Sunday, June 27, 2021

Progress on Positivity

It's very unusual for me to have two blog posts in the same day, but this is the day to link up our progress on the Positivity Quilt Along. This quilt-along was started by Preeti of Sew Preeti Quilts to benefit Mercyful Quilts, which is overseen by Bernie. Today's link-up is being hosted by Bernie at her website Needle and Foot.

My Positivity quilt got off to a very slow start, mostly because I was having a hard time deciding on a color scheme. I considered several options (which you can read about in this blog post), then chose to go with turquoise and green plus signs with scrappy grey backgrounds. I had so many grey fabrics that I decided to try making a gradation of lighter background at the center of the quilt, shifting to darker around the outside. I have finished 36 blocks so far and decided that I like the effect so much that I won't be able to give this quilt away. Time to go to Plan B!


My second version of Positivity has tan backgrounds with blue plus signs. I'm trying to avoid repeating any of the fabrics and have made 30 blocks so far.


The first photo shows the blocks arranged randomly on the design wall. Then I decided to try the gradation idea again. I shifted the blocks around, aiming to get the lightest ones in the center and the darker at the corners. I'm not sure it's any better than the previous layout,  but it is a possibility for my final setting. 


The biggest challenge I am facing with this QAL is going to be the finishing. As you can tell, I have no trouble cranking out piles of blocks. However, the final quilting is much more difficult and less enjoyable for me. That is especially true right now since our house is a disaster area with renovations going on. I have lost the use of the front room where I normally have a large table set up plus an extra sewing machine. 

If there is anyone out there who loves to do machine quilting, but hasn't the time to make a quilt top for this quilt-along, I would be very happy to collaborate on this quilt. I could supply the quilt top, a backing, binding, and batting if needed. It might even mean I would have the time to make one more version of this quilt. If anyone reading this is interested in a joint project, I would love to hear from you!

Thanks so much to Preeti for hosting the Positivity QAL. She has lots of info and inspiration on her blog--it's not too late to join the fun! Thanks also to Bernie at Needle and Foot for hosting today's link-up.


Linking up with:
Positivity QAL Progress at Needle and Foot


Happy quilting everyone!

Julie in GA 

13 comments:

  1. Both versions are lovely, Julie! I would love to long arm your Positivity quilt -- I really wanted to participate in this QAL for a worthy cause but there's no way I'll get a top pieced in time. Reach out to me at Rebecca@RebeccaGraceQuilting.com and we'll work out the details. :-)

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  2. I love the gradation of the first one! I can see how you might have a hard time parting with it. The second one is also great, but with that one I love the randomness of the first layout. Not sure why that is, but I am sure you'll make the right decision in the end!

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  3. I like both of your versions of the Positivity quilt, Julie! I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who has trouble with the finishing step of quilting. I'm always slow at that, too. We'll get these done one way or another!

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  4. Those plus blocks can be really addictive, can't they? They're so easy and you can make a nice pile really fast. Your blocks look great, and I can really see why you want the first one for yourself. It looks kind of like the beach on a cloudy day. Have a good afternoon!

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  5. So funny to see many of us making two! (Wonder who's going to end up doing three?? Hmmm...) Love both of yours!

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  6. Julie - these are fantastic! I love both of them - soothing and very pretty. If you can work out getting your quilting done, feel free to send it on to me at that point. I am happy to bind it. If you have a binding that works, please include it. If not, I can probably figure something out. Thanks for joining in with us!!

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  7. I think making plus blocks must be like eating potato chips, or chocolates, or caramels or cashews, oh, where was I? You just can't stop at one. Or one quilt! I really like the gradation of the first quilt, and I find it fascinating that you were also able to work out a gradation with the second quilt even though you didn't set out to do that at first. And look at that. You already have interest in your finishing dilemma. Quilters are the best!

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  8. Oh no, I haven't made a single plus block yet and here you have done two tops. I'm still hoping to get to it, but there's a grandson's birthday quilt that have priority, and my quilting time is limited in this hot weather (no AC).
    Pat

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  9. I agree that both versions are so nice! Kudos to you for getting all that done while in the midst of home renovations!

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  10. I couldn't pick a favorite, Julie. I love them both!!

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  11. You've been really busy with those plus blocks. Both projects look great, but the teal and gray is my favorite of the two.

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  12. I agree these plus blocks are like potato chips. They are so easy to keep popping out. Glad you’ve got a solution to your quilting dilemma. I sure understand not being able to give up the turquoise one.

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  13. Preeti’s blocks go together so quickly! I hope you can work out a collaboration! Sometimes it takes a village!

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