Kenny Rogers sang something about playing Poker, and "Know when to hold 'em" and "Know when to fold 'em" ... Sometimes things do not work as planned, and it's time to do some quick finishing on this little quilt and fold it!
I went with the Spool arrangement (the block on the right, below), even though the strips went the wrong way. First error. It draws the eye to all those different directions, making things tooooo jumbled and confused. Also, the strings are each so bright and contrasting -- they don't blend. Recognizing that this setting was not working, I reduced the size of this project. I will finish it up and get on with something else. My efforts at auditioning borders didn't improve it a lot, but I believe that dark purple will make it passable. I won't call it a failure, I'll just call it ... uhhhh Done!
(hmmmm - what if I had used a dark color instead of a white for the half-squares? - should I try that???)
Look at this earlier successful turquoise quilt. I had alternated the light background between white and light blue. My strings were closer in value and they were mostly blue, turquoise, lavender. The quick corner triangles were also softer, and less "in your face"..., also in the same color families.
I was totally mesmerized from 3 recent delicious string quilts at www.quiltville.com -- couldn't wait to recreate one, but alas (old timey word!) mine didn't work!
I don't mind posting projects that don't work - how else can we learn from each other?
yes I see what you mean, but doesn't it make for a lovely cuddle quilt. I do like the successful turquoise one.... aubirdwoman
ReplyDeleteIt's never a failure, it's a trial run!
ReplyDeleteWhat about trying navy blue big stitch quilting lengthwise on the white blades? Might tone them down a bit? Just thinkin'.
I envy your time!
I still like the quilt! Sometimes they just don't work out the way we would like them to but that doesn't make them bad!
ReplyDeleteStand back and look at the pinwheels in it--and maybe stop looking for the spools. ....sometimes it's just the creating process that makes the next one prettier!
ReplyDeleteI still don't have my string-stars finished either--too much of "life" getting in the way right now.
For me your spool string quilt looks good especially if you keep with a wide blue border. It is bright and happy. I am curious to see it finished. I loved your regatta quilt as well! Take care.
ReplyDeleteNot every quilt is a favorite quilt, but this is just fine! I think the purple with the strip-pieced border is great. And Mama Koch saw just what I did -- pinwheels! I do think using darks instead of white could give you a lovely look, especially if the strips are made with brights. And now you've got me thinking -- what about black and white strips, with an occasional bright strip thrown in? So many possibilities!
ReplyDeleteCheri in Illinois
Actually I have to say I quite like it just like it is!
ReplyDeleteYour head was stuck on spools which is a great secondary design in the blue quilt. This one, however, screams that it is about spinning blades on a bright day that is reflecting the full spectrum of colors.
ReplyDeleteI like them. I sure don't think they are failures!
ReplyDeleteI think you are being WAY to hard on yourself! It doesn't look at all bad to me. If it really bothers you give it a bath in Tan rit dye - that will help things blend together and darken the very light part a little. I think it's just brighter and busier than you are comfortable with. I think a small child would just love it!
ReplyDeleteBoy do I know that feeling! I finished and folded up the Spiderweb top today. I am SO happy to get that off my design wall.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I do like the purple border and I strongly believe that even tops that we aren't in love with are usually quite nice once they are quilted.
Elaine, I loved how you worked up this pattern on paper. I'm curious though, what pattern would develop if you took 2 squares with just the white triangle and the pieced triangle, aligned 2 squares 1 on top of the other with white sides opposite, drew a straight line from point to point bisecting the white triangles, and sewed on each side of the line creating an hourglass block. Just a thought.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree that I'm not so sure this one is a "failure". It would make a fantastic child's quilt -- bright, cheerful, so much energy! No, it's not as restful and calming as the blue -- but it is not a failure (I've seen some quilts that are failures -- even saw one or two recently at a guild meeting. Your's doesn't come close to qualifying)
ReplyDeleteEven though it doesn't maybe look the way you envisioned it, I'm sure it will make somebody very happy. I'd say just finish it as it is.
ReplyDeleteI think it looks pretty cool, actually but then I make a lot of brightly colored kids quilts. Maybe that is where this is headed?
ReplyDeleteNow you know what you would do differently next time.
I sorta like it. The white looks like pinwheels. What would have happened if you'd have sashed each set of 4?????
ReplyDeleteElaine, it's a bright, happy quilt! Maybe not the one you had in mind, but a great quilt, none the less. I think using a fabric other than the the white would make a big difference.
ReplyDeleteI actually quite like the pinwheeely effect, it's just probably not the effect you were looking for, Cheers, Tracey
ReplyDeleteEvery quilt is a learning experience and color and scale have many lessons to teach us all. It's happy and busy and fun, even if you don't think it's your most successful quilt ever--warm and cuddly, with lots of fabrics and colors to look at.
ReplyDeleteI found those string quilts at Quiltville very inspiring too.