Is there something you do to make this a fun aspect of your quilt building?
I get it. I know the feeling of just wanting to slap something on there as far as borders go so I can call it done.
Ideas are merging on what I want to turn to next. There is ALWAYS a next, right?
Such was the case of making the border for the brown/turquoise top.
Yes - sometimes I do get hit with Quilt-Apathy. It can be really difficult to continue to work on a project that I just feel so done with.
Are you the same way? Do you suffer from Quilt-Apathy? At what point of the pushing through does your enthusiasm finally come back and kick in for you?
It was a whole lot of this.
SO much of this.
And then there was all of the pressing, determining that half the units needed to be pressed one way, and the other half the opposite so that things would nest and give me sharp points.
And sometimes I just don't feel it. That excitement of "Oh yes! This works! I can't wait to see it together!"
A couple of good watches on Netflix do help to keep me going.
Have you watched the Helen Reddy movie, I Am Woman? Loved it! Cried. Watch it if you can.
More determining how things should press to nest.
My best hint for this, is to place units upside down so you can see what to do with the seam direction.
As this starts clicking things really start feeling "RIGHT" to me and I can't wait to get it together.
I struggled with the inner neutral border. I couldn't use a color there. the quilt center is pretty busy, and I needed a margin of breathing space.
At first try, the aqua rectangles started out as squares, but the border became too wide and clunky to be a good frame for the center, so back to the drawing board I went.
Which also meant I needed to redesign what was going to end up as the "turn the corner" unit.
That'll do it!
And there we have it.
I do make notes throughout the whole process on directions to press things so units fit together nicely.
I won't say it is "perfect" all the time, because it is impossible to nest seams all of the time.
Sometimes seams HAVE to go the same direction and just be pinned to match. Sometimes I can press a seam open to eliminate bulk, but that is my least favorite thing to do.
Another hint I can give is to stay-stitch around the outside edge of the quilt top to minimize stretch and stop the popping open of seams.
And because seams go in various pressing directions - stay stitch with the back side of the quilt top UP so you can control those seams as you stay-stitch. It will stop those seams from flipping the wrong way. I hope this helps.
This was yesterday's job. piecing a backing.
The challenge of stitching random bits of yardage into backings continues!
I am continuing to sew down the SABLE. (Stash Accumulated Beyond Life Expectancy!)
Yes, it takes a bit longer to build a backing, but my aging stash is now 6 yards lighter!
And truth - I have NO IDEA where that featherweight fabric came from. But it has a fun and meaningful place to go now.
TODAY - Let's get this quilt loaded and machine quilting started!
For now, anyway, the Quilt-Apathy is behind me and I am excited to move forward.
I'm still working on a name for this one. But I'm already thinking that this would be perfect for a March 2022 PDF pattern release, so stay tuned.
LAST chance:
SANTA Sale ends 12/12/2021 at Midnight Eastern time, so this is the LAST time I'm posting about this:
Looking for the perfect gift for the quilter in your life? (That includes YOU TOO!)
Check out Electric Quilt and save 20% off EVERYTHING with code SANTA!
I use EQ8 software to design my quilts, including Rhododendron Trail. If you've been on the fence, now is the time!
Still not sure? Check out the awesome EQ8 Demo Video and a BlockBase+ Demo Video!
Okay - time to grab some breakfast, head over to the QPO Studio, and get that quilt loaded.
What do you have happening this weekend? Are you digging into Part Three of Rhododendron Trail?
Quiltville Quote of the Day -
Treat yourself gently, you are a work in progress.
Remember that it is sometimes harder to forgive yourself than it is to forgive others.
But do it. Soften the critic within.
Vintage Pennsylvania Dutch nine patch quilt shared by Siobhan. I love that blue background!
Have a wonderful weekend, everyone -
60 comments:
LOVE the newest quilt--reminds me of the Southwest--how about Southwest Turquoise? Have a great weekend!!
this is stunning Bonnie! Will be watching for the pattern release ❤
I love the piecing of the quilt to....then quilt-apathy hits. Borders do not like borders so the top goes in the "another day" pile. But, I read your tips on borders and now I do borders. I also stay-stitch around the top, it helps so much. Happy Holidays!
The quilt is absolutely beautiful. I can't wait to buy the pattern. Thank you for the tip to sew on the backside to keep pieces from opening up. I hate sewing down bindings and hope to finish the queen size quilt tonight. Today I will be starting with clue #1. But first I need to walk Lucy my dog.
Thanks for the advice on stay-stitching with the wrong side of the top up. I've had some seams fold over the wrong way when stay-stitching and it never occurred to me to flip the top over so I could see what I was doing!
