This project is not what I thought I'd be sharing today. But I got a wild hair on Friday, (inspired by Wendy of Pieceful Thoughts of My Quilting Life), and just had to go dig this UFO out and get back to work!
Way back in November of 2017, I won a giveaway of Island Batik scraps from Allison at Little Bunny Quilts. My winnings were about half of a jelly roll and a 1/4 yard of coordinating fabric from Island Batik's Northern Woods line.
There are some pretty pieces in this collection - here are a couple of my favorites!
Back then, I decided to cut the jelly roll strips into 10.5 inch lengths and started piecing them together like this -
I think this was pairs of strips sewn and laid out, but the top was never completely finished. After that it was put in a drawer, and even though I have pulled it out a couple of different times, with a few ideas about what to do next, I never actually did anything with it. In my post from back then, I wrote that it was about 33.5 x 50 - not big enough to be finished.
So, Friday I read Wendy's post about what she made with some Island Batik fabrics that she received from a giveaway. You can see her beautiful Batik Burst wall-hanging HERE. Her post inspired me to get out my Island Batik project and try something completely different! It has required some unsewing and resewing and cutting pieces into different shapes, but something is finally happening!
Making 6.5 inch blocks like this -
and like this - the brownish/greenish is the yardage that came in the package.
then playing around with them on the design wall, turned into this star.
It's a little wild, isn't it? Or maybe I will call it *interesting* lol!
After a little more rearranging, I sewed up the blocks and rows this way:
To add a border will require more unstitching of the rest of the strips I had previously sewn together, but I'm thinking something like this - using the lighter strips and a bit of blue for some cornerstones.
And then I'll use the leftover dark strips for the binding.
I'm not exactly sure why I could never make a decision on what to do with this fabric before now. Maybe (most likely) because these are just not my colors? It definitely has a fall feel to it, and a Southwestern vibe, too. I will truthfully admit that sometimes I love it, and sometimes I still don't feel inspired. But I am determined to finish this UFO, and get the fabric out of the drawer!
Sharing at Quilting is more fun than Housework for Oh Scrap!
18 comments:
It was an interesting way to change an UFO. When one is not completely comfortable, it is often wise to think again. It will be an exciting and nice quilt in beautiful autumn colors. :-)
Totally worth the effort, a much more interesting design now! Great job!
It's such a great feeling when you get that "Aha" moment on a project that has stalled. Love your new direction.
I feel your hesitation about using these fabrics. I have batik given to me and although I love batik quilts, I just don't know what to do with my win. It's outside my box. Like you, I get it out of the drawer every now and again, just to put it back down. You did a beautiful job with your fabric. I love your star. Very nice. ;^)
Sometimes you just have to find the strength to finish it. I think this is a great direction to go.
Way to push on! Sometimes a project just needs a little time to proof.
What a perfect way to change it up! It always feels great when we finally figure out what to do with an older WIP. It may take a while, but eventually ideas finally come to us! Well done!
Sometimes we just get stuck and have to let a project marinate a while before inspiration hits. And what a great feeling to have it finished and out of a drawer/closet/bin!
What a fun new design! I can definitely see the close family resemblance to Wendy's piece. Is it table topper size? It would be neat with a fall display of gourds arranged artfully :)
it is interesting - sometimes the only way to get rid of a UFO is to rip it apart and do something different with it. Now it is out of that stack and you can quilt and use it! Love those colors
Wow, you've really transformed that UFO! I wouldn't have thought those were "my" colors, either, but I really love the designs in the fabrics (those trees!!), so it is fascinating to look at. You know, most of the fabrics I get in giveaways aren't colors or maybe patterns I'd choose for myself, but I have never regretted the challenge of using them in a quilt. Yea for you taking out an old project and putting new life into it.
I liked it BEFORE and I like it NOW. If the changes you made lead to a finish, I say, Go YOU!!! :o))
Oh my goodness, that is just fantastic. I'm so delighted that I played a little role in the change to your project. Can't wait to see the finish!
Nice way to play! Better than letting things languish in the UFO pile!
Love the new direction you took with this! Stars are never wrong! 8)
Giveaway fabric and scraps are the best to get out and play with. I find I am far more likely to try new things and not have to worry about ending up with a project I might not like and feeling like I wasted my money. I think "play" is where you become most creative. Thanks for sharing with Oh Scrap!
Excellent decision. I've done a few like that myself.
I love it! And the last look with a proposed border and cornerstone looks beautiful. Very creative.
I bought a bunch of batiks when I first started quilting in 2010, and within a couple years I was tired of them. Now I'm loving them again!
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