Staying true to my challenge to myself to work only with my stash through June and July (and this just in - I'm extending it to August!) I've been working on a crumb quilt this past week.
The red crumbs are from the scraps leftover from Saucy Divo (in my header), but when I begn the quilt, I had no idea how much fabric the white strips would use up, and so I quickly blew through my stash of white scraps, and then added a further 4 metres (!) of white poly-cotton yardage I had on hand. I didn't like using up all my white like that (because after all, I can't buy anymore until fall!) but the top went together easily and reasonably quickly and I was quite pleased with the result. Here it is batted up and ready to go:
For the back, I used a length of red and white polka dotted fabric I scored at the Textile Museum's fabric sale (for a $1.00, I might add!) and added some red kitschy kitchen gingham. The back turned out well too:
As I made the top, I envisioned it as a big fluffy quilt, nearly a comfortor's thickness; so I uncharacteristically bought high-loft polyester batting *le gasp!*, and used two layers of it to get the thickness that I wanted.
It turned out to be as fat and soft looking as I had hoped once I got it batted up and pinned, but the problems began when I started quilting it. 
I had envisioned quilting it with outlined hearts, so they too would be big, soft and puffy looking, but as I quilted them, I was watching "The Duchess" (a movie I highly recommend, by the way) and was not paying 100% attention. Because of that, I didn't realize that I was quilting the hearts so densely. By the time I was done the first 30 or so hearts, I stood back and looked at it, and realized - I didn't like it. *cries*I decided to put off making a decision about un-picking the hearts until I'd quilted more hearts in the pattern I had first envisioned - a loose diagonal - with lots of air between the hearts, and came up with this:
which was more what I had intended. (Incidentally, this shot is also a really great pic of the borders, an unbelievably soft fabric called "minky" - its delightful to touch - feels like a soft warm furry baby creature of some sort.) I'm going to finish up the quilt with a binding of red taffetta and I think I'm going to love it - if I get the quilting right.
*sigh*
So I need to decide whether to continue with the "densely hearted" quilt, or unpick and go with a looser, more freely spaced heart.
To un-pick or not un-pick?
Stay tuned to this bat channel...
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Well, since I was just in a very similar situation, I say unpick it. It's a PITN, but worth it to be happy with something, especially something you'll see regularly. It sounds really tactile, with super-soft batt and the minky and the taffeta, so I bet you'll want the quilting to feel right, too.
ReplyDeleteOTOH, what's done is done, and maybe you could slowly space the rest of the hearts out, like they were blooming from that corner?
I say unpick it. If you think the quilting is wrong for this quilt, I say make it right. :) You'll be happier with the quilt in general and the pain of un-picking will soon be forgotten.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I love the quilt...I want to make one of those too with my scraps.
Meguey - I thought of you last night as I puzzed over this little dilemma - and more than once, I thought of the advice I gave YOU when you were in similar circumstances.
ReplyDeleteThat said, I did briefly contemplate making a sort of winding "path" through the quilt of dense hearts and having looser ones on the sides of the path - but the idea was vetoed by myself and BSP.
Crystal - I think I have 98% decided to un-pick. *sob*
:)
I say put in another good movie and go to town...it's the only way I can get through an un-picking session.
ReplyDeleteI loved "The Duchess" but have yet to buy it. It's one of those that's been on my wishlist for years because I keep forgetting to actually buy it. :)
Crystal - I have begun the un-picking. I think one of the Star Trek movies will be good for this - seen so many times that listening to it creates the images in my head. :)
ReplyDeleteI want to make a scrap quilt just like this...it's on my "to do" list. Love the red and white version.
ReplyDeleteThanks Kathy. When I first saw one of these (I think it was over at Lady Havartine's blog a couple of years ago), I knew immediately I wanted to do a red and white version.
ReplyDeleteI highly recommend making one (in any colour range)! :)
You'll know what to do. If you love it, you'll want it just the right way.
ReplyDelete;-) nice to find your blog!
Yes, you're absolutely right BB - I have begun un-picking since posting this. *big, heavy sigh* ;)
ReplyDeleteI have ripped out quilting stitches on just about every quilt I have ever made. In fact, I'm doing that right now. It is just part of the process. Here's the good news, you now know you don't like "densely quilted hearts". Happy ripping.
ReplyDeleteI forgot to tell you I luv, luv, luv this quilt! Well done!!
ReplyDeleteHi Shelly,
ReplyDeleteOh, there's no question that I have ripped out quilting motifs a time or too - but I must say, my heart absolutely sank at the thought of ripping out thirty outlined hearts (ergo, SIXTY hearts) - but since posting this, Im nearly done.
Thanks for stopping by, and thanks re the quilt! :)
Congrats on getting through the un-picking!
ReplyDeletethanks M! :)
ReplyDeleteWell as we are all quilters we are also expert "pickers" When I started quilting about a year and a half ago, I undid a completed crib quilt..did it outside in the spring and the birds and the wind took the threads.
ReplyDeleteI am so happy I did it. I love the quilt now.
I love this quilt. the back is as nice as the front...
Hi Nanci.
ReplyDeleteWe've been quilting for the same amount of time! I made my first quilt in April 2008. :)
And yes - there have been times when i thought I would name a quilt "Death by Seamripper" but i know tht there's one waiting for me down the road that will be more deserving of the name...
That's a great - just gorgeous with the red on white.
ReplyDeleteThanks K! :)
ReplyDelete