Wednesday, May 7, 2014

String Play

I've been having fun playing with strings this week.

Because I have a lot of red and light-colored strings I considered putting together a block like this.
But I wasn't pleased.  Something about the size of the strings or the size of the blocks or the proportions between the two.  Maybe uniform sized strings would be better.  And as much as I love finished two-color quilts, I get bored making them.  I set those pieces aside.  

I moved on to log cabin blocks by themselves.  Each one is about 5" square with the narrowest logs being 3/8" sewn.)
I really do love log cabin blocks but I think they are most effective when the strings are narrow.  (The blocks in this quilt on pinterest are 3 1/2"-4".)  Most of my strings are at least an inch wide and I didn't think I wanted to waste the time and fabric cutting them narrower.  I laid those blocks aside, too.

Next I made some quarter log cabin blocks, like these.
Hmmm.  Maybe.  These are 4 1/2" blocks that will finish at 4".  Lots of color.  Bright.  Too much color?  Gosh, they are a lot of work.  I press seams after each log and then cut off excess to make the sides even.  It takes a lot of time, even with a system of sewing a dozen at a time.  These are some of the questions I asked when looking at these blocks:  Do they need more than just red centers to unify them?  The same red centers?  The same size red centers?  Should they be bigger?  Would it be better to have logs the same size?  Should I be concerned about wide logs?  But after all, it is a scrap quilt....  Do you ask yourself questions like these when you're in the process of beginning a quilt?

One more try.  These are 6" blocks in all brights, mediums, and darks.
These are perhaps not so time-consuming as the quarter cabins but the strings are longer, so probably the same amount of sewing time but less time cutting after each seam.  These look more peaceful than the quarter cabins.  Maybe....  The light squares would be formed from triangles at the corner of each block, probably all lights and different on each corner.

One of the challenges I face when I begin a quilt (without a pattern or when I'm not trying to make a quilt like one I've seen) is that I sometimes stop too soon.  Many blocks are more likely to give an idea of a finished quilt than a few blocks, but I quit after a few because I don't want to waste my time on blocks that won't become a wonderful quilt.  I need to give my ideas enough time (by making plenty of blocks) to know how a finished quilt might look. 

Hmmmm.  I've been busy this week but I haven't accomplished much.  And I'm trying to remember why I thought I liked sewing string quilts.  Mostly already cut?  Well, not exactly already cut.  Some of the strings are pretty shifty and uneven and have to be trimmed.  The time?  Unh-uh.  They take a long time to sew and press (because I press seams open to hand quilt).  And think about it:  the smaller the pieces of fabric, the more seams and time needed to make something large.  Being frugal?  Yes -- I'm not wasting much.  A jumble of colors?  Yes, I like many colors together if there's either some control of the colors or some pattern.  And it's fun to see what colors will look like together without committing to a whole quilt with just a few colors.

Some of the things I've been thinking about this week as I've stitched and ironed these blocks is the difference between seeing all of a quilt at one time, as in a photograph for display, and seeing only part of a quilt as it lays on my lap and feeling it around me.  There's a difference, isn't there?  The most beautiful quilt from a distance can be less than satisfying when seen in bits up close.  And if it doesn't feel good, it will probably be hung or folded for display and/or put in a closet and left there.  I want my quilts to be pleasing both in the overall view and up close, and I especially want them to be comfortable.

My quilt progress is like a guessing game.  Which will I choose?  Or which will I choose first?  Or will I choose something else?

I hope you're enjoying whatever you're doing.

I'm linking this post to
WOW (WIPs on Wednesday) at Esther's Blog hosted by Esther.
W.i.P. Wednesday at Freshly Pieced  at Lee's blog, hosted by Laura.
Let's Bee Social #19 at Sew Fresh Quilts hosted by Lorna.
Thanks, ladies.

--Nancy.
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16 comments:

  1. Food for thought. I make quilts for the sheer joy of playing with fabric. My piecing wont win awards, but I try my best ; )

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    1. Hi, Carla --
      I make quilts to play with fabric, too, and with colors, but I can get pretty crazy with my colors just for the fun of playing. Your quilts are beautiful (awards or not!)!

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  2. It is hard to decide what to do when you are not sure. My friend once told me when I was questioning or stressing over some quilting question is " this won't be your last quilt". I find that helpful. Good luck I am sure it will turn out wonderful and warm!

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    1. Hi, Beth. I think I am the mistress of indecision! Or maybe I just like to play too much.... It's a great thought to remember that it won't be my last quilt. Thanks for visiting and leaving a comment.

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  3. I really like the quarter log cabin blocks on point. They remind me of a Kaffe Fassett design. The stripes can be uneven because it's a scrap quilt. Have fun deciding what to do.

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    1. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Wendy. That one attracts me, too. It's always interesting to me to see how a quilt looks in a photograph posted on my blog. It somehow changes my perception of it. I didn't sew on the blocks at all today. We'll see what I pick up tomorrow!

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  4. I like the quarter log cabins, but perhaps you might consider making them red-tan-color-color? The tan, being lighter in value than the other pieces, stands out enough to tie them all together. The red centers alone might blend in to the logs a little? Just a suggestion. Have fun, whichever you choose! :)

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    1. Thanks for suggesting red/tan/color/color. I started with red/narrow-tan, then strayed to red/any-width-tan, then began playing with red/any-light-color. You can see that I haven't made too many blocks yet but looking at them, I agree that they need more than just red centers for unity. I also think it might work better not to have reds around the outside edge. I appreciate your input. Thanks!

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  5. Hi Nancy! I love bright and scrappy quilts. Each of your block designs fits into that category. Hope you enjoy the process and find you are satisfied with your progress and the time you spend sewing.... And thinking your projects through. For me, each quilt is a stepping stone on the learning curve.

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    1. Oh, gosh, yes, I learn so much with each quilt I make, Lorna. It's slow progress but I'm enjoying the process. Take care.

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  6. When I made my string quilt, my husband dared me to use whatever string I pulled out of the basket regardless of the color. That was very hard to do, but I love the way it turned out and everyone loves it. So, just go for it! I like your last two quilts the best. If you don't like it when you are done, either give it to a child as a gift or give it to charity!

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    1. I gave myself the same challenge a few quilts ago. I like the quilt but I wanted something a little more controlled this time. Donating is always a good thing! Thanks for visiting leaving a comment, Missy.

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  7. Any of these ideas would make a beautiful quilt, but my favorite is the last design. I love the scrappiness of the bright, random width string blocks combined with light squares which calm the design by providing a clear pattern. Whatever you decide, I know it will be wonderful.

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    1. Thanks for sharing your thoughts about the colors and layouts, Martha. Sometimes it takes someone objective to point out what she sees that I missed.

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  8. Nancy my eyes Zoomed in on the 1/4 log cabins, this is going to be a magical quilt from a distance and up close. They remind me of a quilt I saw years ago and then it clicked Fassett made a knitted quilt like these blocks years ago. !!!!!! May be I would stick to the same size red centre but the rest just go for it; it is so exciting. Cheers Glenda

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  9. I love the strings. So much magic happens when you sew without a plan. Wait until some inspiration strikes and assemble a quilt top. Have fun!

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I appreciate your comments and look forward to reading what you have to say. Thanks for stopping by.

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