What can I make with a few remnants?
I can make mistakes...
...And may be learn from them.
Whenever I go to Joann's I make it a point to visit the remnants bin. Remnants are the end of the bolt pieces that are less than a yard and are marked down to 50% off. Over a period of time, those remnants can lead to a sizeable stash. This stash comes in handy when I want to try out a new pattern or practice a block.
One afternoon, I watched Maggie Ball make Kaleidoscope Blocks without a template. Needless to say, I wanted to try her technique. It seemed easy and I could definitely use some remnants from my stash to practice the kaleidoscope blocks.
I chose two matching remnants - pale green and green/brown stripes
Following Maggie's very simple instructions, I cut the two fabrics into 10" squares. Placed the two squares one on top of other and marked the 3" point from all the corners. Cut both layers of fabric across the square, matching the points. The result was four kites and four wedges. The next part was pretty simple. Mix and match them till you are satisfied.
Place the wedge over the kite and sew. Chain piece, separate, iron and then chain piece some more.
I love how the play of the striped fabric provides movement (or an illusion of movement) to the blocks.
Also, did you notice that each kaleidoscope block is unique due to the use of the striped fabric.
Once I completed 16 blocks, I placed them on the design wall and stepped away to admire my handiwork.
AAAAAAAAAAAAAA.....$%#$*&*&^&@!
What happened?
I made a mistake. No, I made two mistakes.
Mistake # 1 - Not enough contrast (I sure can match fabric)
Mistake # 2 - Not looking at the block from a distance
What could I do now?
Option # 1 - Forget about these blocks - they were practice blocks anyway. Not like you spent serious $$$ on them.
Option # 2 - Make the best of a rather unpleasant situation.
I found this cornflower blue solid (from Connecting Threads) in my stash and decided to use it to bring some zing to the rather lifeless kaleidoscope blocks.
It helps but just a little bit.
What else can I do? Get creative with the border? I did. Completed the top.
When Paul came home and saw the quilt top on the design wall, he remarked, "Very 70s look"
What does that mean, I asked.
Paul: It has that retro vibe to it.
Me: Retro? How?
Paul: Well, we used to have that green colored wall paper and even that brown seems familiar.
Me: I see. So what shall I call this quilt - That 70s Quilt?
Paul: What was that 70s con movie that we just saw?
Me: The American Hustle?
Paul: Yes, that is the one.
American Hustle, it is.
It is the perfect embodiment of mistakes made, lessons learnt and life goes on in a quilt...
May be I can do some creative (for me) quilting so that these kites and wedges stand out better. That way, I will get some quilting "practice" out of it too.
But in the end, I do not care for it and there are too may enticing things out there, too much yummy fabric, so many new patterns to try...that I have decided to let it go.
If you want it, you can have it. Please let me know in a comment what would you do with it and please also include your email address, so that I can reach you.
I will choose one person, at random, and ship it to you anywhere in the US or Canada. You have until March 31, 2016 to respond.
_____________________________________________________________________________
I am also giving away a mini wacky web template. It came in a box with other supplies. I don't need it . You can have it. Send me a separate comment, please. I will choose one person, at random, and ship it to you anywhere in the US or Canada.
You have until March 31, 2016 to respond. _____________________________________________________________________________
Once upon a time, I used Pigma Micron pens to label my quilts. I have since moved on to Pentel Archival pens. Therefore, I have this set of pens you can have. Please send me a comment with your email and I will get in touch with you. I will choose one person, at random, and ship it to you anywhere in the US or Canada.
You have until March 31, 2016 to respond. _____________________________________________________________________________
All items will be shipped in the first week of April. I am linking with Quilting is More Fun than Housework's Orphan Adoption Event.
Thank you, Cynthia, for this opportunity.
...And may be learn from them.
Whenever I go to Joann's I make it a point to visit the remnants bin. Remnants are the end of the bolt pieces that are less than a yard and are marked down to 50% off. Over a period of time, those remnants can lead to a sizeable stash. This stash comes in handy when I want to try out a new pattern or practice a block.
One afternoon, I watched Maggie Ball make Kaleidoscope Blocks without a template. Needless to say, I wanted to try her technique. It seemed easy and I could definitely use some remnants from my stash to practice the kaleidoscope blocks.
I chose two matching remnants - pale green and green/brown stripes
Following Maggie's very simple instructions, I cut the two fabrics into 10" squares. Placed the two squares one on top of other and marked the 3" point from all the corners. Cut both layers of fabric across the square, matching the points. The result was four kites and four wedges. The next part was pretty simple. Mix and match them till you are satisfied.
