Friday, August 1, 2014

Surprise finish

Surprise--it's August! How did THAT happen?

Here's another surprise: I finished the blue fields and furrows quilt:

A clothesline--my grandmother would be so proud!
Did you ever think you would finish a quilt one way, only to finish it in a completely different way? That's what happened with this one. When we last left this project, I was trying to decide between a border of squares or rectangles. Turns out that neither of them looked very good, so I had to come up with something else. That's how I got the narrow white and blue borders. Kind of goes with the "furrows" idea, you know? I thought I was home free with this one, but then I started putting the border fabric--that is a part of this fabric line and that I have had for AGES--with the quilt center. It looked awful. Really. Take a look:


Aaack! Where did those giant hot pink flowers come from? Yikes. Ok, it's not so bad, but it completely clashes with the relaxed vibe of this quilt. There was no way I could use that fabric on this quilt. Time for Plan C (actually we may be at Plan E or F by now, but. . .) My only real option was the wide white border. I have more of the solid-looking blue for the binding, so that will make a nice frame. I'm disappointed about the border, but I do like the fields and furrows center. I think this is one that I'll like a lot more after it's finished.

All in all, I'm fairly happy with how this turned out, especially considering its origins. (For that story, see HERE.) I didn't set out to make a two fabric quilt, but I like how it used up all of those HSTs--and then some, because you may have noticed that what was a 5 by 6 quilt is now a 6 by 7 quilt.  (With 378 HSTs!) I just couldn't leave a triangle behind, so I made a few more so that they all got used up.

I'm counting this as a major scrap finish. I'm just sick about that border fabric, though. I can't stand to waste any fabric!I would just give it away, but I feel like at some point I can strip it together with another color to make a backing or something. At least that's what I'm telling myself.

Speaking of using every inch of fabric. . .does anyone want these?


These are the cutoff pieces from the HSTs. There are a couple hundred, and I sewed one set together to get an idea of the size:


I can't guarantee that they're all the same size, but probably they could reliably be expected to be 1 1/2 inches, to finish at one inch. They are from first-quality Moda fabric, which means I can't bring myself to throw them out. I could probably come up with something to do with them, but I have plenty of projects. Maybe someone makes miniatures? Any way, if you would like them, I would be happy to mail them to you. Leave me a comment and let me know what you'll do with them. If more than one person wants them, I'll pick a random number. Let's say Monday at noon central time? That sounds good to me.

Well, that's my surprise finish! Everyone have a great weekend. I can't believe it's August! Here's to sipping a cool drink during the dog days.

Linking with Sarah and Amanda Jean, and maybe also Angela because this was all scraps. I'll have to check the posting rules on that. I see that August's color for RSC14 is bright green.  From what everyone was saying, I was all set for orange! Here's my pathetic stash of bright green scraps:


I may have to go shopping, and isn't that a tragedy?

Happy sewing!

11 comments:

Rachel said...

Wow! The scale of that fabric looks a lot smaller in the triangles! :O I like the white borders though, there's lots of room to play with the quilting! Could you use the pink flowers on blue for the back instead?

Joanne H. said...

I love your quilt top and agree the bold fabric doesn't work for a border. I would like to win your cutoffs! I would make a scrappy hst quilt them

Sherry said...

I think you made the right decision on your borders. Congrats on a wonderful finish!

Anonymous said...

This is a great finish. I like the white borders. It works perfectly.

I am in the same situation for the bright green scraps for RSC14. I have tons of darker greens but not so much on the brights. Kind of funny to go buy something for a scrap challenge ???

Unknown said...

I love your quilt top! I would love your scraps. I would use them for a mini hst quilt. I want to make some quilts to decorate the walls in my new sewing room.

szkornelia said...

Nice quilt. I also like the light border better, it is so much more sophisticated this way.

Nell's Quilts said...

You finished your blue fields and furrows just right. Have fun with the bright and light greens in August.

Carla A Few Of My Favorite Things said...

I agree about your border, but one never knows till we try them out. I am sure you will find a good use for that fabric. The blue fields and furrows turned out wonderfully that is what is important.

Steph Blair said...

I actually love the border you chose in the end. It's got a really calm and classy feel, and highlights the great piecing. I like the idea of the large hot pink flowery fabric as a backing above - a wonderful hidden splash of colour.

ps - if you seriously have no takers for the off cut blocks, I'd find a home for them. I too can't throw away good fabric even when I've no real need for it. I am int eh UK though.

Jo said...

I love the 2 colour quilt and I would use the floral on the back...
I would love the off cuts to put into a zigzag border. I think they are cute. I am in a scrap year of sewing.
Good luck with your greens.

scraphappy said...

So sorry to see your light and bright greens are so lonely. They definitely need more company. Great yes of HST blocks. They look great with the white border. I think the rejected border print is a great start to the back. So much fun to use it all up.