As I was tidying up the sewing space the other day, I popped the lid on a box of black and white scraps left over from the black and white quilt of 2011 that I recently finished. I'd been meaning to make a string quilt from these at some point, but as I picked through the box, I noticed that a lot of the pieces were fairly short. So my original idea of string piecing them on the diagonal went swiftly out the window (the thought of sewing a lot of strings together end to end in order to make them long enough to string piece diagonally was not appealing).
However, I could just string piece them straight across a foundation, like onto a 7x11 inch phone book page. Then I'd have rectangles I could join together vertically, coin quilt style.
So I set about doing that. Long rows of only black and white seemed kind of boring, though, and as it happened, I had a scrap of the multicolored print from a recent quilt lying next to the cutting table. What if I used that print between the rectangles to break things up? And to set it off a bit more, how about bordering the top and bottom of the multi print with a strip of white?
Thus was the new plan hatched.
I was able to get 16 string pieced rectangles from the box of black and white scraps. Then it came time to remove the papers, a task best done while watching or listening to something interesting for an hour or so.
I arranged the rectangles into rows with a solid vertical sashing between them—and I did not like it. So I took away the sashing and just butted the vertical columns together against themselves, staggering the multicolored inserts. Better.
Now I'm in the process of sewing the rows together. I will end up with five rows across, a squarish shape measuring 30-something inches. I may do an outer border (or two), or I may just bind it as is.
I hope those of you in the U.S. are having a relaxing Labor Day. Hubs actually has to work today, poor guy. Someone's gotta make the cheese (literally and, I suppose, figuratively).
I felt a little out of sorts last week following the Memorial Day holiday. I think it was in part due to work picking up, which I am not complaining about. After all, it's what pays the bills and subsidizes my sewing. But I wasn't spending much time in my sewing room, and you know what they say about all work and no play. It makes P. crabby.
Something to that effect, anyway.
I was, however, mulling over a new quilt I wanted to start. Before I get into that, let me just say that I am going to talk about my process a bit. Although I have not taken the Process Pledge (yet), I fully support the underlying idea. I guess I'm just not ready to pledge because I can pretty much guarantee that I will have days when I just want to post some pictures and might not feel like elaborating on my process, or, quite possibly, the lack thereof. For those of you who have no such commitment issues, rock on! I really am fascinated by the process discussion. I just know I have a lazy streak and I already feel guilty enough about that.
Gee, I didn't overthink that at all, did I? Well, if I do get over myself on this issue, you will see a Process Pledge badge over there on the right. Maybe overthinking is just part of my process.
Anyway, this was my process regarding the quilt project, most of which took place in my head (surprise!) and on my ironing board as I auditioned fabric side by side:
- I would like to make this New Wave quilt.
- I love the modern design of it.
- But I don't have a lot of modern fabric in my stash.
- And I would like to use solely stash.
- I do have a few vintage fabrics I'd like to use.
- What if I incorporate both vintage and contemporary fabric in this quilt?
- I'd be aiming for sort of a Vintage Contemporary (I may have just made that term up) or Retro Mod vibe.
- My vintage fabrics are very disparate, though.
- This could be a problem (or challenge, to put a more positive spin on it).
- Perhaps the contemporary fabric could tie it all together somehow?
- For example, by pulling from the colors in the vintage fabrics.
- And since the pattern in one group of contemporary fabrics is the same, and I have that one in a variety of colors, the repetition of pattern might further unify the quilt.
- This may work...
- ...or it may flop.
- I need a second opinion (thanks, Desert Quilter, for your encouragement).
- Okay, nothing ventured, nothing gained. Even if what is gained is a better idea of what doesn't work.
I went ahead and cut out the quilt yesterday and have started sewing it, and, wow, the time spent in the sewing room has been wonderful therapy. Between that and an impromptu jaunt to a flea market this morning, my world seems to have been put right again. Balance restored.
So we'll see how this quilt comes together. Whether it works out or not, I am enjoying the process.
