Monday, September 10, 2012

Do you ever have a quilt idea...

...and start making it before you have a clear plan?  Please tell me I'm not the only one. 

Last month, right before retreat, I had an idea. I knew I wanted to do a quilt with Civil War-ish prints and I knew I wanted to do it with Birds in the Air blocks. But that's all I knew. I didn't know how many I needed so I just grabbed the bin I store all the fabrics I like to use for scrap quilts.

Here is my bin...


...and here is everything that's in it. 


To give you an idea of how much that is, I weighed the bin... 
15 1/2 lbs!  That is A LOT of scraps.


I decided on a size for my block...6" finished...and started sorting, pulling out the fabrics I didn't want to use and put them back in the bin.  From the rest I just started cutting.  Here is my pile of Birds in the Air blocks so far. 



I already have enough for two large quilts and I still have a few dozen to make.  I have one solid design that I'm definately going to do and a few ideas for what's left over.  EQ7 has been very helpful in solidifying my ideas.  I hope to have a quilt to share soon.


In other news...I made a little quilt top this weekend from block I found last week while tidying up.  The 3" nine patches came from JulieQ's swap TWO years ago.  How's that for procrastination?   The Dresden Plate came from a friend of mine.


38 1/2 x 43"


When I received those nine patches two years ago I had a couple of idea but nothing that really excited me.  And then last week...I don't know what happened.  Something just clicked.  Again I went back to EQ7 to layout the design.  Once I knew exactly what I needed for my design, I cut up more squares for nine patches and then I cut the alternating squares.

I have to say...I really love this little quilt.  I'm still debating on borders.  I want to just add a small 3" border that matches the setting triangles but my husband thinks it needs more than that.  He thinks it needs a red or brown border outside of that.  But then he wants to use it for a lap quilt and I want it for a wall hanging.  So I don't know what I'm going to do.  We'll just have to wait and see.

Hope y'all had a great weekend filled with lots of sewing!


13 comments:

barbara woods said...

i am working on one of 'those' right now my pink quilt. i blog at wont-to-bequilter

Wilma Kuin said...

Beautiful!!
I love scrapquilts,..

Sandie @ crazy'boutquilts said...

*giggle* of course you are not the only one! :-) Love your mini~ I'd keep it mini too. ;-)

Lee Prairie Designs said...

I was in Julie's swap too.... I am sure I have some of your nine patches as you have some of mine. Your quilt looks wonderful!

Carolyn :)

Anonymous said...

You're not alone...though look at you! You follow through and actually get the projects done. Love, love, love the fabric colors! They are so me!

Anonymous said...

Feels good to use up those scraps, doesn't it? I am looking forward to seeing your progress!
Kerry

Darlene said...

You're definitely not alone. I love what you're doing - can I come play?

I've had these kinds of ideas and run them past a quilting friend who quickly dashes my idea. Takes the wind right out of my sails. Sigh! Oh well. :-)

Phyllis said...

I love both & you are so productive!

Darlene D said...

Your little quilt is so cute! And your new blocks look awesome. Can't wait to see the finished project!

Me and My Stitches said...

I just want to play in that scrap bin! You are definitely not alone - starting without a full plan. Your 9 patches are looking great - and I'm with you - I think with the medallion center it would make a beautiful wall hanging! Sorry...the the hubby he has been out-voted!

Carrie P. said...

I do the same thing sometimes too.
I just love your little quilt. The dresden is perfect in the middle.

Anonymous said...

HI! SUCH A NEAT QUILT! LOVE THE DESIGN AND THE COLORS YOU SELECTED.

mssstitcher1948@yahoo.com

Marie said...

You're not the only one, cause that's what makes it fun. Love this little quilt that you are working on and the Birds in the Air is going to be beautiful as well.