Would this work?

Some time ago, just for fun, I made up a quilt design using small squares, large squares, small rectangles and large rectangles (as you do!). The quilt size is determined by the size of the small square, as all the other components are multiples of it. Later, I was asked to design a collection of patterns that could be sold at our recent exhibition. It was decided that this was not a viable proposition; but someone envisioned the collection of patterns and the quilt design as a whole and questioned whether it could be done as a kind of 'Block a month' quilt. I pondered, and have come up with ways and means. However, with so many pieced blocks, of unequal shapes and sizes, I think it might be just too busy - without any 'resting places'. So, now I am wondering whether a half inch border on every block, using a plainish fabric, would result in a sufficiently unifying/resting sashing. I could probably re-do the drawing of the whole thing, in order to put regular sashing in, but I would prefer to leave it as is, if at all possible.

What do you think?

Reply to
Pat S
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Pat, this sounds really interesting! But without a drawing to actually see whether it does look too busy or not, it's awfully difficult to know whether a sashing is necessary. :S That said, a couple of other possibilities occur to me. Would alternating plain blocks be an option, or would that really chop things up too much? Or would a sashing made of flying geese units that go in various directions (up, over, around the blocks) help to unify things, being busy enough to make the blocks seem tamer? (I'm not sure I've explained that last one very well at all. )

Reply to
Sandy Foster

I'm wondering if it would have a look kind of like a yellow brick road quilt would? There are several patterns similar. Yep they are busy but they still look great. Taria

Some time ago, just for fun, I made up a quilt design using small squares, large squares, small rectangles and large rectangles (as you do!). The quilt size is determined by the size of the small square, as all the other components are multiples of it. Later, I was asked to design a collection of patterns that could be sold at our recent exhibition. It was decided that this was not a viable proposition; but someone envisioned the collection of patterns and the quilt design as a whole and questioned whether it could be done as a kind of 'Block a month' quilt. I pondered, and have come up with ways and means. However, with so many pieced blocks, of unequal shapes and sizes, I think it might be just too busy - without any 'resting places'. So, now I am wondering whether a half inch border on every block, using a plainish fabric, would result in a sufficiently unifying/resting sashing. I could probably re-do the drawing of the whole thing, in order to put regular sashing in, but I would prefer to leave it as is, if at all possible.

What do you think?

Reply to
Taria

Thanks Sandy. I will be using flying Geese as a suggestion for one of the small rectangles; but I take your point. Please also see my reply to Taria, as I didn't explain myself fully. I did wonder about the occasional 'blank' block, just this morning! (Great minds!). I'll add it to the mix. It would certainly help the beginners in the group to make quicker progress. . In message , Sandy Foster writes

Reply to
Pat S

Thanks Taria. I was so keen to get my question typed out and ready to receive the group's suggestions that I forgot to mention how complex this is going to become! I had the idea of making it suitable for beginners and more experienced at the same time by designing block patterns in two related versions (easy and harder). The makers will be able to choose their own pattern for each block. And all the blocks - original intention - will be pieced. I can't recall precisely the Yellow Brick Road pattern, but I think I remember that is made with solid shapes, rather than pieced ones? If you have seen one that is all pieced, that will set my mind at rest - though I might put some plain blocks in, as Sandy suggested. . In message , Taria writes

Reply to
Pat S

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is just one example of a sampler quilt made up of different sized pieced blocks without sashings or frames......doesn't look too busy to me. Colour and fabric selections would have to really work together though, I think. Barnyowl

Reply to
barnyowl

Well, golly, Jenx. So much I didn't quite visualize about this thread and there you find an example. Thank you. I could change my mind (in the middle of this sentence, you know) but I've never been tempted by a block of the month. I like to know where I'm going. Well. Usually. Rambling here but yes, I think quilts should have resting spots, that quilt you found doesn't have one and I like it. It is not required to make sense. Polly

Reply to
Polly Esther

Wow! Yes: and it is even more 'busy' than an all-pieced 'sampler' would be - having the very different appliqué blocks alongside the pieced ones. In fact, I think adding sashing (even done by bordering each block) might detract from the overall effect. The picture makes the point that a definite colour scheme should be used for best effect. I will make that one of the first recommendations. Thanks for finding and posting the link to the photo J. . In message , barnyowl writes

