The rules are make something quilted, something you have never done before and only use Riley Blake 'The Cottage Garden' Collection. You can buy more fabric from this line, what ever you need above and beyond the free bundle.
This was the bundle that was mailed out to members. I did buy one additional fabric. A 1/2 yard of the grey solid. Just in case, I figured it was grey and I can always use that color!
Where will I go with this? Heck if I know! I wasn't sure what I was going to do at all. I knew that I was only going to allow myself to use the free bundle and the half yard of grey. Nothing more. That means I followed the rules...something new. (yes, I am pushing it)
And, I knew I wanted to paper piece something (not new). Only this time I would combine different patterns and twist, cut and twiddle with it. (new)
The pattern above is 'Rockstar' from Diane Bohn: From Blank Pages blog. I love the shapes, but they were going to change.
Now to figure out how to make them go together. After turning, twisting and eventually cutting, I came up with this design.
I had to sew partial seams which just about killed me! I don't think my calculating was correct, but it eventually came together.
See how wonky they turned out? It happens. I kept thinking that some good old quilting will take care of the issues!
Sewn together in one lovely large block. I have to admit that by this time I was hating it. What was I thinking? I'm not sure, but I knew this 'thing' was not going to see the light of day, let alone be entered in the challenge!
But I forced myself to keep going. I added the left over pieces from the 'Rock Star' blocks around the center. Then grabbed the rotary cutter and sliced an improv border with flower print. Done. I have never combined the precise method of paper piecing with improv...New!
 |
| 16" x 16" Pillow Cover |
I used my very limited free motion quilting skills to finish it off. Go for it! Quilt the hell out of it, it will be fine...
In all honesty, I threw up my hands in frustration by now! Just quilt it, wash it and chalk it up to a lesson learned!
After washing, after the crinkle action happened, I then felt much better about this pillow. I'm not saying I love it. I'm saying I don't hate it any longer!
I kind of feel bad that my attempt at this challenge didn't work out so well. I'm sure there were plenty of people who wished they had been able to get one of these bundles when the challenge was first announced. And I'm sure they would have made some thing fantastic.
I now know that if you aren't in love...love...love with a fabric line or color combination, there is no way you can make something that you love. I'm proud that I finished and happy that I did complete the challenge.
Did you take the Riley Blake Challenge? Did you have difficult time with it?
LINKING:
