Quick and easy was thrown out the window in no time. Keeping it simple was replaced by 'just one more'! One batch of blocks was just not hitting the spot. About the only thing that remained the same was black and white.
It's the way I like to work. Plan...what plan?! Make it up as you go and in the end it'll look like I knew exactly what I was doing or wanted. One thing always leads to another working this way.
These blocks were the starting point. They provoked me, prodded me and in the end forced me to 'make them pretty'. They were intended to be a part of my Optical Illusion quilt from last year, but didn't quite make the cut. How could they...I totally messed them up!
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| 4" blocks |
I framed the center blocks with the 1" strips and added the outside border to make each block 7 1/4". Not real sure how I decided on that size!
I also had some black and white strips cut, so I quickly made some nine patch center blocks for another added element. I like where this is going!
I placed them on my design wall, twisted, turned and wracked my brain to make it work...it didn't. I considered using solid black and white squares to 'grow' it bigger, it just wasn't working.
Back to the drawing board in my head again.
Which resulted in these blocks. I picked white as the background so that the quilt didn't become heavy. I didn't want the quilt to become weighed down with dark, black would not have been a good choice!
More blocks were still needed. Really? Where did the 'quick' finish go?!
That block on the bottom right...it was a valiant effort on my part. I thought I could introduce the polka dot fabric in to the design, but it wasn't meant to be. Talk about weighing a quilt down! It felt like a lead weight and they were quickly set aside.
I kept making, experimenting, trying to make this 'quick' quilt come together. A few improv, some wonkyness and some normal blocks made the final cut. In the end, I used ever piece of white I had on hand! I just barely, barely made it!
It should end up to be about 40" x 54", not huge, not small...just right! It has a scrappy, graphic, funky vibe to it. When I started it felt like a race car theme was developing.
That was not at all where I wanted this quilt to end up! Luckily, I don't think it did! For now, it is sandwiched, pinned and ready to quilt. One day it will happen.
All blocks deserve a second chance. They need not sit in a dark corner, on a dark shelf, way in the back, forgotten. A little imagination, determination, configuration...and time on your hands can develop and evolve in to something amazing!
LINKING:
Hi Jayne! This became fantastic! How fun it is that we don't know in the beginning what the result will be! Usually it is something else than we planned because the ideas grow as we work. I really like this even I don't have black on my palet. But grey I like a lot and this could be made with dark or different greys, too. x Teje
ReplyDeleteI do enjoy the 'struggles' of not having a plan when starting a quilt like this. It can go from one thing to something completely different in a matter of hours! I could see doing something like this in grey too! Now look what you've done…giving me ideas again!
DeleteVery interesting quilt Jayne ! The nine patch centre blocks really add something to the design. I love working without plan too. Actually I find it hard now to make a quilt using a plan ! ;-)
ReplyDeleteI tried to keep a little 'order' to the chaos I was sure would happen with this quilt! I find designing without a plan, design or pattern a challenge! One that I seem to love taking on time and time again!
DeleteOf course I love it. It's got a fun energy to it. But I like the blocks with the polka dot frames as well. What are you going to do with those?
ReplyDeleteIt's a little funky, but I do like how it all came together in the end. Once a good quilting idea to hits me, I can get that finished too! I ended up cutting the polka dot blocks up and using the centers. Luckily I did since I used all my white fabric for this!
Deletelove your modern block layout quilt!
ReplyDeleteI am just happy those orphan blocks aren't hanging around any longer!
DeleteI love it! It came out great.
ReplyDeleteIt feels like a big weight has been lifted off my shoulders! I seem to stress when I have stray blocks laying around!
DeleteI remember the illusion quilt and the orphan blocks. I love where this took you and think the black and white checkers with touches of color do give it a racing vibe or a great 50s diner vibe.
ReplyDeleteEvery once in a while I get to the point where stray blocks get the best of me. And nine times out of ten they lead to much more than I expected them too! The racing theme has thrown me for a loop, but I'm trying to look past that!
DeleteLOVE this. I really really think this is smashing. Looking forward to seeing it quilted.
ReplyDeleteGreat job! I love to just let a quilt build itself. Glad you got those cute little orphan blocks out to start the process. Have fun quilting!
ReplyDeleteI love the way you put it…most of the time I do let the quilt build itself! The quilting is a whole other matter!
DeleteIt turned out great! Any plans for quilting? - or "what plans?!" again? You remind me of my guilty secret - some eight blocks left over from my very first sampler still sitting in a dark corner (literally)))
ReplyDeleteI wish I had a plan for the quilting! I'm sure it will come to me, right now I'm blank! It isn't uncommon or unusual to have a few blocks left over or stashed in a dark corner somewhere! I get to where it bugs me and I have to deal with it!
Deleteoh this is great fun! The process AND the quilt! I love it!
ReplyDeleteI love the way you work! I need to take lessons from you!! Love EVERYTHING about this quilt, except that it is not quilted yet!! But, no pressure!
ReplyDeleteThe way I work is a cross between chaos and control! When I set my mind to something (stray blocks for example), I have to go and keep going until I get it done!
DeleteOh, I love the way you create and wish I had more of that in me! Look where it ended up Jayne - a fun, funky, playful, lighthearted quilt. Simply fabulous!
ReplyDeleteIt never gets old…starting with a little idea and making the rest of it work! I'm not sure it's the best method, but it usually works for me!
DeleteWhat a great quilt! I LOVE it!!!
ReplyDeleteStunning quilt. I loved watching it on Instagram. All together it's perfection.
ReplyDeleteI love the process of how this one came together. And the additions of the color solids added the perfect pop of color.
ReplyDeleteThis is the best way to work, I think. Look what comes out of the depths of your mind when you don't plan too much! It's really striking and you got the black/white balance spot on.
ReplyDeleteFabulous! Love the small bits of color.
ReplyDeleteLOVE it and not a race car in sight!!! I saw those words on IG and I didn't see it then either. Oh this is just stunning - how it came about has made me laugh you certainly did go down that rabbit hole but what a wonderful result!
ReplyDeleteSome quilts are just meant to be, and this is one of them. You nailed it Jayne, simple as.
ReplyDeleteSmiles
Kate
Wow, I love how this quilt just grew and grew into such a cool piece of art. Thanks for sharing your process. It's amazing. But now I want to know what you'll do with that "heavy" block you rejected. It looks like the beginning of another quilt to me...
ReplyDeleteOh how I love your perseverence! and good on you for using unused/unloved blocks, this is indeed a fantastic design, we just never know where 'winging' will take us do we!?!
ReplyDeleteIt's pretty cool, Jayne. I have to say I'm really in love with the small offset squares - they always make me smile when I see them. What fun you had. I love improv so much.
ReplyDeleteNot that you need my 2 cents, but the quilt really is amazing! I laughed when I read, "Make it up as you go and in the end it'll look like I knew exactly what I was doing or wanted." You described my way of working perfectly. Don't you agree that the trick is to stick with it and be willing to admit when something doesn't work. Love the way you incorporated color into the b/w blocks. It's a stunning quilt!
ReplyDeleteThis one is a stunner. I can totally see this on a magazine cover. Jayne, your work is so fresh and inspiring.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Preeti.
The way that you can just run with an idea and make it up as you go along just amazes me. This is a fantastic finish! The black and white is what makes it so striking.
ReplyDelete