The blocks were all up on the design wall, as you do.
Then my critic walked by and casually offered "It looks a bit busy."
It's not a good picture and I'm sorry about the poor light etc but there is no other picture of the arrangement to show you. I managed to use a few of the many, many hourglass blocks I had made previously and was feeling pretty smug. That was my first mistake. Smug and design are not a good mix.
Self doubt crept in. Then I read Audrey's posts. There are three, all about value in scrap quilts. I commend you to read them. Afterwards absorbing her posts, I felt that I needed to do some tidying up. It was time to suck it in and remove all but the red/pink hourglass blocks.
Starting to look more controlled but was I losing the scrap nature that I was after? As well, in spite of having around 400 little hourglasses, there wasn't enough of any one colour range. It would mean that more of them would have to be sewn. Not such a delightful concept.
Perhaps adding some more control would improve the quilt. Still scrappy because lots of different fabrics were used, but not haphazard because some rules were being imposed.
Now the nine patches were all yellow and cream instead of a range of colours. I'm not sure that scrappy nature of the quilt has been enhanced.
I do know that the original concept of using up my orphan hourglass blocks has been abandoned. I find myself sewing lots of nine patch blocks and having to add to an already vast quantity of 3" hourglasses. My helper meant well...
Before I go I thought I'd show you something I bought just yesterday.
Then my critic walked by and casually offered "It looks a bit busy."
It's not a good picture and I'm sorry about the poor light etc but there is no other picture of the arrangement to show you. I managed to use a few of the many, many hourglass blocks I had made previously and was feeling pretty smug. That was my first mistake. Smug and design are not a good mix.
Self doubt crept in. Then I read Audrey's posts. There are three, all about value in scrap quilts. I commend you to read them. Afterwards absorbing her posts, I felt that I needed to do some tidying up. It was time to suck it in and remove all but the red/pink hourglass blocks.
Starting to look more controlled but was I losing the scrap nature that I was after? As well, in spite of having around 400 little hourglasses, there wasn't enough of any one colour range. It would mean that more of them would have to be sewn. Not such a delightful concept.
Perhaps adding some more control would improve the quilt. Still scrappy because lots of different fabrics were used, but not haphazard because some rules were being imposed.
Now the nine patches were all yellow and cream instead of a range of colours. I'm not sure that scrappy nature of the quilt has been enhanced.
I do know that the original concept of using up my orphan hourglass blocks has been abandoned. I find myself sewing lots of nine patch blocks and having to add to an already vast quantity of 3" hourglasses. My helper meant well...
Before I go I thought I'd show you something I bought just yesterday.
Aren't they cute. If you aren't able to enlarge the photos they say "A Handmade Gift for You" and "Sewn with Love". They won't replace labels but I think they will make a nice addition to a couple of quilts that I am giving away.
11 comments:
Aren't scrap quilts SUPPOSED to look busy? : )
Love those little tags. Very cute!
My DH says every scrap quilt is too busy...I usually end up adding a neutral inner border and a mild border to make him happy! I like all you versions...do what makes you happy!
Audrey’s post were very informative. I have a terrible time with scrap quilts. Your is looking great.
I love each version of your quilt!! To me, the scrapper the better!! It's a beautiful quilt for sure!!
Oh my. I just love the idle comments our families throw out! I think you're the only one who knows where you intend to go with this.:)Best of luck getting there!
I like the way you play. Scrappy looks so good after tweaking.
Being a busy piece does not bother me. Some control by repeating will give it a less busy look but do whatever makes you happiest.
i think your quilt looks good scrappy. I like the nine patches. To me, the only thing missing is a really dark dark, like black to add sparkle and pop.
those tags are adorable!!
I like each version you posted.
How fun to have stacks of completed blocks to play with!
The tags a very nice and will compliment a quilty gift.
I have read her posts and have them earmarked for future reference. It's interesting to see and read about your color play here. Maybe it does look a little more cohesive with your change, but then again I LOVE scrappy…and busy, well, I guess "busy" up to a point…..of course, isn't that the way it always goes too….you have to make MORE 'cause there's never enough of what you need…LOL!
I really like this!!
I love this quilt and was going to PIN but wanted to see if there was a pattern name first! LOVE this scrap happy quilt!! LOVE IT!! Now I hope you don't mind that it is going into my Pinterest board of Scrap Happy Quilts!!
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