Lola’s sky? It seemed to me as you pieced it that it was always about the colors of the sky and then Lola—both her “guarding” the quilt scrap bins and her own colors.
Bonnie ~ The quilt is gorgeous! Glad you pushed through and found the perfect border for it! Love the colors!
I remember reading your tip about stay stitching the outer edge years ago. I think my Longarmer appreciates that the seams stay closed. I know I do, especially if the top won’t be quilted right away. I love your aqua/brown quilt.
Great tip on staystitching from the back. Why didn’t I think of that? Is there a head slap emoji?
The quilt is fabulous! Absolutely love it! The border is perfect!
Your talent is astounding! Thank you for all you do and all you share.
I am totally LOVING this quilt. Think it's time for me to build my turquoise and brown stashes!
I love everything about this quilt! The brown and turquoise color combo is great, with the brown segments framing those Ohio Stars so beautifully! Your pieced border is the perfect finish to it all!
Beautiful. Absolutely beautiful.
Bonnie...just love this quilt! Certainly agree that at times we all just plop borders on to get a quilt finished, but IF we take the time to put a multi-pieced border we then make a statement. The colors in your quilt sure make me think of the SW USA.... possible name for your quilt...STARS OVER TUCSON...
I Love the quilt and excited for the pattern release. The pattern is stunning and my daughter and son in law will be over the moon with this quilt when I gift it to them because of the brown and turquoise colors.
Also Bonnie, I so appreciate how you take the time to teach and encourage us at every opportunity. We've never met but you have made a substantial difference in my quilting life. Thank You!!
This quilt design has reminded me so much of Smith Mountain Mornings…a lot having to do with the colors chosen. Maybe a good name would include the name of a mountain near your “new” home. I always read your entire blog posts for many reasons, most of all because you share so many tips and how-tos with us. They are truly helpful, no matter how long I have been making quilts. Sometimes it’s just one little nugget of info that will make the process easier or more fun. I still haven’t mastered the art of watching movies while sewing because I lip-read, so I will just have to stick with listening to music. I don’t have any secrets to working through Quilt-Apathy except to start a new project (with entirely different colors) as a leader-ender to add a little excitement to the piecing process.
I am not good at naming quilts but when I saw the completed top, chocolate came instantly to mind. maybe incorporate "chocolate" in the name. It is beautiful. Like your thoughts on quilt apathy too. I get it with every quilt I make when it comes time to quilt them. I don't have a long arm and I like to do the job myself so it takes me a long time to get the job done. Oh well!!
Same with me. I should instinctively know this. But I didn't so this is a great tip. And a good lesson to think before I do something new.
Wow! You are amazing! That border really makes the quilt complete!!! I absolutely love it! I do find it humorous that you experienced quilt apathy during the construction of this border. I wish my apathetic episodes that I've pushed through could have resulted in such gorgeous results, mine have been kind of meh. I use Audible and listen to a book, which I really use every day to get me through work apathy. Hmmm, which book to listen to today, gotta work. Your fan in Port Orange FL, Karen L.
I love this! And I think I spy a little piece of the New Jersey fabric I brought to you at Quiltville Inn. That's fun. I have to make this for my blue/brown bedroom.
That is so beautiful! Congrats on another amazing quilt design!
Usually when the boredom hits, I work on something else for a while.
Another awesome quilt, Bonnie! What helps me get past the apathy is telling my husband that I am feeling stuck and his checking in with me on the progress helps keep me accountable.
It turned out so great! Way to push through a lot of same units to make something amazing.
Quilt-apathy usually hits me while assembling the quilt top - or while trying to psych myself up to tackle assembly. Not a fan of wrangling a quilt top around once it gets big and unwieldy. So close to the finish at that stage, though - it helps to see the end close at hand.
I thought of "chocolate covered blueberries" when I saw it! Or, just now I thought maybe blueberry muffins?
I always love brown/blue. I am working on a log cabin in brown/blues/neutrals in repro fabrics. To be able to push through quilt apathy, I always listen to podcasts, put on a movie I've seen a million times so I don't just sit/watch HA! and/or listen to music. Love your insights and posts!
Apathy? Not me. Lol Way too many quilts in my Ufo totes that say I am quilt crazy. It's the sashing and putting blocks together that stops me. I love how you work out the pressing for us. No twisted sisters.
Happy Saturday. Bazaar day then stitching on part 2 & 3 with Hallmark Movie to keep me company.
Lola's Sky is perfect, it has my vote!
Your new quilt is absolutely gorgeous! I'll be pulling my browns and turquoise fabrics in the new year in anticipation! Thank you!
Love that SABLE acronym...oh so true!! I don't know if it is the holiday rush or what, but I have no desire (or can, actually with sciatica!!) to sew at all. I figure I need that "time out" and happy that I am able to indulge myself...
