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Tuesday, October 18, 2022

To-Do List Tackled

Last week I had looked forward to two fast finishes...  And I was successful!  Funfetti with the pink 4-patch blocks and some 1990s era pink and green was a great practice for me with stippling.



Alycia had suggested doing free-motion hearts.  I took her suggestion and ran with it.  You can read all about the details by clicking the link above.


The Black & White quilt was a quick piecing job as well... I had the most difficult time trying to decide on what colors to pair with them.


Red, yellow and lime green were among the suggestions offered... I really, really wanted to go with some traditional primary colors... drawing inspiration from the fabric that I chose for border and backing... I insisted on it!  And I tried to force it.  After selecting red, yellow and blue fabrics I started adding them to the design wall.  I kept snapping pictures as I added a few more.  It was certainly scrappy... but unsettling to my eyes and my mind.  

After letting it sit overnight (can you say time out?) I returned and took down all of the colored blocks.  The quilt needed something to offer more consistency and calm down the B/W... I pulled out a scrappy assortment of red, yellow and teal fabrics to replace them.  


As I placed these blocks on the wall I felt better about it, but still not thrilled. Again, I left it (in time out) as I focused on the "well behaved" child and quilted the pink & green quilt.  Each time I would enter or exit the room I would stare at it (glare at it?), move a few things and return to quilting.

When I finished the confetti binding on Funfetti, I turned back to the "troubled child"... THAT was when I decided that it needed less scrappy and went with a dark teal blender, a red stripe and solid yellow.  At last!  I was pleased with the look...  it was ready for a border and quilting.


Vivian had offered several wonderful quilting suggestions... I chose a double line grid that gives a plaid like look to the quilt.   









And that red stripe binding?  PERFECT!

It needs a name!  What would you suggest?


Well, all of that was fun! What should I do now?


Focus on one more (final - Bonus) row of the Pieces in the Garden row quilt and get borders on it! We are getting so close! I have noticed that there has been a significant drop in pattern downloads. It's not too late to catch up! Last week the Wrench block was published.



The house block ~ a bonus block ~ is still available at no cost for a short time... 


As I was looking through some older photos last week, I found this photo of a Bride's Quilt that I made using 12" blocks.  You will notice that some of the blocks for this sew along row quilt have been modified so that all of them are not as difficult as that Wedding Ring block.  That one had a whopping 25 pieces and they are were ALL small, TEENY-TINY, really... the block finishes at 3 inches square.  

I applaud each of you that completed them!  👏  If you happened to pass on that block, you can always use the Love block in place of them. 💟 

As I have considered the size and complexities of the Pieces in the Garden row quilt, I have wondered...

How do you decide if you want to participate in a block of the month or sew-along event?  

Is it the skill level?  Is it a specific colorway?  Is it a technique?  Is it the story that accompanies the patterns?  The size of the finished quilt?  Something else?  

Do you like to see all of the blocks or a finished quilt before you start?  Do you mind more of a "mystery" approach with a monthly reveal?  Does a cost for the pattern deter you?  Would you buy a kit?  Would you rather use your own fabric?  Does the chance to win a prize entice you?

Leave a comment letting me know your thoughts.  I love to hear from my readers!  If you happen to be an anonymous commenter (or if you are unsure if you are) and would like a response, please leave your email address with your comment.  Or send me an email directly - MelvaLovesScraps@NolanQualityCustoms.com).

Keep piecing!

Melva

Linking with:

To Do Tuesday at Texas Quilt Gal
Mid-week Makers at Quilt Fabrication
Wednesday Wait Loss at The Inquiring Quilter

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4 comments:

  1. Funfetti is so pretty and I love the quilted hearts. Black and White quilt turned out great - I love that border! Do you quilt on a longarm?
    I am attracted to sampler block sew-alongs with blocks that are from 8 to 12 inches or larger and one every week or so, such as the Moda and Riley Blake Design challenge sew-alongs. Prizes are not a draw for me.
    I enjoyed Pieces of the Santa Fe Trail sew-along! The tiny pieces in Pieces in the Garden kicked my hiney - lol - but I still enjoy the stories you've shared.
    Thank you for sharing with To Do Tuesday!

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  2. Funfetti is so fun and bright. Love it. Congratulations on taming the child! Thanks for sharing on Wednesday Wait Loss.

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  3. I think the "trouble child" looks great with those fabrics. I like sampler SALs with options for block sizes. I am not a lover of 3" blocks; 6' and above for me. I think prizes are fun but I don't always participate because I may not have finished the block in time. I do like stories with the blocks; makes it more entertaining. Your current series has been really interesting! My problem is to keep from starting too many of these!

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  4. Love funfetti! It'll make a great quilt for someone. Thanks for sharing all your projects on Wednesday Wait Loss.

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