Place the wedge over the kite and sew. Chain piece, separate, iron and then chain piece some more.
I love how the play of the striped fabric provides movement (or an illusion of movement) to the blocks.
Also, did you notice that each kaleidoscope block is unique due to the use of the striped fabric.
Once I completed 16 blocks, I placed them on the design wall and stepped away to admire my handiwork.
AAAAAAAAAAAAAA.....$%#$*&*&^&@!
What happened?
I made a mistake. No, I made two mistakes.
Mistake # 1 - Not enough contrast (I sure can match fabric)
Mistake # 2 - Not looking at the block from a distance
What could I do now?
Option # 1 - Forget about these blocks - they were practice blocks anyway. Not like you spent serious $$$ on them.
Option # 2 - Make the best of a rather unpleasant situation.
I found this cornflower blue solid (from Connecting Threads) in my stash and decided to use it to bring some zing to the rather lifeless kaleidoscope blocks.
It helps but just a little bit.
What else can I do? Get creative with the border? I did. Completed the top.
When Paul came home and saw the quilt top on the design wall, he remarked, "Very 70s look"
What does that mean, I asked.
Paul: It has that retro vibe to it.
Me: Retro? How?
Paul: Well, we used to have that green colored wall paper and even that brown seems familiar.
Me: I see. So what shall I call this quilt - That 70s Quilt?
Paul: What was that 70s con movie that we just saw?
Me: The American Hustle?
Paul: Yes, that is the one.
American Hustle, it is.
It is the perfect embodiment of mistakes made, lessons learnt and life goes on in a quilt...
May be I can do some creative (for me) quilting so that these kites and wedges stand out better. That way, I will get some quilting "practice" out of it too.
But in the end, I do not care for it and there are too may enticing things out there, too much yummy fabric, so many new patterns to try...that I have decided to let it go.
If you want it, you can have it. Please let me know in a comment what would you do with it and please also include your email address, so that I can reach you.
I will choose one person, at random, and ship it to you anywhere in the US or Canada. You have until March 31, 2016 to respond.
_____________________________________________________________________________
I am also giving away a mini wacky web template. It came in a box with other supplies. I don't need it . You can have it. Send me a separate comment, please. I will choose one person, at random, and ship it to you anywhere in the US or Canada.
You have until March 31, 2016 to respond. _____________________________________________________________________________
Once upon a time, I used Pigma Micron pens to label my quilts. I have since moved on to Pentel Archival pens. Therefore, I have this set of pens you can have. Please send me a comment with your email and I will get in touch with you. I will choose one person, at random, and ship it to you anywhere in the US or Canada.
You have until March 31, 2016 to respond. _____________________________________________________________________________
All items will be shipped in the first week of April. I am linking with Quilting is More Fun than Housework's Orphan Adoption Event.
Thank you, Cynthia, for this opportunity.
I would love to try the template. Thanks. Diane
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to say that I made a similar flop of a quilt top once. It felt so good when I gave the top away and was a big turning point for me. I learned that I didn't have to finish everything. :)
ReplyDeleteYep Preeti - definitely retro! That was the color of my mom's kitchen appliances ... and just a shade darker than my aunt's bathroom fixtures. I honestly don't know what I'd do with it ...
ReplyDeleteI think it is good to try new things. Even if they din't turn out how you had hoped. I'm glad you are participating in the adoption event and not throwing it out. I think it will make a fun little quilt.
ReplyDeleteI think the quilt turned out very nice. It's so nice of you to give it away. I think if I had that quilt I would donate it to the local women's shelter. I bet one of the kids would love it.
ReplyDeleteWhat a cool idea to give away things you don't use. I probably should go through my things and do the same thing.
Mini wacky web template, plese. 24Tangent@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteYour quilt is very creative! It's good creative exercise to try new things, even if you don't know what to do with the results. Here is a great home for unused blocks: The Soy Amando project, http://littleislandquilting.blogspot.com/ You are very kind to be giving away the things you don't use. I would be very happy to win your pigma pens! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteit also reminded me of my sister's khaki pant suit from 1975!!!!! I swear the striped fabric is the same as the scarf she wore with the pant suit!!!!I would love the pens...
