This block went really quickly after taking too long to choose colors and fabrics. I went back and forth about the background--light or medium, print or not. I lightly printed background would have been fine because of the plainness of the block. I'll be thinking about that as I choose fabrics for the next block.
I switched out the fabric for the vase from the one I originally chose. You can see the other fabric for the vase here. I liked it, especially the colors, but when realized it was a batik I know I couldn't like stitching through such tightly-woven fabric.
These are photos of the fabrics I used. There's nothing like close-up photos to see what my old eyes miss. Stray threads, not-quite-tight stitches, etc....
The pattern called these blue tulips but I've never seen blue tulips so stitched red ones. The leaves aren't quite tulip leaves, either, but I used them anyway.
Ready for Block B. Maybe I'll start it today.
I'm linking this post to
> BOMs Away at What a Hoot Quilts
> Midweek Makers at Quilt Fabrication
> Finished or Not Friday at Busy Hands Quilts
Thanks for hosting, ladies.
--Nancy.
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I just love your red tulips!! So pretty!!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Julie.
DeleteThis is very pretty.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Michelle.
DeleteYour flower block is very pretty. I have my top from that pattern done but need to make a backing and have it quilted.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Karen. Cathy told me that you and she had make the quilt together a few years ago. Did you post photos then? I would love to see your version. I couldn't find photos on her blog. I have quilts that need backing, layering, and quilting, too. Sometimes I think making a quilt top goes much faster than quilting (esp. hand quilting).
DeleteSlick move to the black vase. I don't like to hand stitch through batiks or hand dyed fabrics either because of the tightness of the fabric, but I think it adds to showing the stitches afterward. Also, the red and black contrast is spot on. Keep plugging. This will be a keeper.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Julie. You're probably right that the stitching shows more on batiks but I'm glad I changed the fabric. The fabric I'm using now is really a very dark blue but I guess it must appear black in photos. I hope I like this quilt when it's finished. Most of the flowers are pretty quirky and will offer me some serious stitching challenges. I hope I'm up to them.
DeleteBeautiful flowers!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Shasta.
DeleteFunny how we agonize over fabric choices but they are usually beautiful in the end! And, my eyes must be older than yours because I don't see anything wrong with your stitches!!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Wendy. It's probably because I can zoom in to the blocks even more than in the post that I can see where there's room for improvement.
DeleteI don't know if other quilters agonize over colors, too, because few quilters talk/write about it. I always assume that it's easy for others and I know they always look great in the end. And I guess we're most critical of our own work, too.
Very pretty block! Your applique is perfection.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Nancy. You're very generous.
DeleteThe block turned out very well. I like your final choice on the vase fabric. Some batiks are impossible to needle, and others aren't so bad. You have to do what works for you.
ReplyDeleteI've never seen blue tulips, either. Red is always a good tulip choice. :)
Thank you, Janet. Yes, red is a safe color for tulips, isn't it? I thought about the coral/salmon color range but couldn't commit to it. Maybe one of the other flowers will "want" that color.
DeleteI don't have many batiks and the ones I have are mostly small pieces/scraps from others but I've found all of them to be too dense to quilt easily. Maybe my hands are just getting old....
I think this block turned out so nice. I love the red tulips. I can't imagine it with blue tulips. One thing I admire about you is that your start a project and see it through to the end before you start something new. I wish I was more like that.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Robin.
DeleteYou won't admire that about me when I tell you that I have 3 or 4 quilts in progress right now. One is on hold till I get more C.W. blues and greys. Another became boring but at least I haven't put the fabric away yet (which is a sure sign I woouldn't get back to it for a while). And the other is this Flowers applique quilt. And, of course, I'm about to continue on Sweet Land of Liberty now that the eagle has made himself visible again. Ideally I would have three quilts in varying stages going at the same time: applique for travel; blocks for the machine; and hand quilting while visiting, listening to scriptures, or watching TV. I just need to get a quilt ready to quilt. I have the other two covered.
This is a great block...you obviously made wonderful choices with a smashing tulip result.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Jocelyn. You're so kind to say so.
DeleteI'm with Wendy - I don't see any glitches in your stitches either!
ReplyDeleteI love the style of this pattern, so I'm looking forward to watching you make it.
Thanks, Gayle. You and Wendy are both so kind. The flowers in the quilt are some of the quirkiest and most creative I've seen, and they'll offer great challenges to my applique skills, too. We'll see how it goes!
DeleteI'm with you - never seen blue tulips! But then again, there is artistic license!
ReplyDeleteYou're so right, Susan. Sometimes I take a lot of artistic license but sometimes, as in this block, I don't get that far.
Delete