I did actually enjoy working on these blocks. The templates are perfect and everything fits together so nicely. They were a good challenge without being too impossibly hard. I just don't think I want a whole quilt out of them. I did cut corners wherever I could to make things easier. I pieced all my half-square triangles the easy way, piecing 2 squares by marking the diagonal and sewing on either side. I also figured out the math on as many blocks as I could and just cut them with a ruler. The templates are so helpful on the quirky blocks, but there is no need to use them when the cuts for a block are 2.5" or 3.5", etc.
I chose not to add solids to these new blocks because I didn't have anything on hand that truly matched.
#16--Calico Puzzle
#19--Checkerboard
#21--Contrary Wife
#29--Economy
#31--Evening Star
#44--Gentleman's Fancy
#97--Waste Not
I have to say, I am not a fan of the farmer's wife quilt along, but of all the blocks I have seen, I think I like yours best. you did a good job of getting contrast int hose busy blocks, and Bliss is a great fabric style for them. I think these blocks all together just look too busy for me. Individually I like them, maybe repeating 2 or 3 in a quilt would work, but all those designs together in one quilt give me a headache. Call me the black sheep of the quilting world, but that is my feeling!! :-)
ReplyDeleteI did the same earlier this week - having made 10 blocks I just stopped. I loved making the blocks, but the overall effect was just too scrappy and random for me. I've sewn them into two little dolly quilts for my girls, and I'm having fun doing some fussy hand quilting, which I would have never done with a large quilt anyway. All in all, a pretty good "affair", but that's about it!
ReplyDeleteYour blocks will make a pretty baby quilt. I like the large quilts made with small varieties of blocks, but I've never made one. I'll look forward to your other projects instead. :)
ReplyDeleteoh no! I can see what you mean though. I am going to push through on it, but just go at my own pace. Your blocks do look great though :-) Sorry to hear about your break up, hehe
ReplyDeleteI bet that feels good! Kudos on making the decision. I'm sure it wasn't an easy one. I think this will make a great baby quilt! (I think Waste Not is my favorite!)
ReplyDeleteYour blocks will make a beautiful baby quilt! I am glad you will used your time on what makes you smile, isn't that what it is supposed to be about. I am still enchanted but I really am sticking to two a week, I think going faster would just burn me out on this quilt.
ReplyDeleteVery brave of you to break it off! Your blocks do look lovely and it was clever thinking to do a few more so you can get a baby quilt out of it - I'm sure it'll look great.
ReplyDeleteWell, I'm sorry to hear about your breakup :) But...I do think your blocks will make a great baby quilt, though - you really hand-picked some good blocks! Can't wait to see some of the other stuff you're working on :)
ReplyDeleteI love that my favourite of your blocks is the Contrary Wife - I think that says it all!!
ReplyDeleteI haven't even started sewing mine yet - which has meant I have picked up so many tips/learnt by the mistake of others that I 'hope' mine will turn out like I envisage.
I am going to use it as a skill builder, although I don't think 111 blocks will be enough!!
I totally understand - choices need to be made about your time and the projects you want to do...I'm in the decision-making process right now too. Good for you & all is not lost...a baby quilt one of these days.
ReplyDeleteThe blocks you made are wonderful. . . but I don't blame you for the break up. Just so you know in the break-up you get the kids (me!!)
ReplyDeleteYour blocks look beautiful, but I completely agree with you that sewing time is too scarce to spend on something that you're not in love with. Making the decision to move on is hard, but man, it feels good when you do!
ReplyDeleteI think they are beautiful - but I think everything you do is beautiful! I love the waste not block the best. I think you're right that it will make a super sweet baby quilt! I could totally see a baby outside in the grass on a picnic on their tummy on this quilt! :)
ReplyDeleteI am other "outsider" who isn't a big fan of the Farmer craze out there. But having said that, of all the blocks I have seen I do like yours, and think that little quilt is great1
ReplyDeleteI also agree that you need to make those choices and spend your time on something that makes you smile everytime you sit down to work on it.
Well, yours are definitely one of my favorites! I had a similar experience with a sampler quilt a long I did last year. I loved making the individual blocks, but I didn't like the overall look.
ReplyDeleteI love reading the names of there blocks and thinking about where they came from and how the block shows it.
ReplyDeleteI love your checkerboard block! It's so true, you have to love it or set it aside for another time! I have done that many times.
ReplyDeleteKati I really love the checker board one. I could see taking one or two of your favorite blocks and making a quilt with those, but I'm having my own issues with samplers right now. lol. I have a bunch of bee quilts to make and they are all samplers...and there is a reason that they are not done. ;)
ReplyDeleteGood for you for making one of those tough decisions about when to put aside a project no matter how excited it made you feel to start. And you definitely did enough to qualify as participating!!
I love your blocks, but can wholly understand not wanting to spend time on something you don't love. I'm the same when I read books- there are too many good books out there to waste my reading time on something I don't enjoy!
ReplyDeleteThink your blocks are beautiful. And it's great that you want to spend time where it makes you happy. They will make a great baby quilt!
ReplyDeleteThese blocks are all just wonderful.
ReplyDeleteYour blocks are absolutely beautiful - I love your choice of using Bliss for them. Really great work! I'm going to make 25 and then set them with wider sashing borders - all 111 would be impossible!
ReplyDeleteYou know, I think that's what scared me away from this qal. Samplers are tough to make cohesive. Then when everyone started talking about the templates, I knew I was out!! I love what you've done so far though. Maybe break it up with a little sashing and that will help. My sampler (from the very first class I took) has what they call lattice sashing in between the blocks. It's essentially one fat row of sashing with two small rows bordering that.
ReplyDeleteYour waste not block is my favorite. Very cool! I have enjoying watching everyone else create Farmer's blocks, but I decided not to participate. I am trying really hard to only work on all of my WIP's.
ReplyDeleteDon't feel bad! He and I only lasted the week. I totally hear you about the precious time! I'll have fun with the KQAL, but that's it. I need to have a finished quilt soon!
ReplyDelete::thumbs up::
ReplyDeleteI'm sad to hear of your breakup, but entirely agree that your sewing time, whether or not it is scarce, is better spent on something you love than something you don't.
ReplyDeleteGood for you for packing it in before you started hating life because of that dang quilt. I love the blocks you've done so far - put 'em in a quilt and let 'em go!
ReplyDeleteGood on you. Quilting is our hobby....so why do something we don't enjoy?
ReplyDeleteI love that last "waste not" block. I totally support your breakup though. Sometimes, two really good people are just not good for each other - and that doesn't mean it's either of their fault. (Yeah, I used that line back in the day...)
ReplyDeleteOooh, I think your blocks are beautiful! I completely understand why you two are better off apart though. : ) Well, these will make a lovely baby quilt. I especially like the Checkerboard and Waste Not blocks.
ReplyDeleteI love your blocks! I have almost broke up with the farmer myself, but with much encouragement I am still plugging away.
ReplyDeleteNadine