That’s how I look at it. I just got a free quilt. Here’s how. On my last post I talked about my love of making blocks, thus accumulating numerous orphan blocks. Instead of putting them in my “someday” pile where they would be out of sight and out of mind, I slap them onto my design wall in the hopes of getting back to them and actually finishing a project.
Among my many blocks was this appliqué block of bright colored fabrics and batiks and was from the book Quilting for Joy (Barbara Brandeburg and Teri Christopherson). I fully intended to add the little bird and make it into a pillow…someday.
Also there were several of these blocks made out of 30’s prints. The pattern is Butterfly Chain and I downloaded it from rjrfabrics.com. Again, this was something I wanted to finish … someday. Then one day as I walked into my “studio” (read corner of my basement where I hide my stash and do my sewing) my eyes slid over the design wall, and my brain said, those blocks don’t look too bad together. Who would have thought about putting brights, batiks and 30’s fabrics into one quilt. I started playing around and came up with the design, then, thinking it really needed some kind of border, I rummaged through my box of orphans and found the appliqué flowers on vine that I had made years ago and could not remember why, …and they worked.
And that’s how I got a free quilt. I didn't have to buy new fabrics or new patterns. I think of it as free. Afterall, if I hadn't done this, it would probably have been wasted fabric because there are always newer patterns and fabrics calling my name and demanding my time. What a wonderful way to save money and still enjoy your love of quilting. You can do that too. I bet you are like other quilters, with lots of orphan blocks. Be creative. Let yourself go. Have fun. I’ve heard it said that every quilt is a learning experience. You will certainly learn something by doing this exercise. If nothing else, you will gain confidence. Don’t wait until someday. Do it now. Create!
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CT publishing has a great tutorial for a folder folio. A great way to stay organized.
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Until Next Time: Happy Quilting!
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Until Next Time: Happy Quilting!
Caroll
7 comments:
How adorable! It definitely doesn't look like an orphan block quilt. You've inspired me to pull out my growing stack of orphan blocks.
What a great idea, and what a beautiful result you had!
Wow! That is beautiful and love all the colors. How about I send all my orphans to you, you do a much better job of pulling it all together. Just gorgeous!
Very nice quilt! I tried to respond to your comment that you left on my blog, but you are not set up to get emails. The panto I used was cotton candy. I have to be careduly to only go up to a 6" width because I have a grave frame. Hope this helps!
Your free quilt is wonderful. What an eye for putting them together.
What a fabulous quilt, it makes me smile just looking at it! I have just finished up the oldest UFO I had and now you have given me an idea for all my orphan blocks.
Happy quilting!
ohhh I love this quilt...looks terrific..hugs Khris
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