Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Oh NOOOOOO!


So...I got all (minus one) of my blocks done for the P.S. I Quilt - A - Long and there is only one problem.  I do NOT like it.  I feel like it's missing something.  Like sashing?  maybe an alternating solid block?  something...

I thought I was completely on board with a postage stamp style quilt...

What do you do when you are mid project and suddenly fall out of love with it?

20 comments:

  1. Oh, I think it looks really great Jenny! But if you're unhappy with it, maybe you could make the last block in a different pattern as a focal point and place it somewhere that's pleasing to your eye?

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  2. I like it. Have you tried laying some fabric next to it like a boarder? Maybe you'll like it more if it has a border to help make the prints pop more.

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  3. I like it the way it is! But what about putting a light colored sashing up there to see how you like it? Those blocks aren't sewn together yet, right? I'm thinking white or a pale color.

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  4. I found some ideas for you :-)
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/37360130@N07/4634187644/in/faves-maiestia/
    http://www.fratkin.com/teri/vintage-quilts/
    and this is my favourite:
    http://labelleavenue.com/blog/free-quilt-pattern/
    Hope that helps ♥

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  5. I vote for a thin border in one of those yellow prints then a thin border of the solid, then a thick border of the grey. And I think this is a quilt that will really pop when it's quilted. What color are you quilting it in? How about the grey or yellow? Or even a red?

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  6. That is the story of my life. I am so super bummed when I have such grand expectations for a quilt and then it's like, "oh. i'm underwhelmed" So I feel your pain,but I have no resolution for you. But it sounds like others do!

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  7. Well, I like it so far! I do think a narrow border in a light color (I'd go with white)would give the eye a break, then an outer border in something turquoise or close to it in value, maybe even a print that brings in the other colors. Just a suggestion.

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  8. oooh, tough one! I've been at this impasse before and it really stinks! I think a "pop" would work. how do you feel about adding some solid red? that would pull out the red that's already in there. I was thinking a border, but wouldn't that throw off the block dimensions? what about red binding? would that be enough? hmm...it looks like you're short one bock, but how about moving the block above the empty space down and then adding a single red block in its place along with red binding? (essentially a solid red block in the lower right quadrant, assuming that the top and bottom of the quilt are at the sides in the above photo). And it sure doesn't have to be red--use whatever color you like best--the soft brown would be very calming.
    p.s. my impasse is still sitting in the UFO pile! I hope you get some ideas that suit your fancy!

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  9. Well, I think that it's great, and I'll bet you will, too when it's done and quilted, and on a bed. If you liked postage stamps, you probably still do!
    I'll be curious to see how you proceed.

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  10. I totally get it. All that work and you're just remotely satisfied. I love the suggestion of red - perhaps window pane each of the blocks with a thin red sash?

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  11. PLAY PLAY PLAY! there are so many things you could do to this! let go of what you think it should be, and play with it till it tells you what it should be!

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  12. You send it to ME LOL!!! I'm sorry you don't love it anymore -- I sure do. When I first saw it, I thought -- how fun that you used a color instead of white. I love seeing how different people make the same pattern.

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  13. I don't know Jenny, it looks fabulous to me. Love that turquoise colour. Perhaps a bright red binding? xo

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  14. I feel your pain... you just gotta keep rolling with it. I recently made a New Wave (Oh Fransson) quilt where I loved the fabrics together before they were cut. Then when the whole thing was pieced I HATED it. The quilting changed everything - now it's one of my favorite creations :)

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  15. Oh no Jenny! I have been there before in the "blah" zone. I don't have any suggestions, but I like some of the ones above. I do love the fabric... I'm sure it's one of those that would look great finished. It's hard to continue on though if aren't feeling it... I'll be watching to see what you do. Wish I could help more!

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  16. Oh- sorry- I have been there. Why not set is aside for a bit and then have another peek at it later. Maybe you are focusing on it too much. Then if you don't like it still...just keep playing with it...maybe 3 blocks that are totally different splashed throughout...something to move your eye from one point to another. You have done a magnificent job and lots of piecing. What a fun challenge!

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  17. You've gotten lots of ideas. My first thought was that it was overwhelming, perhaps you could use these squares for 2 separate, smaller quilts, and do different things with them. My second thought was to use some red.

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  18. Oh that looks like a lot of work for you to not like it now. Maybe it needs breaking up a little. Not sure how but looks like you've got lots of suggestions here. I do like that blue solid though. I like the idea of throwing in some different blocks to keep the eye moving around it. Intersting to see what you come up with.

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  19. It's a little cliche, but I actually think you should add white borders to separate larger blocks... like the quilt here:

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/ohfransson/4784466577/in/faves-maiestia/

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  20. I think it looks fine. The color is bold so maybe that's why you don't like it? I was thinking something gray would look good with it. Maybe the border, now that you pieced it?

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