I finished this quilt top three weeks ago, but it seems much longer. Graphic Nature (AKA: Graphic Second Chance Quilt) was put aside waiting for me to find the gumption to finalize the quilting design.
The graphic design still makes me happy. A little color, black, white, along with the crisp clean layout is a pleasing aesthetic to me.
I struggle on quilting this. I asked myself over and over 'how, what and why' over and over, never really getting a good answer. One idea was to stitch in the ditch around the blocks, I did. I tiny bit of free motion quilting inside the blank squares, done. Three fourths of the quilt has random width of horizontal lines, the last quarter is vertical lines much like a column chart.
I haven't played with a backing for a while, so this one got the VIP treatment. Use some fabric, use some scraps and 'make it work'! I must have turned a corner! I was ripping fabric left and right without a care in the world, not my normal practice!
The top color is Kona Ice Frappe, the middle Kona Sour Apple and the bottom is New Spray Green. Another win win on the row of blocks on the back! I've had that text print squirreled away waiting for the right project, this was it!
The black binding surprised me! I like how it frames the backing, but love how it blends in with some of the blocks on the front. You'd almost think I planned that, which I didn't!
The new bundle of joy!
You know the feeling I'm talking about! Finished, washed and folded...and done!
Truth is I'm not blown away with the quilting I did on this one. Apparently on the day of quilting, my mojo took the day off! I can beat myself up or I can try harder on the next one! Have you ever felt like that?
I was disappointed in myself for a while, but it didn't last long this time...highly unusual!
LINKING:
A finished quilt is better than a perfect quilt... I think of that quote from Angela Walters every time I start to beat myself up about a decision. It doesn't always silence my inner critic, but you know, it has helped a lot. The backing is really fun and the binding is a great choice for both front and back - a great two sided quilt! Congratulations on the finish. :)
ReplyDeleteI was thinking about the Angela Walters quote with this one too! I know I'll make another quilt and I can make up for my laziness on this one! Plus, there is an extra bonus with the back!
DeleteQuilting this one was never going to be easy, but you don't take the easy route do you? Instead you showed us a quilt that shouted WOW! Look At Me! The quilting you did goes well with the design, the quilt doesn't need fancy quilting, it has enough going for it without that. In fact I would go so far as to say anything but simple quilting would detract from the quilt. I love it.
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Kate
It didn't even occur to me that the front is plenty busy and simple quilting was a good way to go! I sometimes forget that I don't need to quilt every thing in to submission, that simple can be just as effective! You made me feel so much better about my decision now!
DeleteI'm glad that your disappointment didn't last long. I agree with both Yvonne and Kate. This quilt stands on it''s own.
ReplyDeleteChoosing a quilting design is ALWAYS the hardest for me! The vertical lines with some horizontal and other designs look great! No need to be disappointed over this one!
ReplyDeleteI think straight lines were a perfect choice for this one. Nice simple lines really allow the piecing on the front and back to shine. Another great finish!
ReplyDeleteI think its easy to look back and see things we could have done differently, beating ourselves up over it is harder to let go of! I am glad I went simple with this one.
DeleteLovely! I really like your use of 'leftover blocks! And yes, what the black binding does to some of the blocks is awesome!
ReplyDeleteI love this quilt and what you did with the backing is fantastic. I gasped when you said the quilting disappointed you. I love love love the straight line quilting. It was the perfect choice.
ReplyDeleteThat is really wonderful. I love the bold graphic design and the subtle colors are perfect in there.
ReplyDeleteYour style is Graphic in Nature. And I could never get enough of it! If you put one of your quilts in a room full of others, I would know... This was made by my friend, Jayne! I love the quilting.... Keeps this one nice and cuddly!
ReplyDeleteJayne you are too hard on yourself. This quilt didn't need fancy quilting, because the design speaks for it. I know there is a trend to quilt, quilt, quilt everything, but the truth is for me is that although I appreciate the artistry, I don't feel that most of my work calls for or would be enhanced by that kind of quilting. It's a fabulous piece, and I think the quilting is perfect.
ReplyDeleteLove it!! It's awesome. And the back is also awesome. Great job!
ReplyDeleteI think you did an amazing job on this one. The quilt is really about the bold blocks and your simer quilting lets them shine! Nice work!
ReplyDeleteI like to bold and vibrant look of the quilt. The back is my favorite part of this one. I can't say why, just that I love it. I'm also curious about your hanging rod. Is that one of those ikea rods with the hangers? I think I might put one of those up in my sewing room.
ReplyDeleteThe hanging rod is a basic curtain rod and hardware. The rod itself is two pieces in order to hang quilts of all widths!
DeleteYou are too hard on yourself, I think. Not all quilting needs to be earth-shattering; sometimes the simple lines are just right, and this is a good case in point. I like the pieced back and your black binding a lot.
ReplyDeleteI really like the simple quilting on this one. The design doesn't really need it, but at the same time the quilting enhances the design by emphasizing the straight lines. And since I'm partial to pieced backs, you know I like this one. Two sided quilts rock!
ReplyDeleteJayne, what a fantastic TGIFF addition! The quilting is perfect for this - really love the way it complements the design without distracting from it. Huge success. LOVE that back with it, too.
ReplyDeleteI had to snicker when I saw 'second chance' in your title. Yeah! I love this little quilt because there's so many original blocks playing well with each other. I like the little inconsistencies, and how the pastel and graphic backing pulls it all together. Meh, never beat yourself up over a not so perfect part of a quilt. Chances are you're the only one who ever knows it. Give yourself the second chance, too. It's a beauty.
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