Second Block Decisions

The second set of blocks for this quilt, based on what Ricky Tims calls "Convergence," will take some thinking. I want to do something different than the first, but not too weird.

I started with the background for the checkerboard blocks as a large 4-patch.  The fabrics used for this

are The Blended Collection IV by Sharon Yenter for In the Beginning fabrics and Floral Carpet by P & B Textiles. The sunflower fabric is a Hoffman batik and the yellow is something pulled from my scraps.

I layered the 4-patch and the checkerboard blocks and decided to cut them at equal widths. I decided a 3"strip was sensible without getting too small, but small enough to allow the pattern to show through the checks.  Then I laid them all out and took a peek.

 Here's the original layout:

 What would it look like if I switched things around?

Here's another alternative:

I'll let you know what I decide.
peace~~

First Is to Select the Fabrics

In order for this little project to work, I have to have great fabric behind the checkerboards. In a perfect world, I would buy some beautiful 1930s reproduction prints to go with these blocks. But alas I want to only use fabric from my stash and I had no stash of 30s.


So I played with different fabrics, mostly rejecting choices because the fabrics were the wrong tone. I finally came up with these possible choices for background for the checkerboards:


Okay, now I had to cut two squares of fabric and create something interesting with the fabrics. I did this by layering the two fabrics (these are "Happy" by Jennifer Heynen for In the Beginning fabrics, and a 30s reproduction fabric from Robert Kaufman designs) front-to-back so they are both facing up with the fronts. I then cut any design I wanted.

I pieced the two fabrics together: These blocks will create the design "behind" the strips of the checkerboard blocks.

One of the things I didn't understand by reading Ricky Tims book, Convergence, is that it is important to cut each piece and lay the cuts out in the appropriate design before you start sewing. Ask me why I know this... Yes, I did have to do the "frog stitch" on many of the strips. Takes time to rrrrr-i-p-it rrrrr-i-p-it rrrrr-i-p-it this much! But I did finally get two blocks together. Next: finding the second strip design!

I Have This Little Project...

An old high school friend sent me some quilt blocks that her grandmother had made many years ago. She asked if I would be willing to put together a quilt to donate to someone. She warned me the blocks were not particularly attractive, but if anyone could pull something interesting off...well she believed in me.

The truth is, the blocks are rather dreary. I kept thinking about them, rearranging them in my head, and returned them to their box. It seemed that no matter what I did, they were still drab and dreary, creating a drab quilt top. I love '30s fabric, but these...not so much.

The problem for me was the size of the blocks (19 inches--I couldn't get past the huge squares!) and the colors (green and beige/green and orange/green and steel grey). Plus some blocks are green/whatever matching and other alternate, so making a large single checker board was impossible.

I was stumped, so I toss a cry for HELP on the Quilting Bee on Delphi Forums. Many great suggestions, but the one that hit home was working with Ricky Tims' Convergence idea. And I just so happen to have a personally autographed copy of Tims' book!

Over the next few weeks I will be working on this quilt top project. Let's see how it turns out!

peace~~

Just Realized...

I read a story in the paper yesterday about a woman who was celebrating the 25th anniversary of her discovery of some cure for some disease and it made me realize that I was harboring the hopes of someday doing something phenomenal like that. I didn't realize I was harboring that hope before I read that article. But there it was...in there a little bit. And I realized I was almost ready to let that one go. That I would never accomplish something amazing like find a cure for a disease, make significant changes in the world or universe. Almost ready to let that one go.

But then I also realized that I would never put on a backpack and walk around in Europe, would never roam from hostel-to-hostel. That I would never travel by hitchhiking across the States. I realized that I would never drop acid, never run the Boston marathon, and would always regret that I didn't get to Woodstock.

Not feeling my mortality but just making note of things that are past their prime in my life.

And so it goes...peace~~~

We Get By With a Little Help From Our Friends

A good Internet friend has been going through tough times. She lost her job and lost her house. Fortunately she is a strong well-centered woman who has great friends. One great friend gave her a home to live on her property. The property is great with horses and dogs and lots of space. Unfortunately the house isn't spacious. My friend moved from a three-bedroom home to a one-bedroom cottage. But she painted it up nice and it is cozy! She is starting to readjust and regroup.

I thought she might need some positive energy surrounding her, so I made her this lap quilt. I called it Staying Centered, because we all need reminding on occasion. I hope the cool calming colors--they remind me of a lush forest somehow--will help her remember how much she is loved.


peace~~