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Sunday, November 25, 2007

Because I Can......

I tried and I tried and I tried, and I just didn't like any of the other options! I'm sorry guys....it just didn't work because these blocks are so big, plain sashings looked SO plain....lots of things looked washed out. Maybe I just don't follow other people's suggestions very well..or maybe I just march to the beat of a different drummer?

I knew it wasn't the red that was the problem, but it took some tries for me to figure out what it was! It was the brown gingham check. It was too LIGHT to go up against the light parts of the blocks! So I started digging in the stash and came up with a taupe-y grey/brown mushroom color stripe....PERFECT! It reads less intense than the red, but still darker than the lights in the blocks.

I wanted to keep the "mirror image" and "positive/negative" thing going on, and it just seemed to me the best way to do that was to stick with the original half-square triangle sashing. I bit the bullet and framed a couple blocks to see if I liked it better with the seam allowances gone. PRESTO! That was what it needed! I just finished setting everything together and I'm pooped. Do you know how hard it is for me to make 50 gadzillion half square triangle squares with only TWO FABRICS!!! Talk about mind numbing..there is a reason I do scrap quilts, remember? I think it has to do with my attention span! :cÞ


So...it still needs an outer border to frame it all, but I'm bleary eyed and wanting to crawl in and watch some TV before nodding off to sleep. Work week starts back tomorrow.....what a great holiday weekend it's been! I've sure enjoyed the down time and glad that we didn't have to go to Winston-Salem!

22 comments:

Katie said...

Yes! I couldn't think what to say about your quilt but I see that you found the perfect solution. I certainly couldn't put my finger on it. Your darker fabric solution is wonderful. Fantastic quilt!

Ms. Jan said...

Guess that's why you're a MAVERICK, right? Looks great with the darker stripe and the red. You gotta go with your heart!

Melanie said...

It's fabulous! I think the taupe fabric made all the difference.

tami said...

PERFECT! I didn't comment earlier because I didn't really like any of the other choices, but couldn't think of a constructive alternative. This is so much better. It really sets off the blocks.

Elaine Adair said...

I KNEW you would come up with a great solution! I didn't have time to comment on the first version of sashing. This is perfect!

Wonderful job, as usual.

Holly said...

Your solution looks fantastic. You are sooo creative! My "H" blocks are 15" also and I was happy with how much fabric they used up.

Donna said...

you came up with the best solution! way to continue the search and identify what needed to change.

Susan said...

Darker fabric works much better, you're right about that!

Lucy said...

Yes this is what it needs, tho I also love the original with the big plain blocks :-) But indeed nothing for you ;-) I LOVE to see how you make quilts from shirts!!!

Tonya Ricucci said...

Man, you are fast. Just a few hours and you have a quilt top done. That darker fabric with the red was an excellent choice. looks great.

Gypsy Quilter said...

And that subliminal stripe lets the eye rest amidst all of the plaid movement. Great job!

Mrs. Goodneedle said...

You are incredibly speedy! It's wonderful; completely wonderful! Well done Bonnie, as always.

QuiltingFitzy said...

See? Told you so! No matter what you ended up with, it would knock my socks off. Yuppers, sure did. This is fabulous!

Evelyn aka Starfishy said...

You have such a great eye for color - with this little change it looks so totally different than your original plan. I really like it!

Cheers!

Evelyn

Unknown said...

Well, I knew you would eventually find just the right solution and, by golly, you did! Perfect fabric choice. Replacing the lighter fabric with the darker for the triangles was so perfect and now (to me) the quilt doesn't look too busy at all. Good job!

Kim in KY

Joyce said...

Absolutely fabulous!

Susan said...

What a beautiful and creative solution you found! now this quilt really sings. Bonnie, you are truly amazing, and an inspiration to us all!

Susan

Marilyn said...

Bonnie,you did it! That taupey-gray is great. I didn't think the red would work; but it does. You go, girl!

atet said...

Yep -- the darker fabric with the red is it! It cuts down the contrast a smidge but still gives you the punch you need. Fantastic!

Quilts And Pieces said...

Just checking in after my holiday weekend and I'm so glad you stuck with it and waited until you found what you liked. I love the darker framing - I wouldn't know what was bothering me about it until you found the answer! You are so good with that! It looks wonderful!

Quiltdivajulie said...

Are you sure that it needs an outer border?? I'm not convinced... Of course, the quilt top is there and you can audition/play with options in real time while I can only picture them in my mind (and we all know how differently things can turn out in real life vs. the visions in our heads)!!

I'm thinking a simple scrappy red binding using reds that don't "match" the red in your sashings. Seems like that would carry out your "use what you have" theme and reinforce/celebrate your love of scrappy!

Good luck - can't wait to see the results!

MalinisQuilts said...

Wow! this is wonderful! I love your HTS sashing!

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