Lesson Learned - It's all about Scale

I have discovered "made fabric" blocks.  Made Fabric was coined by Virginia Findlay Wolfe.  For me, made fabric is one modern interpretation of crazy quilts or crumb quilts.  The whole creative process is quite soothing and very creative.  I have become addicted to making 8 1/2 inch made fabric blocks.

Now, what should I do with them.  After deciding on a simple sashing with some solid color blocks, I simply assumed the sashing should be 2" finished.

Wrong!

When I looked at the three first rows of the quilt all I could see is thick solid sashing.  The sashing totally overpowered the made fabric blocks.  All my creativity seemed to be wasted!

A simple adjustment to a 1" finished sashing was all that was needed to scale the sashing for the blocks.  Take a look at the reduced sashing on the right side of the photo.

So, ... the lesson learned is audition one block for scale before I go ahead and assemble 1/3 of a quilt. I don't find ripping to be a very creative process.

The positive in this was the wasted blocks were an opportunity to cut and sew yet another design.  Another new project in the works.

Following through - Completed Take Four Placemats

Completed 1 Old Project - Take Four Placemats

Yeh!  I often wonder what motivates a person to procrastinate completing a project.  The satisfaction of completing an old project is wonderful!  The sense of accomplishment makes me wonder why I didn't dive in and just get it done!  

Note to self, "Just do it!".  

"Take Four" is a wonderful fat quarter friendly placemat pattern.  The pattern is from www.quiltwoman.com .  I have seen it in brights and traditional quilting fabrics.  My guild has embraced this pattern and have made several sets of four placemats.  It has almost been like Rabbits, if you know what I mean.

I had completed four placemats, but alas with the welcome addition of my sons' girlfriends at the dinner table I had to make more.  So, this is the second set of four for my family.  

A little about me.  I am from a family of four, my sister and my parents.  For years the females at the table dominated the scene.  It is miracle my father survived.  As Karma would have it, I am the proud Mom to two sons aged 23 and 19.  One with a serious girlfriend that I adore and the other son reminding me daily that when it becomes serious I will be introduced!  I think there is a message there.  

So,.. with a completed project in hand I can move on to a new project. 

Modern Blend Challenge - A Modern Take on Village Green byThimbleberries

I confess, I am a card carrying member of the UFO Quilters.  I have "pigs" - projects in grocery bags, projects in pizza boxes and a couple more on their way in the mail!  In my quest to make a dent in these projects, I will be blogging this year to keep me honest in my quest to finish one old project for every new project I start.

Sound familiar anyone?

I just can't seem to part with any of my stash, so I'll just have to sew it all up!  My dear quilting friends know my style - anything worth doing I have to do well and some might say Over the Top.

So, down to business.

When I look back on my old quilt projects, I can't help but been amazed at the evolution of my pattern and fabric choices.  I have graduated from Thimbleberries to Jaybird Quilts and my own designs.  My stash is transforming into neutral taupes, Kona solids, polka dots and Basic Grey.

What better way to understand learning how to blend traditional quilting with modern quilting than to finish a 2010 Thimbleberries Club Lap Quilt as it was intended And take the same pattern and transform it modern.  

So, here we go!

So, here the original quilt in the "Dawn" color way.  As I progress with the blocks, I will continue to post the blocks; one block completed as intended and the other with a modern twist. 

A New Blend in the Making

Under construction, ...stay tuned!