Thursday, February 4, 2010

My first quilt - chapter 6

Chapter 6

The plot thickens. 

(This is the point of tension in the story, where something happens to throw everything off balance.) 

As the pieces were laid out, there was a problem. 
 

The cheddar-y blocks just weren't working for me. It looked promising when it was a pile of uncut fat quarters, but now... not so much.

I can't explain it. There may be some of you who don't see a problem. I don't mean to offend anyone. But it's got to feel right.  And it didn't.

There's also the pressure of the being the "first quilt".  (Picture those words in blinking lights, recited by a deep, reverberating voice... firrrssstt quillllttt....  lol.) 

Rise to the challenge!  I can overcome. 

I think I can... fix it with a different color for the blocks.


I think I can... try a different layout.


No, no, no, stick to the original design, missy! 

I think I can.... keep pulling out the stash.


That's only some of the things I tried.  Through the process I took the pics for my benefit, as a way to step back. Of course there's also the squint-your-eyes technique.  Do the beginning quilting classes teach that one?  :-)

I have one more idea I'm picturing in my head.  If I'm lucky, it's waiting for me on the shelf of my local quilt shop. 

If not, I'm going to go with one of the above and call it good enough.  (If I told you which one, that would be cheating, now wouldn't it?!)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thanks for sashaying with me down the square dance memory lane yesterday.  Wow, what fun memories that brings back.

Writing this little story reminded me of other things I learned long ago, like plot and climax and resolution.  Remember protagonist and antagonist?  (Oooo, found those words in a dusty back corner of my brain!)

Of course, I'm the protagonist. 

My son has taken an interest in this quilt, which is surprising and sweet.  He's 17, that age when male communication is often scattered words and gutteral sounds that require an interpreter.  (He's used to me teasing him about it.)  Anyhow... he looked at some of the ideas and asked questions.  So, what did he think?  When he found out this was only going to be a little quilt, he said I should keep going and make it into a big quilt.  You know what that makes him? 

The antagonist.  (LOL.)

(No siding with him!  I'm tryng to get this done!) 

Meanwhile, I saw this quilt on the cover and had to buy the magazine.


Makes my heart beat faster.  Me and complicated quilts... moth to a light, like moth to a light.

14 comments:

Crispy said...

Hmmmm, none of the choice above really spoke to me...maybe a different shade of red...or yellow...the green isn't too bad. I wonder what you have got planned in your head. Ooooo love that complicated quilt, I love complicated too :0)

Crispy

Anonymous said...

I've really been enjoying reading these chapters your last several post and today must say I enjoyed hearing about your son showing some sort of interest etc.....I can quickly and easily relate and actually perhaps wrote that exact paragraph myself. :0)

Crafty Maine Mom said...

I did the same thing when making this quilt. I substituted black and then a brown cheese for the cheddar. In the end I found a toned down cheddar and went with it.

My daughter who is taking art classes right now says that yellow and purple are complimentary color and cause tension, which is a good thing.

Teresa Rawson said...

This is all very exciting...of course, I'm no help...I like the cheddar!!

But then, with the 250+ quilts I've made, I NEVER finished the first one I started!! (big confession) It's in a box waiting to be finished...it will be a big laugh some day to finish it. The technique is good, but the colors are garrish!!

I love your process, and can't wait to see which option you decided to go with. You are the one that will be presenting it, saying, "this is my first quilt!" You have to finish it so that will feel fantastic for YOU!!

In stitches,
Teresa :o0

Kaaren said...

I don't want this book to end. I hope the ending isn't going to be anticlimactic, Beth. I wouldn't be able to stand it!

The suspense is killing me...

KateKwiltz said...

I kind of liked the gray-ish stubstitution, it seemed to make it less busy. But in the end, you have to go with your gut -- not necessarily the original design. If you force it, you'll never love it.
Good luck!

Lori said...

OMG! I'm cracking up and love your story! I can't wait to see what you come up with!! I thought the green or darker red looked good.
And yes, my first quilt class I was taught to squint and look at your quilt!!
PLease, please post your quilt on my blog, even if it is still in pieces on your wall. Everybody is loving the mini quilt show.

wishes, true and kind said...

I think you're a fraud, Beth -- if that is your real name. How can this be your first quilt? No first time quilter is clever enough to try different fabrics and layouts -- and so many clever and creative layouts. I'm onto you!

Seriously -- I loved reading about your thinking and rethinking process. I tend to over think these things and sometimes end up going back to and loving what I started with. It's always harder for me to be subjective about my own work.

If this is your first quilt, I can't wait to see your tenth!

joan

Sue-Anne said...

I didn't think that little quilt could be set in so many ways. Now you have two big decisions to make! It's been fun seeing all the different little quilts.

Taryn said...

Thanks for sharing your (many) options. I am also no help because I like the cheddar, too. But, you are right, it has to speak to you...or maybe your son if you do decide to keep going and make it bigger.

Carrie P. said...

What interesting patterns you came up with. I really like the second photo with the quilt on the left. Your first quilt. Congratulations you can do it.

MARCIE said...

I love this post! You have great imagination. I love all your possibilities! Make it your way dear girl!

Anonymous said...

Beth,

I love the quilt and truth be told, we all need another excuse to visit the local quilt shop. A new fabby would be perfect, if not, I did see a few that would do a lovely job too.
On a side note, grunts and rolling eyes are a common form of communication with my son also. I just keep saying "this too, shall pass". God help all of mother's who do not have a clue about "boy" language.

Blissfully Stitching,
Bobbie
www.bobbieashley.com

Barb said...

i loved seeing all the options you are exploring!
I like the reds.
look forward to the finish.