Saturday, September 12, 2020

The Conversation I Overheard

maple leaf quilt blocks in autumn colors

In a previous post I showed photos of possible border fabrics for these leaves.  (So many of you weighed in on your preferences and shared your observations.  Thank you!)   I left the potential border fabrics around the edges until I finally narrowed down the choice to the teal/blue fabrics, leaving only those.  As I glanced at the quilt while walking by one day I thought I overheard this conversation.

The border fabrics said, "Look!  We are the perfect color for this quilt.  We look great with you leaves in the center."

To which the leaves replied, "You are not perfect for us.  You are too loud and noisy.  You want to claim all the attention and overpower.  We are the center and focus of this quilt.  We don't want you.  Go away and stay away!"

My first thought was, Gosh, those leaves are really bossy.  And then I thought, But they're right.  All the time I'd been admiring the beauty of the color of the border fabric without thinking of what the leaves really needed so they could be the focus of the quilt.

When I first made this top and posted it, just before I folded it up to work on again later, I think it was Lizzy who suggested no border.  I was so tired of making leaves I didn't want to hear it.  But this time, when the leaves said they didn't want a border and the quilt was a tad small without a one, I dug deep, came up with 17 more autumn fabrics for leaves, and stitched them around two sides of the quilt.  And the leaves are happy.  It's now 8 blocks x 10 blocks and approximately 72" x 90".   (It will shrink with quilting and after being washed and dried.)  Perfect for a twin bed or an afternoon nap.

Good photos are hard to come by--we've had either glaring sun or stormy, grey clouds, and I'm not a great photographer, anyway--but here are a few.  None shows the true colors.

maple leaf quilt blocks in autumn colors

I love this autumn quilt.  It brings to mind some of the things I love about fall....  Sunlight dazzling through leaves on the trees, the swirl of leaves drifting to the ground, and kicking through bright leaves on a walk.  I'm looking forward to fall.  It's my favorite season.

maple leaf quilt blocks in autumn colors

I hope I can find backing fabric that does justice to the autumn colors of this quilt.  If you happen to see a great fabric maybe you could let me know?

maple leaf quilt blocks in autumn colors

Do your quilts ever argue, make demands, or carry on conversations?  Mine seem to more often than not (and sometimes I wish they wouldn't!).

I'm linking this post to
> Finished or Not Finished Friday at Alycia Quilts
> Peacock Party at Wendy's Quilts and More
> Brag About Your Beauties at From Bolt to Beauty
Thanks for hosting, ladies.

Thanks so much for visiting!
--Nancy.

25 comments:

  1. Yes, they are noisy things!! LOL! Love your quilt!

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  2. i love fall too and this is a perfect representation of autumnal beauty

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  3. I can hear them discussing my "bad choices" in their closets and drawers..."...can you believe what she thought would look good for me??" They sound very exasperated--almost as much as I get!! ;)))
    This is such a glorious Autumnal quilt--love the leaf colors against those background blocks...nice work hugs, julierose

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    1. Thank you, Julierose.  If your quilts are discussing your "bad choices" I doubt their credibility.  You make beautiful quilts!

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  4. Oh, it's wonderful! I'm glad you could find enough fabric to make more leaves. Yes, my quilts talk to me or should I say above me. They are always smarter than I am and don't hesitate to remind me. This will be a great quilt to hand-quilt, I don't think I would ever tire of it.

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    1. Thank you, Robin.  I'm glad I had enough different fabrics, too!  I'm looking forward to hand quilting it, trying to decide what pattern or whether to just go with the leaves....
      It's hard to believe your quilts talk above you, Robin.  Maybe it's you and the quilts together that make such beautiful ones!

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  5. I LOVE your fall quilt! Fall is my favorite season too with its cooler weather. I really enjoyed your post and I think the leaves were right - no border is perfect!

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    1. Thank you so much for your comments, Quiltpiecer.  I hope I can find a backing so I can quilt this beginning this fall!

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  6. It's TRUE, sometimes the quilts know better than us!

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    1. It's true, Jenny.  And it seems to be taking me a while to learn it and believe it!  But I'm getting better at listening.

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  7. Very fun post! Sadly my quilts don't say much. I'm so glad you listened to me [for once]...swirling autumn leaves do not have borders. I love this so much!

    lizzy

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    1. Thank you, Lizzy.  I always listen to/read what you say!  I just choose to go my own way, mostly.  In this case, you were on it for knowing what this quilt needed.  I was just so sick of making leaves when you first suggested it.  I can hardly wait to begin quilting this.  I just have to find backing fabric (and finish Blue and Gray) first.

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  8. Oh goodness - my quilts argue with me all the time! I'm glad you came to a truce with yours - what a gorgeous leafy quilt!

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    1. LOL.  It's hard to believe your quilts argue with you, Gayle.   You seem to keep them in hand so well!  Thanks for your kind words about this quilt.

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  9. Oh those leaves - they are so opinionated - ha ha ha!! this is just a beautiful quilt!!

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    1. Thank you, Alycia.  LOL.  Some blocks just don't know how to cooperate, I guess.

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  10. More blocks??? The perfect "border" for this quilt!! :o))

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  11. It's a beautiful fall quilt and I'm glad you "listened" to the leaves;). I hope you find just the right backing for it! Fall is right around the corner!

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    1. Thank you, Cynthia.  I hope I can find a good backing fabric, too, and soon, because I'd love to quilt this next.

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  12. Love your quilt, it is perfect as it is

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  13. I love the colours of your autumn leaves and am glad you let them keep the lime light to themselves. The backgrounds remind me of kicking leaves on the green grass in the park, but also the leaves glowing in front of a bright blue sky. It will be a great snuggly quilt for autumn.

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    1. Thank you, Janice!  While the quilt was laid out I kept trying to decide if I should think of them as leaves on the ground or looking through leaves on trees.  It's fun that you have a similar impression of them.  I hope I can get backing fabric soon so I can have this ready to quilt when I finish the one I'm working on now.  It seems like a great time to quilt it.

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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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