These are not forgotten blocks....these are blocks that have PURPOSELY been stuffed back. I made these around 1999/2000 and they just never went anywhere. They were "too beige" or something. I wasn't sure. I loved the pattern, I hated the sage green I used for the stems/leaves....if I did it now, I would have used several greens, not all the same washed out grey/green. But that was then, this is now!
Because the UFO bin was in front of me and I had been digging through it over the past couple days, sorting, revisiting, culling, reorganizing, I pulled them out. I laid them out on the floor (in the new den...aha! that floor has another purpose!) and again....TOO BEIGE! I'm sure the beige carpet was not helping. The blocks are 14" finished. Another reason I'm not thrilled with them. I just don't get into BIG BLOCKS. What to do?
I asked myself how Gwennie or Freddie would handle something like this...how to dress up the blaah?? I needed to pull in bright and scrappy and impulsive. I started piecing some string blocks just for fun, thinking if they didn't work out, they could always go into a charity quilt. WOW...a lot of these strings are REALLY bright because I have people from guild who continually hand me baggies of "stuff" at guild meetings. It is fun to sew with other people's trimmings!
So here are some blocks laid out with altnernate string blocks....and I'm asking for thoughts. Do I go for it? Really try to wonk these boring lilies up? Can I turn it into a quilt that I will LOVE?
Here is a shot of the den from the doorway before I laid everything on the floor...I forgot to upload this one the other day.
Bonnie
31 comments:
I for one like the addition of the string blocks - whether or not you will love it in the end it still up for grabs... (You can keep it in your ready to gift pile or donate it to charity if not...) I can see the same string blocks as setting triangles too...
I really like the string blocks! Puts lots of pizazz into the quilt! Beats having them age in the box anyday!
Sio
YES! GO FOR IT!!! I love those string blocks as alternates. What a wonderful way to jazz up a ho-hum quilt.
I like it. They are kind of boring and foo foo and don't look like you alone. I really like the interesting look those string blocks give them. something totally surprising to the viewer.
My bent is "safe" quilts with colors that all "fit," and I get so tired of it. Maybe that is why I love scrap quilts...no rules...permission to be crazy...
So my vote is go for it! I just love the look and how it almost looks plans in a wild way. I think its a great combination...and would be fun to build the quilt as you keep going along.
I'm going to throw my vote in to go with the string blocks! They add a much needed punch.
I to vote you go for it with the string blocks! They really make the whole quilt POP! I would have never thought to do that, but you found a great solution for the ho hum matchy matchy blocks! Can't wait to see it finished!
I like it. What a clever idea. Can't wait to see the finished quilt.
WOOHOO...these string blocks are an AWESOME addition! GO FOR IT!
Laurie
I'd go for it -- you've got nothing to loose.... the blocks aren't doing anything in your UFO bin, they might as well be combined with some strings and either 1) be fabulous (my first guess) or 2) given to a charity as a lilly and strings top!
Love it with the string blocks! It livens them up so much. Go for it I say.
Bonnie, the addition of those wonderful string blocks makes it look so much more like you! If I saw those blocks hanging with regular setting squares, I never would say that's your quilt.
Go for it hon, it's going to be amazing!
I love how your den looks, and especially the pile of quilts in the corner. I can see that pile growing to the ceiling some day!
*hugs*
Tazzie
:-)
I say YES! Who but you would have thought to add some string quilts and make those blocks into something special. I'm sure you will love it after it's quilted - if you don't I'll send some postage LOL.
Bonnie, Bonnie, Bonnie, you continue to amaze me! I think the string blocks look great. Go for it.
Judy
Well the second picture was a complete 'in-your-face' surprise - but hey amazingly it works! They only amendment I'd make is to put a very fine sashing say half or three quarter inch in black between all the blocks - both lillies and strings to give it definition - Go for it girl! This is what's colloquially known as 'thinking outside the box!'
Bonnie, I really like your Carolina Lily blocks and the stings give a lovely look to the entire quilt! Go for it! I agree with Nancy. It worth to finish it! Love Giusypatch
Wow, I'm not normally in to bright and crazy, but I really like this combination! I agree with the above post, a sashing around the blocks would set it off perfectly!
Yes! The element of suprise!!! I love it.
I was also going to mention a light-colored frame around the string blocks to separate them from the lily blocks a bit. But, I guess, then you'd have to frame the lily blocks to make them to size... so I vote for sashing! I think it will be lovely, and look forward to seeing the final product!
Well, here's the "responsible opposing viewpoint." I wouldn't do it.
Wowser! I say go for it. I think the string blocks punch up what were just "lying there kind of dead" blocks! What fun...
Bonnie, I have been a fan of your Quiltville website for awhile, and just started a weed whacker quilt. I loveit, so easy to do, and a great way to start using some of my strips.
Thank you, you are a life saver for helping find a pattern to make using these strips easy to use!
Cheers
Nicole, Berlin, Germany
P.S. I showed my husband your cupboards of fabric...and now he doesn't thin my stash is so bad now! LOL
LOVE the strings. They really make it fun and awesome. I would say keep going, but knowing you the whole thing is probably pieced by now ;-)
Bonnie,
Like nichole I love your site, and the amount of knowledge, and patterns that you share with others. You truly have a giving spirit.
I love the strings with the lilys. It is so different, yet very unique. And, it is stash busting to beat! Yippee! I also agree with the black border between them. I think it would also give definition, and that extra "POP factor".
I have also recently got a top together from one of your string patterns, and will send you a pic once the snow stops long enough to take it. I just started a weedwhacker quilt too. This is going to be soooooooooo awesome.
I am diligently cutting all my scraps up--4 large garbage bags, into the increments from 1.5" - 4.5". It is very freeing, and my plan is to make everyone scrappy quilts for gifts next christmas. Yeah i know, it is way too early, but this girl has to plan.
debbers
I like it...seriously makes them wake up and look alive again!
I agree here with the masses, the string blocks are fun and most certainly a surprise element between the Carolina Lilies, totally unexpected and life-giving.
I am hiding my head, hoping no one notices me, but I thought I commented in a uh-hem ... negative... way as to the strings. Apparently that was one day when comments wasn't working. So I'm back again. trying to figure out what you'll come up with.
Even though I cannot imagine what this will look like with the strings, I have absolute confidence that you Bonnie, the amazing designer, will figure out something absolutely creative and wonderful, that I never could have imagined -- that's why I love your site! Frankly, I can't wait to see it.
Thanks for all your wonderful ideas!
Looks like you found a wonderful solution, but let me point out Sharyn Craig's Setting Solutions as a design inspiration for the future, too. There is a book by Margret Miller, that is nice, too, but I like Sharyn Craig's better.
Karin
cleverquilter feb17 2012
I love it too, they are like string pinwheels and jazz it up.
Loving it! Go for the added string blocks, Bonnie!
I love the string blocks, they are happy and cheery. All the brights make the other blocks also look better than they are. I would go for it.
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