Sunday, May 4, 2008

What do you know!

Funny how writing the previous post helped me make decisions about this quilt. As soon as I finished the post I tossed all but five of the blocks into the garbage. I tucked the red oak leaf wreath in my basket for handwork, took the silver thread out of the peacock's tail, took the funny braid off the apple basket and the edge braid off the red and gold basket. I pulled out my basket of rolled up Baltimore patterns, found the appropriate patterns, matched them with the kept blocks and put them back into the drawer.

Then I started reading the comments being left on the post. Call me silly - but it never occurred to me to put the twelve finished blocks together into a quilt top. I my mind Baltimore album quilts are square, so I needed either sixteen blocks or twenty five blocks. I started thinking about the comments that had been left and realized that the quilt police would not come arrest me if I constructed a simple twelve block album top from the finished blocks. I pulled out the five blocks I had saved and took another look at them. And decided that I didn't want to spend my precious time finishing them when there are so many other projects I'd rather do. So I pulled out all the pins, took the needles off the thread, and tossed the remaining five blocks into the waste basket.

I had several possible border choices in my stash so I chose one and went to work. I trimmed the blocks to 15 1/2", sashed them with 1" strips, cut cornerstones from the edges of the tossed blocks, and sewed the top together. As I worked on this top I felt a marvelous sense of relief. My oldest UFO is now a finished top - one that I can use for practicing machine quilting on appliqué. The appliqué itself is far from perfect as these are the pieces I learned on, so it makes sense to learn new quilting patterns on the top.

Thanks to everyone who helped me work toward this decision. I couldn't possibly be happier!


32 comments:

Mary Johnson said...

Now that's what I call progress! I'm so glad you went with the 12 blocks - it's gorgeous!

antique quilter said...

Looks wonderful, yeah and its done!!!! no longer a ufo!
Kathie

Helen in the UK said...

Yeah - congrats on turning a long time UFO into a finished top. It is often hard to 'let go' of some things we've invested time in previously but now you've turned those blocks into a useful top. Hope it becomes a quilt soon :)

sewkalico said...

I think it looks brilliant. All those blocks go together so well and looking again at the previous post it's good to just move on from some of those blocks that werte just bringing you down.

Now seeing as you're on a roll, I have a 20year old UFO I'll be mailing to you in the morning LOL.

sewprimitive karen said...

Wow, that was fast, I hadn't even seen the post before. What a beautiful quilt top. Wow, and you learned on those blocks? They are exquisite. Glad you didn't toss the peacock, he's very neat.

Featheronawire Sally Bramald said...

It looks great?
I have nine of these in my ufo pile. I know I could make a quilt with them on point but I have two kinds of hearts , One vertical and one diagonal.
They just sit there...
And they make me feel guilty.

Carla said...

Wow, that turned out to be really nice! I love how the blocks float on your red background. One more UFO bites the dust!

Kristie said...

Wow! You just don't waste any time do you? I think it looks beautiful!
Kristie

Lissa Jane said...

Patti
this looks FANTASTIC!!! I am looking at your unfinished tops list and I cannot believe how much you have finished!
*bowing* 'I am not worthy'!!!

you are a legend!!!

Lissa

Carolyn said...

The quilt looks fabulous, congratulations!

Anonymous said...

I think it looks perfect now. No use using your valuable time on something that doesn't thrill you anymore. I'll block the quilt police from your house if they come a knockin'. They already know not to mess with me! Bravo for finishing this beautiful top.
Patti

dot said...

That quilt turned out really nice. I like the red, it is a really stunning quilt. See what happens when you work outside the box? Isn't it fun?

Tracey in CT said...

See? There ARE NO QUILT POLICE. You let go of the 'should haves' and now you have a gorgeous quilt to show for it! Great job! Doesn't it feel wonderful to just do it and not worry about the 'should haves'? It is beautiful.

Libby said...

You've come up with a wonderful solution. Way to go!

Featheronawire Sally Bramald said...

Correcting my earlier statement, There was not supposed to be a question mark, it was supposed to be an exclamation mark, as I think these blocks look fantastic in this quilt.

Beth said...

I'm SO proud of you! I think I heard that sigh of relief from my house! We want to see the practice quilting if you please...I will show mine when I get my handles on the HQ..so you have to share too..hehehehehe

Judy said...

YIPPEE!! I started reading and at 5" blocks saved" I hung my head...I clapped when I saw you tossed them all! Goody for you. It's perfect, and gorgeous, they are compliment the others and it's done!

Chocolate Cat said...

Congratulations ,it is beautiful and you will enjoy it finished. Good on you for just tossing the other blocks , no point holding onto them any longer. Wish I could do that in my house - I am a hoarder of everything trying to break the habit!!!

The Calico Cat said...

I took a year long BAQ class & 12 blocks was our goal. Most gals were going to do a big block in the center... Mine will be on point when I finally finish my last block.

Danetta said...

OH this is just gorgeous!

Carin said...

absolutely beautiful!!!

ForestJane said...

Great choice of keeping some and trashing others, and that looks like a superb finished quilt top to me... the colors are all balanced and the blocks arranged nicely. :)

Anonymous said...

It is looking absolutely stunning!

Lily Boot said...

omg - you are amazing Patti! It looks so lovely - but where are all these quilts going when you are done! :-) You are the most productive quilter I have ever encountered! Good for you, finishing off something that bugged you so much! :-)

KC Quilter said...

Absolutely stunning, Patti!!!

annapaola said...

CIAO.
Very very beautiful job and work..
yout quilt and applique are beautiful...
sorry for my english.
ciao
ciao
anna paola italy

Nicole said...

That is just exquisite. What amazing work you do.

Libby said...

Seems like the best possible solution and the top is lovely!

StitchinByTheLake said...

This quilt is stunning! I don't think it could have been any more beautiful. Wish I could gather up some of your energy!

Teresa said...

I think you made the perfect choice. Your quilt is lovely.

Sweet P said...

No quilt police here! Your quilt is simply stunning! Enjoy quilting it.

Evelyn aka Starfishy said...

Beautiful, lovely and looking perfect from here! Great job!!!

Cheers!
Evelyn