ReplyDeleteWell I sure would like, and I use the ones I have, the Pigma Micron Pens. However, I am going to investigate the Pentel Archival ones you now use. Why do you like them better? btw I am still DYING over your American Hustle... OMG... You will soon see why. ;-)
ReplyDeleteIt took me a while to find why you were unhappy with the results at first. I finally understood (I think) it's about the stripes not running the right direction in all the squares. At least it is the only problem I found. The colors do compliment each other very well, and I agree with your husband's comment about the 70's. Everything was that specific shade of green even the shag carpet.
ReplyDeleteYou have a very good eye for color and design which has not changed with seasoning. I am still waiting for your first book!
Would love to win the wonky template. It is not such an odd size as to be difficult to use in many designs.
Thanks for the opportunity to win something and respond to your great ideas.
mom2pekes2@gmail.com
Preeti, your reaction to the blocks made me laugh, although I completely understand what it feels like, having been there many times before. I liked them all together actually. The design is fun and I hope you give it a try again in fabrics you will like better. A lot of fun secondary surprises in those blocks!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with all your great giveaways... what a nice way to pass things on and make sure they are used!
I would adore the Pigma micron pens. cwhippc at aol dot com
ReplyDeleteHi, I'd love to have the template, never tried this pattern before... thank you and good luck with your giveaways!
ReplyDeleteI have Pixma pens; didn't know that there was a better product out there! Thanks for the info! I think I also would donate the quilt to a women's shelter. I'm making little lap quilts for my husband's oncologist office. If you have a friend or family member who has gone through chemo they could give you a name of a local oncologist. I would love the wacky template!
ReplyDeleteWhat a good way to try out something new without breaking the bank, it does look retro. In other fabrics I think your idea would look good. What a neat template I use the pigma pens and have never heard of the Pental Archival ones.
ReplyDeleteThose greens are my very favorite colors. And if you send it to me i would keep it for myself. I sew so very much for others, I have never made myself a quilt and I would finish this one up to keep!.
ReplyDeleteIt's a great way to try out a new technique even if you aren't crazy about the results. The cornflower blue does give it some zing, but if you don't like it you can give it away.
ReplyDeleteGreat name and I love the story behind it. Love that you just gave it a go to see what could happen!
ReplyDeleteI like your green on stripes. It reminds me of what my sisters and I used to do on hot summer days: sit in front of our avocado green box fan which sat on our shag carpet --yes, in 70s!-- and we'd make strange sounds with voices through the vibrations. If I had the quilt, I might add a teal or brown circle to each center of the fan, then donate it to charity. What's the finished size?
ReplyDeleteI could enjoy the wonky wedge . ;)
ReplyDeleteAnd since I have a penchant for pens, why not play for your pen giveaway?
ReplyDeleteI would love your American Hustle top. Our guild makes baby quilts for the Marine base mothers and also for the girls that give their babies up for adoption, so they at least go home with something in their arms. I would finish it for one of those projects. Thank you. scrapngmom@aol.com
ReplyDeleteI would love your American Hustle top. Our guild makes baby quilts for the Marine base mothers and also for the girls that give their babies up for adoption, so they at least go home with something in their arms. I would finish it for one of those projects. Thank you. scrapngmom@aol.com
ReplyDeleteI would love your American Hustle top. Our guild makes baby quilts for the Marine base mothers and also for the girls that give their babies up for adoption, so they at least go home with something in their arms. I would finish it for one of those projects. Thank you. scrapngmom@aol.com
ReplyDeleteI totally understand your reaction! But boy, are they perfectly pieced!
ReplyDeleteI would love the Micron pens, but now you have me curious about the Pentel pens.
ReplyDeleteThe wacky template looks interesting!
ReplyDeleteI like the blocks much better with the sashing. Sometimes moving on is a better solution and maybe you can revisit the pattern at some point. I agree there are far too many designs out there...gotta pick wisely! But I do love the name! You always are so witty!
ReplyDeletei actually liked your quilt blocks. i love green and brown together. i'd like a chance at the template. thanks!
ReplyDeletei still use those pens. I'd like to be entered for the pen drawing. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteLove that template! I'm addicted to templates, I don't know why I don't already have it.
ReplyDeleteI use pigma pens for labels. I'd take them off your hands! Lol
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to get the top. Thanks so much Preeti. It will have a good home. Although I SHOULD send it to a shelter or donate it, I cannot! It is in my very favorite colors in the world and will give me the encouragement I need to finish it and keep it for myself. Selfish I admit, but I need it right now. Congrats to the other winners and I am sorry to those who didn't win. I have a bunch of stuff i should give away as well!! HMMM! Maybe i will. Thanks again Preeti. Say Hi to Paul. I have sent my email address on to you by email!
ReplyDelete