Friday, March 23, 2012

Fabric Choices

I freely admit I'm persnickity and I have a stubborn streak. So.. I had this pattern layout floating in my tiny brain that SHOULD have turned out good. It didn't! And it wasn't the pattern that was the problem, but my fabric choices. Don't ask me why I didn't see that it was going wrong while I was constructing it... it really showed up at it's worst when the flimsie was all finished. It looks muddy and chaotic, which is a real issue for me. So this first version is a tutorial on what NOT to do!
First of all, on this scrappy, you really need to use a really light or a really dark background. This in-between collection of scraps that I had of various white-on-cream fabrics was a disaster for this pattern. It cost me all the definition I was shooting for. Also, on the blades of the ribbon star blocks, I found that if I used any lighter colored fabrics on the blades, the blade disappeared and left an ill-defined star.
On the checkerboard sashings, using the scrappy backgrounds was a mistake because it blended too much with the colored squares and again cost me definition.
Don't get me wrong... it's not a totally ugly flimsy... just could be SO much BETTER!

So, being stubborn, as I stated earlier, I did the whole thing over, using WOW as the background and being careful not to use any scraps of color that were too light. Look at the difference! Same exact pattern I designed for the first one, and mostly the same colored fabrics... but I like this one lots better!




I'll probably end up ripping the first one apart, but NOT TODAY! I think I'll go play around with some new ideas instead.

Happy Quilting!
Jean MaDan

17 comments:

  1. Dont rip the first one apart, Jean! I think all it needs is a calm outer border-maybe with some earthy tones. It's perfectly beautiful. I understand about the persnickity and stubborn - we must be from the same gene pool.

    ReplyDelete
  2. truthfully--I like them both! Although I really like the 2nd quilt---I've been climbing out of my rut and trying to make quilts more like the first--a bit more blended and soft. The 2nd one is more dramatic in contrast--or--as my best friend says "poke your eye out" type of quilt. The first just makes a softer statement. I wouldn't rip--maybe just a bit of calm binding with or without a narrow border is all it needs.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hmmm... maybe both of you are right... a softer border and call it done, huh? Thanks, Ladies!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I see what you mean. They are really both lovely, but the first one--more calming and subtle, the second one, it just zings! I have often seen book writers make versions like this saying how important the contrast is between pieces.
    Don't tear apart the first one, finish it and learn.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I clearly see the difference and knowing you, I know what you are saying. But with the first, I think it isn't so much the background choices as it is the lost star points. And I can about guess what will happen to the it. LOL

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. To the it.....that made a lot of sense huh? LOL

      Delete
    2. Yep.. you know me oh-so-well! *snicker* But it will be a while before I make the changes on it. LOL!

      Delete
  6. I really like the pattern, in fact, I like both versions. Did you say there is going to be a tutorial.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Actually, what I was saying was that the first quilt IS a tutorial.. on what NOT to do! LOL!

      Delete
  7. I like them both and presuming that they will go to different recipients then they won't be shown next to each other anyway

    ReplyDelete
  8. I love them both and I know that they will look even better when quilted. The colours look great in both versions and I sure wouldn't take the first one apart. Love the design too.
    Hugs, Jan Mac
    Aussie

    ReplyDelete
  9. I like the first version, but love the second one. I like high contrast, but I think the commentors who suggested using a calming fabric as a border for the first quilt are right. I think it would really make it worr.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I do see your point but I bet the quilting will make the stars pop and make them shine. I don't think you need to deconstruct it.

    ReplyDelete
  11. No! Don't rip the first one apart! It's it still a pretty quilt, even if it's not what you imagined. Add a border and donate it! I know someone will think it is just lovely. Actually, I think it looks very soft and pretty. It will look really beautiful when quilted!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Jean, I would keep them both. On the first, I could see a soft border with a little lace trim. The second one I could see more bolder border.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I prefer the background of the first one, but I agree with you that some star points and setting squares disappear. I would applique darker pieces over just those few!

    ReplyDelete
  14. WOW what a difference color choice makes. Loved them both but the stars on the first one did get lost somewhat but as always you did a beautiful job.

    ReplyDelete

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.