Reply to
Pat S

It was thinking about what you have said so many times, Polly, about resting places, that caused me to ask the question! I had not given it a thought as the idea evolved. I can't draw up a finished design, as all the block patterns will be chosen by the makers each month (it will have to be a 'section' each month, as there are too many shapes for it all to be covered in a year). I will give them all a diagram of the whole design, though, at the very beginning. I hope the group gets some 'takers', as it will take a lot of work to set up - I'll enjoy it though (and I will do it all in plenty of time before the group's meeting each month - no more deadline horrors in this house >gWell, golly, Jenx. So much I didn't quite visualize about this thread

Reply to
Pat S

Years ago, there was a series of articles in QNM on when/whether/how to sash. Some of their ideas I agreed with, some I thought too rigid. There's always this - you could enjoy making the blocks and when complete, arrange them on a design wall with sashing to see what it brings to the party. The choice may even lie with the colour schemes; some may say 'I need to wear jewelry' and some say 'go away'. I'm hoping you'll be showing us your designs. Polly

Reply to
Polly Esther

if a single design wants to be 4 x 6 inch but needs to fit into a 6 x 6 space, just add a strip of plain fabric to one side. a tone on tone would be nice. there you have your resting place. here and there and you're away laughing as far as i'm concerned. :) that 4" x 6" (or any sizes) could be smaller filler blocks like QSTs, HSTs, bowties, flying geese or whatever floats your boat and fits the space/design nicely. no idea if that makes sense at all. i reckon its a good way to use up some of the scraps generated by the bigger pieced blocks and provides that continuity of colour/fabric needed. i find smaller filler blocks very restful as i dont need to think too much about what they are. :) just my take on this wee conundrum. :)) j.

"Polly Esther" writes ... Years ago, there was a series of articles in QNM on when/whether/how to sash. Some of their ideas I agreed with, some I thought too rigid. There's always this - you could enjoy making the blocks and when complete, arrange them on a design wall with sashing to see what it brings to the party. The choice may even lie with the colour schemes; some may say 'I need to wear jewelry' and some say 'go away'. I'm hoping you'll be showing us your designs. Polly

"Pat S" writes ...

Reply to
J*

I like the idea of a whole lot of seemingly random sqaures and rectangels without sashing. It would be busy, yes, but who says a quilt needs to be restful? Do you have EQ7? MAybe you could play around with that and come up with a solution. Personally right now I am definitely in the market for just something that you describe; I want to make a photoquilt for my middle daughter for her 18th birthday for september 2013. A random arrangement of sqaures and rectangles of varying sizes might just be what I'm looking for!.

I can't wait to see what you come up with! Keep me posted!

Claudia

Reply to
Claudia

Yes! a whole lot of different sized photographs, each with its own frame, might be a better use of my random design than pieced samplers! However, in this instance I am committed to what I promised the group members. I think I must scan my drawing and put it on my Flickr site. Then you can use it if it 'grabs' you >g< It will also help everyone see why the doubts came ... Since my separation, such things as this (seemingly simple to the more techy among you >g

Reply to
Pat S

If I were making this for myself, Polly, I would have a bash; but this is all going to be purely theoretical for the group members who liked the idea of choosing from several designs for each of the blocks. So, the designs will have to be finalised before any trial can take place. Having seen Jen's example, I am more confident. I will, however, be sure to strongly recommend a fairly restricted colour palette (I know Roberta will disagree!), as I do want them all to be very pleased with their individual quilts. I will not recommend that they use 'quiet' or 'tone on tone' fabrics, though >gYears ago, there was a series of articles in QNM on when/whether/how to

Reply to
Pat S

Thanks for this snippet J. I will be using flying geese and other simple blocks for those who don't want to do anything too complicated. So, if you think they are restful, the whole thing might not be as 'busy' as I first feared. Who knows, when I get down to making the full complement of block designs, I might come up with something which doesn't quite fit into square or rectangle, so I will need to use the filler strip! At least, with this concept, nothing will have to be symmetrical!! . In message , J* writes

Reply to
Pat S

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This is an I Spy quilt that I made several years ago with no block design and no idea of the finished result. I've used the same principle in making vests (waistcoats) for many clients. It is just another fun way to use up scraps. Barnyowl

Reply to
barnyowl

Reply to
Roberta

Reply to
Roberta

It's very interesting to see the difference between a truly scrappy and a restricted palette. I don't have the confidence to let my little group have their heads, as far as colour is concerned - just yet! Some of them have never even made one quilt. I'll gently suggest a small group of colours; but the rest of the choices will be theirs! Thanks for showing this very different quilt of yours. Fascinating to see what can be done 'out of the box', so to speak >g

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Reply to
Pat S

Thanks very much, Roberta. I will start putting together the first group of block patterns this week; so this discussion has been invaluable. . In message , Roberta writes

Reply to
Pat S

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