Tranquil Treasures by Evelyn Sloppy from her book Strips and Strings - 16 Sparkling Quilts |
The next group of blocks combine the lightest lights (Group #6) with the next slightly darker lights (Group #5.) There are eight blocks with this combination, followed by twelve blocks using Groups #5 & #4.
It was at this point that I started having serious doubts about how this was all coming together. To tell the truth, I seriously hated it! My multicolored fabrics are a widely varied collection. There are bright, primary-color prints, softer jewel tones, and muddier earthy tones. In my opinion, getting them all to play together nicely wasn't working out so well.
Watercolor Fabrics, Group #3 Dark Medium |
I continued on, hoping that adding some darker colors would help pull it all together. I like it a little better with the new batch of blocks added, but not enough to keep going with this. I'm contemplating throwing in the towel on this project. I'm not very happy with the results, and I'm not willing to put in any more time on it right now.
I am linking up with the Rainbow Scrap Challenge on Saturday and at Oh Scrap! over at Quilting is more fun than Housework on Sunday. Be sure to check out all of the wonderful scrappy projects that everyone is sharing!
Julie in GA
I think it's looking lovely--a real glowing central portion in it. It is not so easy to blend those fabrics...nice WIP hugs, Julierose
ReplyDeleteI think it looks great! I would continue with it if I was you. Your going for an overall visual affect. This would make a lovely quilt. It would make a wonderful picnic quilt that you wouldn't have to worry about using because the fabrics would hid stains and such. It would make a good every day use quilt.
ReplyDeleteI THINK YOUR QUILT LOOKS FANTASTIC!!! no, really! it looks great! sometimes when a project is our own, we can't see the forest for the trees, so to speak. I think as you add each layer around the center, it will get better and better, and will blend and flow like you're looking for. keep plugging away (after a necessary break, of course!)
ReplyDeleteYou are doing teriffic with your water color quilt. I have never attempted one.
ReplyDeleteI like the results so far! You're closer to the fabrics and can see how the colors and styles don't seem to play together well. For those of us looking at the photograph, we see the play of values and less of particular colors and styles. Maybe one more round of blocks will help...
ReplyDeleteI think it looks good. Maybe slip in some wow pops of color here and there.
ReplyDeleteRight now you can't see the forest for the individual trees. As my favorite teacher says "You won't be able to tell the difference on a galloping horse at dusk." Take a break and then continue. If you still can't see the beauty, send it to me!
ReplyDeleteAnytime you're not liking what's going on with a quilt, TAKE A PICTURE!! Students in a recent class were complaining their quilts weren't working. I took a photo and showed the makers otherwise. Sometimes it's just a matter of stepping back to get a different perspective. Re: your quilt in progress... LOVE it!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI agree with the other commenters. Really scrappy quilts always make you go "hmm?!" from up close, especially during construction. It's when you step back and get the overall impact from a distance that it turns into a wow! I like what you have so far, but you can totally toss it aside and move on if you're not feeling the love.
ReplyDeleteOh what you do with your fabric colors are amazing. Nicely done, Julie!
ReplyDeleteI agree also. The last photo is looking good with the center glowing. Take a break, so something you really like and then step back later. You may see it in a new light. But putting lots of quilting effort into something that does not feel good is not worth your time. They are only scraps, after all.
ReplyDeleteWhat is there not to like? It is beautiful. You are doing great with your colors.
ReplyDeleteIn the pictures it's looking darn good. It's hard to work on something you're not in love with, I know. Will you be able to come back to it if you put it away for a bit? Will it be big enough soon to be finished off and given away? Someone with a less well developed color sense would appreciate the time and effort that went into it and be glad to have it. I feel your pain but encourage you to carry on!
ReplyDeleteI love your fabrics--great effect.
ReplyDeleteKeep going! It already looks great! Seeing it from a distance does make the heart grow fonder.
ReplyDeleteI agree that it's fantastic. I understand that in person you may not like it, but the photos are quite amazing. The ombré effect is clearly there, and I don't see any fabric that sticks out like a sore thumb.
ReplyDeleteI think you should keep going. At worst, donate it to a charity and consider it a generous use of scraps and a lesson learned! But do keep taking photos to get the perspective and maybe you'll end up loving and keeping it, too!
ReplyDeleteoh please do not throw in the towel. I think that you have something quite amazing started here. PPPPPLLLLLEEEAAAASE keep going!
ReplyDeletePlease keep going!! It is coming together beautifully!! I would suggest using a reducing lens (looks like a magnifying lens - you can buy them in the notions dept). Quicker than pictures. This is going to be awesome - don't break our collective hearts!!! ;-)
ReplyDeleteI am with the crowd. This is beautiful Julie! Thanks for sharing with Oh Scrap!
ReplyDeleteIt's looking really wonderful! Maybe leave it up on the design wall for a few days, then have a relook, you might be surprised!
ReplyDeleteYour watercolor design looks wonderful. I recognized that Easter egg print (centermost in the photo of your misc. multi prints). I made napkins out of that fabric and we used them for Easter dinner yesterday!
ReplyDeleteDon't throw in the towel!!!! Unless the photos are IMMENSELY flattering, this quilt is coming along wonderfully! You may never love it, but I can guarantee someone absolutely will. Just keep on sewing, sewing, sewing . . . (lynnstck[at]yahoo.com)
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