Here's how an Around the Block -a type of round robin - works. Each person makes a starting block and bastes it onto a grid wherever they want it. The project is circulated among the group, with each person responsible for "filling" a certain number of squares in the grid. Blocks are basted on as the project circulates, and each participant must choose from the squares left when deciding what blocks to make. Already made blocks can't be moved, so sometimes one is doing something long and skinny, sometimes a lot of little blocks, but rarely a nice large square block after the first few rounds.
Here is the block I started with. I asked for warm, autumn colors and an autumn theme.
Here is what it looks like after everyone's contribution. Every single one a wonderful addition, but what in heavens name was my one friend thinking about when she used the blue batik background? It's a wonderful fabric and a wonderful contribution, but that blue doesn't "go" at all. Her's was the second addition, so she obviously could tell the color was very different. When I got it back at our retreat last fall she apologetically said "I probably shouldn't have used the blue but it was such a beautiful piece of fabric that I decided to use it anyway." I just smiled and said I agreed - it was a beautiful piece of fabric.
Here is a close-up of her contribution. I wish all the people who added blocks after hers would have recognized the problem and added some bright blue touches, but that didn't happen.
They must all think I need an additional challenge too - you can see three places where I'll need to do a set-in seam. That doesn't bother me, but I've never seen an Around the Block come back to someone that way!
I need to make more additions that contain a similar blue that can be spread throughout the piece to balance out this block. I thought I'd separate the two strips of wonky flying geese and put them in two different places. I can also separate the bear paw blocks and spread them out. Then I can either do some new applique blocks that include the blue, piece more filled blocks that include the blue, or both. This was supposed to be at least a finished top by the next retreat - which is the last weekend of next month. That isn't going to happen!
Ideas anyone?
17 comments:
I would do blue in the set-ins - doesn't really mater what, IMHO. (probably pieced blocks) Then I would do a flying geese border (bigger geese - 3 x 6 maybe)on the opposite two sides (know what I mean) with the blue as the sky for the geese - so now you will have blue on both corners. Then reevaluate...
I forgot to mention, that I like it & that I have a UFO that is scrappy Autumnal with 3 light blues (all of which are lighter than this one) for the background....
And in my mind the flying geese that I suggest that you make could either be the whole length of the two sides or just in the corner with more blocks inthe autumnal range finishing those "rows." Maybe you can move the "swag" type block out to the "new" corner...(if you "can" move it at all - are you allowed to move it?)
BTW I am goignt o think about this design challenge for a while!
Yup, needs more blue for sure! How moving the top two bears paws and adding some there?
I have a pieced autumn leaf quilt on turquoise - all batiks - that I've never quilted. It's beautiful, but doesn't "go with" my other autumn stuff ...
I have a different vision- add gold/yellow around that blue-and the effect to me is a sunny, blue sky autumn day...ok-so I have a rebel approach/vision! I think Jeanne gave you some good ideas-but agree with why didn't others help out in the balancing?? and to add to the challenge of odd shaped blocks too..Patti, you do have some challenge!
Okay, I shouldn't but I will.....you might consider using a fabric paint or dye to change the blue to more of a green color. I have had good luck with Setacolor but I know there are many products out there. I'd use something you can paint on and and control the concentration as well as area of application.
Move the bearpaws...see if you can find some more of that blue and add it to that corner...we;ll be awaiting a pic of what you decide...
I really like the colors (all of them) and the blocks, it will be a fun quilt to own.
I would dye those two blocks , put them in rit tan color and hopefully it will tone that down....or add lots more applqiue covering lots of that blue then add little pieces of blue in the border and add a few blue berries!!!!!
Big vote to dye that fabric
another idea cut away some of the blue background and make the blocks liberated log cabin style block add some other fabrics to make the size you need!
Look at Bonnies shoo fly quilt like those blocks!!!!!!
can' you tell I don't like that blue!!!!
I think it would just stay a UFO for me! *LOL* I know....it is a beautiful sky looking, or watery looking fabric..but some people's tastes are so different than mine I just don't know how they thought what they thought when they did it! unless you add more blue somewhere to balance it out...
Or put that section on the BACK of the quilt?? I know, I'm not much help am I? This is why I don't do round robins anymore..*LOL*
Bonnie
Everyone's ideas are wonderful. I too thought of a lovely sunny crisp, clear autumn day - which although lovely, doesn't fit with your quilt. Blue is good in country quilts but not that blue LOL. If the applique wasn't so complicated you could just cut around it and reapplique it to a more appropriate background. All I can say is good luck :-) which is actually no help at all LOL.
I'm just going to say I popped in to say "hi"..and while I love the place you started..it become an "oh my gosh" ending. Either they/she believe you have incredible problem solving skills, or they/she are resentful of your talent..LOL. Mostly I'm kidding, but how could you do that blue batik to someone you like???
I think I'd take it totally apart and call it "unrounded" robin.
I vote for using them on the back as your label writing in the blue background.
I don't see how you can make them work on the front even by adding more blue to the quilt.
You've gotten lots of great suggestions, haven't you! My first inclination was to do the dyeing as well. My friend put some strong tea into a little spritzer bottle and mottled some too-white fabric once.
Good luck! Keep us posted!
What a dilemma you have on your hands---more blue vote here or some other blocks that include more blue. The bearpaw blocks looked like someone at least tried to balance it out. Good luck!
It is hard when you do not share someone's else vision and what's worse, have to SHARE how the quilt finished out at the retreat the following year. Normally you might be able to just ditch the part that didn't go. If you overdye it to make it work, then you are modifying someone's else work. Sounds like a recipe for hurt feelings to me. Good luck!
I wouldn't use that blue block at all - remove it and make pillows or a wall hanging or something else with it.
If you feel you must use it, I vote for dying it to try to tone it down.
And maybe it is a good thing that no-one else tried to work with it - at least this way you aren't stuck with it.
Sorry, not sure if that was much help, but that is what I would do.
Cheers!
Evelyn
I am new to this blogging stuff and browsing around - I hope you don't mind if I comment. I would cut a straight line across between the upper group of leaves and the bottom two leaves - I would then cut the two bottom leaves into two separate blocks to be placed somewhere else in the quilt. There would be a bit of left over fabric that is sort of sticking off to the side that you could cut to use as bits for a few more flying geese, to add the blue around in different spots. I would also cut apart the flying geese and bear paws and spread them out abit as well. Hope you don't mind my comments. I am not really sure about the etiquette of blogging. Pam
I'm like Pam, just browsing around. I agree with her comment. If you could divide that blue block and then add other blue, I think it would work. The one other blue block already helps. Good luck.
This would be a fun project I think.
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