Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Small bits of Progress

A couple weeks ago, I won a 12" square giveaway that Kate was hosting. She had received the blocks in a swap, and decided not to do anything with them. I got 25 in all, but since one was actually stiched with an error, I opted to use just 24, and make 2 smaller quilt tops for Project Linus. Though not entirely obvious from the photo, they are done from batiks. I separated them into 12 that looked more feminine (ie, pinks & yellows), and 12 that better suit a boy. Girly ones were sashed with a bold purple print, and the boy with a blue. I will also bind the quilts with these fabrics. I am undecided on an outer border. The quilts are currently 40" x 54", which is a good size for a child, and works for me since my roll of batting is 45" wide! Thanks Kate!!
Here's another set of blocks I got in a swap. This is all but 2 of the 8" New York Beauty blocks I got from the birthday block swap. I have all but given up hope on getting the other two (which the quilt top is obviously missing!!). It's too bad when swappers don't live up to their end of an obligation, especially after receiving one's own month of blocks. These blocks run the complete gamut. Some need a little repairing - some stitches came lose in transit. One had to have some picking out because I thought that it ought to have a few points showing. And one I am not yet sure what to do with, as there is a huge (over 0.5") chunk missing because it somehow came out out of square.
The color combination is very hot. I like that. I can not say I totally enjoyed making the 2 of these that I did, or that I look forward to the prospect of making 2 more! But it's interesting...Maybe I will ditch my 2 least favorite and make the quilt smaller :-) As for the arrangement, I have no idea how I will place them. Despite the seemingly critial critique here, the gals that made the blocks did a fantastic job. Thank you- Kate, Helen, Amy, Terri, Julie, Michele, and Anne (and 2 more who's names are just escaping me tonight).

9 comments:

Desiree said...

Can you find a batik with those background colors and just use it as 2 big squares of fabric, in place of the two blocks? Kind of mess around with the layout and see if you can make it work with out having to piece any more new york beauty blocks? Those are gorgeous but I am NOT brave enough to make them!

Paula, the quilter said...

Just use the 2 least favorite blocks on the back or make them into potholders. Don't stress yourself out making more of them.

Ginger said...

Those New York Beauties look great! I have made one of those blocks, and hope to get more made one day. They are so beautiful! Your colors choices do look HOT! :-)

Anonymous said...

I love what you did with the blocks from kate, they are very pretty quilts. The NY beauty blocks are HOT!! They will make a gorgeous quilt. (I do paper-piecing but don't get how you are suppose to put those together, to many curves!)

Unknown said...

Great colour choices. I look forward to seeing the end result. Maybe if you found them hard or less than enjoyable to make yourself its understandable that others also struggled with your request for this block?

Vicki W said...

Great idea for the blocks from Kate. As for the others, that's one reason that I din't participate in block swaps. People mean well but there's always someone who can't participate at the last minute and we all measure 1/4" differently!

jovaliquilts said...

Both quilts are lovely. American Beauties have always been one of my favorites, but I feel kind of like you said about making them -- not my favorite, but I'd make another block or two. I'm not sure I'm up for making a full size quilt, though.

Sara said...

I love the patterns of your birthday blocks. Did those come from a specific source? Are the paper pieced? RE: whether or not to make 2 more squares....my thought (b/c I like to get this finished) is to make it a smaller size.

Helen said...

Ohhhhhhh, love those NYB blocks! Stunning!!! Shame the last two weren't made for you.