Your border is just so lovely!! As ever, your quilts are just beautiful
hugs, Julierose
I relate to your quilt apathy, and I'm so grateful you worked through it, because the border is fantastic with that blue strip. Congratulations!
Perhaps a name taken from the area history around Quiltville Inn?
Your tedium was rewarded with a fantastic border. Well done.
Thank you for all those great tips! Gorgeously done. I don't have aquas but I certainly have blues!! I'll be making this one for sure.
Fantastic idea about stitching around on the wrong side. I love it. This is an awesome quilt. Maybe call it Getting Over Quilt Apathy Quilt. LOL
I love this quilt Bonnie! The colors are scrumptious and I definitely want to make this one!
Beautiful new quilt. Usually not a fan of brown, but... this one is lovely! Just finished Clues 1,2,3 on vacation at the beach. Fun time sewing and listening to the ocean. Hubbie not happy with all the threads and little dog ears everywhere. There's always the vacuum cleaner for that.
I love the colors! I am looking forward when the pattern will be available. The colors remind me of my recent trip to beautiful New Mexico. The shades of browns resembles the desert terrain and the aqua reflects the majestic sky…… Desert Sky :)
Can’t wait to make this one!
I think this is my favorite of your recent quilts. I love your border design. Sew simple and the perfect frame for this quilt. Thanks for all the inspiration!
Loving your new quilt, especially the colors!
Quilt-apathy hits hard. The border, the backing, even the tension going screwy on the sewing machine.
I often just put it in time out and work on something else or go to quilting sites for finishing ideas. Many times, something hits me just right and I go back to the project. Or, put it up and start something else. I did that with a quilt a year ago and now I'm ready to put it together. :-)
Blessings,
Your perseverance really paid off. The border you designed for this new quilt is so new and fresh looking, a perfect finish. I'll be watching for the pattern release, I have lots of browns but no turquoise. Time for stash enhancement!
Love the new quilt and the colors just pop!
Looks like jewels in the sand to me! Just gorgeous & the borders are sew right!
Love this brown and turquoise and looking forward to working on it. My quilt-apathy hits when it's time to quilt it. It's more than apathy - it's a roadblock! Have participated in a "Dirty Dozen" project through Country Threads Chicken Scratch for the third year in a row. Pick 12 UFO's and number them. Then she draws number on the first of the month and that is the project you are challenged to finish that month. It's working - I just needed a deadline! BTW, I get this blog through blogspot - but it comes a day late - any clues why?
I call quilt apathy "no man's land". When my husband asks me how the quilting day went, if I say I'm in no man's land, he knows I need encouragement to push through!
What a great design -- and a beautiful colorway! When I have to make many, many units I tell myself, "I'll make them until...." meaning "until the bobbin runs out," or "until this audiobook chapter is over," or some time marker. Usually that results in renewed energy and I make a bunch more.
Bonnie, this one is soothing and reminds me of comfort under my Mema’s utility quilts. Thanks for sharing.
SEW glad you worked through that, Bonnie, as the resulting quilt top is gorgeous!!
Gorgeous quilt. You have an amazing talent.You can see it in your mind and there it is.Have a Merry Christmas.
Looking forward to the pattern release.
Spectacular!!
It takes a few hours more of sewing to push through the apathy for me. But It also helps if I jump to another step in the same quilt if I am bored. Thank you for your mysteries and all you do. Happy holidays! Kathy Aho
I love how this quilt morphed into such a beauty! It brings to mind turquoise jewelry. Would "Zuni Valley" be a good name?
I love love love your browns and blues, separate and together. Maybe the name could incorporate Blue Ridge, based on the photos shared on today's blog! 💙
thumbs up! Also reminds me of the blue of old painted porch ceilings.
What a beautiful brown and aqua quilt!
I love your colors!you have a wonderful sense of color play! Thank you for all of your sharing.
Apathy, since I have the attention span of a squirrel, I jump from one project to another. Especially like to cut fabric, finding the mind numbing task very soothing. Thank you for the suggestion about a stay in place stitch, what a great hint. I so appreciate your generosity in sharing your knowledge.
What about Chocolate Days as the name for the quilt. It looks like how I feel eating chocolate at yhe Beach.
re your first question: I pretend to be Bonnie K. Hunter and surprise the quilting community with a new pattern or new color ways.
Post a Comment
If you are commenting as "anonymous" please leave your name at the end of your comment.
Did you know that ad space on this blog provides for all of the free patterns and free mysteries and challenges at no cost to you? Without ads, this blog would not be possible.
Thank you for understanding the many hours that go into this blog 6 days a week, 52 weeks a year. :)