Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Deep freeze

Well, friends, what has happened to fall? I would swear it was here just a minute ago. Instead the temperatures are in the single digits--with wind! Good thing I have some quilts laying around here, or we'd all be Popsicles.

In addition to getting my chattering teeth under control, I have been working on the rainbow triangle quilt diligently. Okay, only semi-diligently, but I am making progress:

Indoor picture! Too cold for outside!

Did you ever have a situation where you "forgot" how to do something that you've known how to do forever? That seems to be a theme with this quilt. First, I was working on making some more blocks to fill out the quilt center when I discovered (halfway through a block) that I had used the wrong size triangle paper. So now I have three lovely 4 1/2 inch 9-patches instead of 6 inch ones.

Adorable! And an inch and a half too small.

Then I kind of had a brain freeze about the sashing. For some reason, I kept getting the pieces mixed up and at one point ended up having to make Y-seams to add in the setting triangles. What? I Knew THAT was wrong! I finally went back to the way I almost always do the sashing-- block by block. I hate having to sew on long, skinny strips.


I think that somehow I started putting the sashing on the wrong sides of the blocks so that they wouldn't fit easily with the others and that messed everything else up. I have it straightened out now, though!

So, now I'm looking at possible border fabrics. These are my current choices:


Hmmm. I don't think I like any of them with the sashing. Any of them would have worked with a white sashing, but the black and white has me thrown. The stripes are definitely out, but they might make a nice binding. If I had enough of the black and white fabric I would just use that and be "modern," but I'm almost out. I may have to use a black, but I'm afraid that would be too heavy. I guess the ending will be a surprise--even to me!

I also did a bunch of cutting for a new quilt. Check it out:


I think you can guess what this will be! (The file name for this picture is "frozen parts." Ha! It certainly fits today!) I'm almost done with the pink and green Drunkard's Path (come back Friday to see) and want to start a new one. They are addictive!

That's it from here in the frozen north. Everybody stay warm! Happy sewing!

Linking to Fabric Tuesday, WIP Wednesday, and Let's Bee Social, and also the awesome Angela at soscrappy for RSC14.

(Bonus blogging tip: when scheduling a post, make sure you click "am" and not "pm" for the time! Sorry to be late!)

19 comments:

Connie Kresin Campbell said...

Your blocks look great and I like the paint splattered look fabric. Have fun and keep warm!

Kathy S. said...

Love that black/white background! Great work!

Cathy said...

I hate when I mess up on the size of a block. Maybe use those cuties in the backing? I agree with you on the border fabrics. None of them are quite right. But maybe audition two borders? Maybe a thin black and then one of these? I personally like the one with the circles. But maybe the black in between the center and other border will frame it enough that the black won't be needed in the outer border. Just a thought! Great work. I love this quilt top.

Margaret said...

Nice and bright for a nasty cold day. At least here the sun is shining after two days of snow! I know how you feel about too small blocks. I seen to specialize in them!

Rachel said...

What if you did a small white or black border before the colored borders you were considering? A little bit of solid might separate the busy fabrics enough. Looking good!

Pat Converse said...

Love this quilt! I like that black & white sashing. One of your blocks looks like it has a black with multi dots. Something like that would make a good border. I think the stripe would make a fantastic binding!

Anonymous said...

I have had that sort of mental block more times than I care to admit. It is so weird when that happens...
I like the idea of adding a thin black border before the colorful border. My vote is for the striped fabric cut on the bias. I love a bias striped border!

Quiltdivajulie said...

I would add a very narrow black stop border and then try the polka dot and splatter fabrics ...

JanineMarie said...

I like reading everyone's ideas! Here's another thought--does it need a border? I've been going borderless on most of my quilts lately. I'm not sure why, except that I don't really like sewing those long seams either.

Lorna McMahon said...

Your triangle blocks are looking good. You are making great progress! Keep warm!

Sharon said...

Your blocks are looking great. And lovely fabs for your 'frozen parts' DP. I'm still thawing out here, brrr, too cold too soon!

Alycia~Quiltygirl said...

What a great quilt tho!! I sort of like the bubble dot print for a border... Great colors and awesome quilt!

scraphappy said...

Great progress on the RSC blocks. I think we all get stuck on simple things sometimes, but I'm glad it is all coming together. I'm sure the border will come to you once it is ready for them. Good luck!

Nell's Quilts said...

The black and white print sashing is just perfect for your blocks. The top is coming along so nicely. Some good suggestions for the borders. You'll find the one just right for you.

Katie Z. said...

Your blocks are beautiful.

Chantal said...

Great progress! even with all the backward steps you have accomplished a lot. For the border, I would go with the fabric in the middle. I know you don't like to sew long tiny strips but, if it was me, I would add a slim black border before the final colourful border and, yes, the stripy rainbow would look good as binding. Anyway, you choose, it will look great I am sure. You've already made such a great job so far. ;^)

Terri said...

Your rainbow blocks are looking great. No help on the borders, except I think the stripe would be great on the bias as a binding.

LA Paylor said...

if misery loves company, I feel your pain! I forget too, and have so many projects going on that I think I'll remember it all and can't. I like all the border fabric but you can't really tell until the blocks are on the wall as pattern line and color all work together. I don't mind the black and white with the colors, it all blends with the brilliant color in each block. LeeAnna at not afraid of color

Anonymous said...

I have had those kinds of quilting days! I am currently working on a quilt in which the main block should have used 2" strips...but i cut them 2 1/2" and decided to just go with it..the main blocks are now enormous and my original design would have me making a bed size quilt rather than a lap quilt..The person who gets the quilt will never know! lol