This is the BOM that is radically different from the others. A new pattern is released on the 1st and the 15th of each month and there are many sizes to it.
This one is a Jacob's Ladder pattern and it is 12/25 for the quilt-along. I've done this block before and it is much easier if the fabric is not directional. I like how it turned out. The challenge will be where it goes on the layout and what is next to it.
The Light/Dark combination is often seen in quilting. Simply thought about it as an 'only a contrast' expression in our quilts, however there are so many more implications when the phrase is used elsewhere.
Right now as I study my Jungian Psych class, it becomes apparent that every archetype, every complex, every neurotic act has many levels of being as we look for the shadow. And the phrase 'light/dark' has racial implications for some or simply a way to grade skin color. It can be a right or wrong evaluation to others for basic choices or critical morals. Why do we do this? Why cannot it be just contrast? Different. Complementary.
Yikes.
Someone once said that it is not where we come from, or even where we are that tells our story. It is where we are going that matters.
I really love this panel quilt. Well, what I actually love is the Wolf. I love all the dreams and stories about wolves.
No matter which thread color I would have selected, it would look like 'damage' to the image, even though it is quilting and that is what a quilter does....she quilts. From this distance across the room, you cannot even see the stitches. I used the same brown to bind it as was on the last border. I wanted to make another green border and then add another brown, but scrap quilting uses what you have and I didn't have enough of the green to do it. The quilt measures 52x71, which is fine for a lap quilt.
The pinwheels add a very nice dimension to it as well. I would have used that same white for the back except that it has a glitter to it that would make it scratchy. That was not appealing to me so I used a white muslin instead. Actually, I wish I bought a beige but thought white went better with the white pinwheels. It looks fine.
Because of the ROM (row of the month) quilt I am making, I realize the value of using small blocks in a row. And in this case, I love the look that came from it. My quilt projects evolved over time. I always thought I would do more of the free motion quilting and never got into it. Most of my work this year is finishing up those UFOs as well as using fabrics in my closet. Once I get those projects done, maybe, just maybe I can commit to free motion. No promises. No pressure. Not sure if that is where I am going.
I spent yesterday working on some Spring Equinox gifts for my Grands and Greats. Most of them are ready, and then I remembered that I need to ship this Wolf Quilt on Friday as well. It was too late to get the clubhouse so I took it to my floor.
Then half way through, I realized there were not enough basting pins so I thread basted. There is not enough of the dark green to do another border so it is what it is and is actually a bit larger than my own favorite lap top, so she will be fine with this size. I want to do an outline stitch around the Wolf, and some of the rocks and trees and then will do a simple shadow stitch on the borders. I selected a white muslin rather than the beige because of the whites in the pinwheels. That makes it a challenge for quilting threads. I have to keep going full out if it is going to be ready for Friday.
After a bad experience with a lost package, I will pay the extra to have all my quilts signed for from now on. The insurance was supposed to be for $50 and that is a joke.
I went shopping today and picked up fabric for several projects, and ordered the Grinch fabric online. Most of the choices were out of stock already, however my first choice for the borders was still there, so I got a yard of it.
When I look at the Mystery quilt picture, I see things I might have changed, but have decided (at least in this moment) to let them go through as they are. What I want to take away from it is the lessons about fabric choices. Every one I am doing right now calls for selecting Light, Medium, Bright and Dark. When it is a Mystery, I can see how important it is to be very aware of those categories. I think I got confused for the Mediums in a few of the blocks. I may have edged them over the line and used them for Darks. It is my hope that the Grinch focus fabric will really take over. This one I just finished is not as pretty as some of the quilts other members made by buying coordinating fabrics or keeping it monochromatic with the combo. Well, I used up a LOT of scraps, and it will be welcomed by this man because of the Grinch. The back will be a plain muslin so a plain white thread most likely will work best for machine quilting.
With all the fabric I just bought, I will be keeping busy for awhile before needing a batting order, which will come next.
For whatever reason one of the facilitators for a Block of the Month group bailed on month #10, posted some quick borders and gave an idea for a layout and left. One woman on the group voiced disappointment and her comment got a lot of defending comments for the group leader. Oh jeeze. Then woman #1 apologized. FOR SPEAKING THE TRUTH. The others 'accepted her apology and suggested she get on with it by finishing the project or finding another one'. I left the group.
Seriously, whatever happened to the facilitator, either she or one of her close friends might have explained it rather than to leave it to our own creativity.
Done with that trauma drama.
I have pinned my blocks to the final suggested design. After it gets pieced, I will look at options for borders and am thinking I will order some Grinch fabric, which seems appropriate, and make it for one of my Godson's in Minnesota. The focus fabric will draw the attention to it and not the blocks inside the center.
It took me awhile to trim the blocks to fit together. One of the suggestions from the facilitator was to make more blocks for a different design. I am not investing in more for it. Pictures will follow when it has more of a finished look. For now, it is a UFO.
I was up late last night. I try not to cut or even use the machine just in case I am so tired that I damage my own skin as well as a project.
Fabric selection starts first with any project. The 2 Mystery BOM's both have designated fabrics. This one is the Harvest collection and asked for a Light, Medium and Dark. The Light certainly takes over, but again, its a Mystery so I don't know how it will be used on the quilt and if I don't like it when the assembly takes place, I can re-do it.
The next one is almost the reverse calling for more Darks on the block. I've put it with the first two to show how they are coming. Its always a challenge for me to be in the Mystery, yet, as I learned and recently seem to say, I love how they turn out!
The other project I worked on is a mid-June birthday gift for one of my Granddaughters. I made myself one and love it so much that she might use hers to carry linens (pillows, blankets & towels) for camping. It is pinned for hand sewing the binding and then the straps go on. I love the lining fabric which was leftover and such a gorgeous piece I didn't want to cut into smaller squares. I will do that with the leftovers now which are all pretty much scraps.
And the remainder of my day is listening to Jungian lectures!
I could not bear to cut into this panel. So I went into my closet bins looking for fabrics that would match and not detract from the print.
I found a Fall orange-ish batik fabric that has grays in it that I used for the first 1" border. It matches some of the trees as light shines on them. Then I found a couple of greens and made a 2.5" second border. The other green was a perfect match with white fabric that has pine needles and pine cones with a little snow sparkle to it. Right now, it measures 42" wide by 60" long. There is a bit of green pine left and some of that orange. I have a lot of white fabric and could use that for the back. My thought is that it needs at least 10" more on both sides, and about 8" more on top and bottom, which would come close to making it 62"x78". Of course, I am just guessing at this point. The remaining borders will go on as they do. I plan to get to the fabric store and would like to purchase a brown batik, but will take what I have made to match it. Right now it is pretty green and a darker last border will frame it nicely.
I am so glad I decided against cutting into it.
