would help it a bit. The fabrics are so gorgeous -- it would be a shame to give up without one more valiant effort.
Diane
I hate it when an instructor puts their hand in your work. I made a quilt too with most of those fabrics. Can't wait to see what you will do with it.
I've been doing a bit of cleaning out too. It feels good!
Have a great weekend!
I totally agree. An instructor should teach technique and, maybe can offer some alternative design solutions she can see, to be taken up or left as to the quilt makers decision. I have been in a class where I had a border of nine patches I was happy with. The instructor came and rearranged them to her taste. I just changed them back. She was not impressed...
Ok, as for the top. As said, beautiful fabrics. The first thing that leapt out at me when looking at it was the square with the black background. If you take that out, the whole of the colouring is more harmonious. After that, you can either shuffle and get a pleasing arrangement, or, as suggested, add some brighties to intermingle. Personally I quite like the subtle look of it already BUT, as said, you can take advice but it's YOUR quilt and only you can make it your own with a great result. Looking forward to seeing it!
That top is awesome, all the beautiful fabrics...just awesome...maybe some black outline squares would set the fabrics apart??? Just saying, know you didn't ask...sorry.
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