Victorian Roses Finished

Slow and steady, I guess that describes me. This quilt was the easiest thing in the world to make, and I should have had it done in a day, at most. However, I lose focus, become distracted, allow other activities to intrude - you know how it is, I'm sure.

The quilt top is done, though, and I am happy to show it off. I'm happy to introduce you to Victorian Roses.

Gargantuan, isn't it? This is a queen bed, and there is ample overhang on both sides. It is 5 x 5 rows total, and 3 of them cover the top of the bed horizontally, so you can see how much hangs on each side.

I don't think I am going to put a border on this quilt. Every quilt I've ever made has had a border, so this is a momentous decision for me! It's already big enough, in my opinion. I will be quite satisfied to leave it as it is.

As I was sewing the last row, a thought crept up on me and now I find that I am gnawing and gnawing on it. I want to make another one. Instead of using 3.5" squares to make the 4-patch units, I am going to reduce it to 3". Then, after I make that, I will make another one, and reduce the squares to 2.5". It will be fun to see the differences as the parts become smaller. I think I will like the smaller ones better. This one is so large that I consider it quite non-traditional. Another change I will make is to switch the placement of the blues in the pieced block. The darker color would work better to create the secondary design that unifies the top.

Still learning after all these years; amazing.

Happy Quilting, Friends!

A Bit of Progress

Do you ever draw out the quilt you are planning? I have made up a couple of quilts, and it always seems necessary for me to have a diagram of what I am doing. Victorian Roses is no exception. As I was finishing up the 4-patches, I stopped sewing to draw out my diagram.

Those 9-patch blocks with the 4-patches are going to finish out at 18" - whopping!!

Victorian Roses is coming along, but not as quickly as I'd hoped. I have had to do some unsewing, darn it. *grumble* But I want it done right, so I am not getting upset about it. Part of the problem is that the small blue print is directional. If I want the stripes to go all in the same direction, I have to adjust half of the 4-patch blocks. Not so terrible. I won't complain, but it is slowing me down.

See what I mean about the print being directional? Pretty little feather-like design.

Here is my first finished pieced block - all 18" of it. Constructing a quilt top of blocks so large will certainly go fast, won't it?

In looking at the diagram, above, I wonder if I ought to add one row on the right, so that the secondary design of the blue print fabric goes from corner to corner.  I will need to cut more of everything, but wouldn't be a huge amount of extra work. If I leave things as they are, the quilt in the diagram will finish out at 72" x 90". Adding a row would make it 90" square. Either size suits me just fine.

Happy Quilting, Friends!

Starting a New Quilt

I have spent the better part of this early afternoon pondering the quilt I want to make with these fabrics, which I shared last week while on vacation.  All told, I suppose this quilt has been in the "idea phase" for nearly 2 years.

I have removed the 2 fabrics on the far right. Besides the fact that I think they look good together and would make a great 2-fabric quilt, I think the gray-toned background in the floral print does not particularly harmonize with the beige-toned background of the first floral print.

Here are the 4 fabrics I am going to use, plus I found the (poorly lit) picture I took of the quilt I saw on display. (I know, quilts are displayed in stores so that you will buy their patterns, but don't you think this is just too easy? No pattern is necessary!)

So, let's identify these fabrics - all from my stash. The large floral is Victorian Roses by Fabri-Quilt. The blue paisley is Wicasset by Minick and Simpson for Moda. The small blue print is only identified as Baum Textiles. And the mottled neutral has no identification whatsoever. I do not remember buying any of these fabrics, so I can't really even try to estimate how long I've had them.

I can tell you where I took the photograph, and when. I was on a Shop Hop in Ohio's Amish Country a year and a half ago, when this quilt caught my eye. I believe it was the final shop on our journey, too.

I've cut out strips for making the 4-patch  units. I will try to get a bunch of those made up before dinner. Since I don't have a pattern, I will have to guess at how many of everything I will need.

I am starting with 5 strip sets. We'll see how many units that yields. Hoping to show you my progress tomorrow!

Happy Quilting, Friends!