Sunday, January 21, 2007

Orphaned 9-Patches


These lovely orphans came home with me last August, during a special Guild get-together, where we planned to use stash, leftovers, donations, etc. The rule was, “Whatever goes home with you, MUST be used and then donated somewhere.” At the end of the session, these blocks were still left on the table, and somehow, they jumped into my tote.

There were 65 blocks, all different, both in style and size. They ranged from 5 ½ to 6 3/4 so I trimmed every one 5 ½. For time reasons, I wasn’t too particular with trimming exactly to the seam lines. That meant a connecting block had to be forgiving – i.e., no matching seams, please. (A snowball connector block would have meant matching seams lines that no longer were accurate.)

Most of the blocks were medium or dark – I eliminated about 8 pale florals. There was no rhyme or reason to the positive/negative rule (5/4 or 4/5).

The hourglass connector block is usually successful. I used a dark floral blue and a pale floral green because that’s what I had. It’s kind of ‘static’, but with all those different blocks, pieced with white, I felt the strong blue/pale green combination was the best I could do. I’ll get it quilted in the next few months, hopefully.

It’s an ordinary quilt, but you know, you just cannot let those 9-patches go to waste!

28 comments:

  1. Aha! Good solution for getting all those 9ps to play nicely together!
    Jeanne :)

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  2. You call that an ordinary quilt? I call it an outstanding quilt. You did a great job on it.

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  3. Elaine, this is a beauty. I'm beginning to think I have a weakness for 9-patches, and your setting and border are perfect. But, 'splain to me how you cut 6-3/4" blocks to 5-1/2" yet they still look symmetrical.

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  4. Great job. Ninepatches are probably my favorite block to make and also to piece. They seem to look good no matter what you do with them.

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  5. That's a very appealing quilt. More than well done with what you had to work with. I can't imagine this quilt not being appreciated or desired by anyone.

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  6. Great quilt. Someone is going to very lucky to receive this quilt.

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  7. Oh Elaine, you call it "ordinary" but IMHO, those simple, ordinary blocks make the most EXTRAORDINARY quilts in their simplicity. Great job!

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  8. Oh wow!!!! What a great way to spice up those boreing 9 patch blocks. Them going home with you from the guild meeting was like they took a trip to the spa :) I bet who ever donated them in your guild will hardly be able to recognize them! ~Bonnie

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  9. Gracious - who would believe the end result it THAT! Lovely

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  10. I love 9 patch quilts and they look esp. good alternating with the hourglass blocks. Nice job!

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  11. Hey -- great idea! I have a tote of those 9-patches. It looks terrific, not static at all. Good job!

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  12. Nine patches are always lovely. And so fun to play with.

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  13. This setting is one of my favourites for the humble 9-patch. Sometimes a quilt top may look flat but when the quilting is done it's transformed to something quite beautiful. I love it now, so when it's quilted it will be stunning.

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  14. Not ordinary at all, just a plain girl who became loved and valued. (That makes anyone beautiful.)

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  15. I like it too - I agree that colours aren't too spectacular, but it makes for a very 'graphic' quilt. How do you get so much done so quickly?

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  16. I think you've done a great job :)

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  17. Hmm - you sure did a great job making ordinary blocks into a lovely quilt.

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  18. You did a great job with your "rescue". They look terrific now. Someone will be so happy to receive these!

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  19. i like the graphic look of the 9patch and this quilt is going to be a beauty when it is quilted.

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  20. Yes but a very pretty 'ordinary' quilt - I'm sure someone will love it

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  21. Wow, very striking! I am a pushover for nine-patches. Love how you "spiced" them up!

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  22. Oh but look how wonderful they are working! I love it! Sometimes these simple ones say the most!!!!

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  23. What a lovely 'home' for the orphan blocks

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  24. Absolutely beautiful ! Someone will be very lucky to be sleeping under that piece of work.

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  25. ~Beautiful is the only word that comes to my mind. You really did a GREAT job ! BRAVO !

    Smiles !
    NADINE.

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  26. Beautiful job. I really like what you have done with the poor little orphans. They look so much happier all together like that.

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  27. Looks fantastic, Elaine!

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  28. I think it is beautiful! I love how "connector" blocks can make a completely different design!

    Cheers!

    Evelyn

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