Thursday, April 29, 2010


The Process...
I love this part of quilting, don't you? What? you're not a quilter and you're reading this blog? Well, bless your heart! About all I ever talk about is quilts! That's the whole point of this blog, even if I get sidetracked from time to time. OK, maybe oftener that I ought. What am I talking about when I mention "the process?" Well I am sure there are as many processes as their are quilters. No two do it alike. We like to be individuals, we quilters. And I even change my own process of construction when I feel in the mood to do so. I get bored doing things the same ole way all the time.

This quilt called for me to be more organized than I usually tend to be. Yes, I know I am probably shocking you when I say I lack organization;-). Most of the time I just fly by the seat of my pants. You know, grab some fabric, cut some fabric, sew some fabric. Done. In this case, I grabbed a whole lot of fabric and made way more sub-units than I needed- Sandy will get the extra as she is planning on making this quilt, also. This allows for lots of variety. And a scrappy quilt calls for a lot of variety, dontcha think? First there was a gazillion four patches, and then a gatrillion HSTs. Sewn into a bajillion flying geese. All nestled lovingly into their own designated box. Light stars, dark stars...stars inside of stars... Now all the sub-sewing is almost done and I can start to see the quilt come together. Oh how I love seeing that- knowing it will look even better once the blocks are sewn together.

You know, if it were just the finished project that thrills my heart, I could probably buy them already made- for cheaper. I love the grabbing and the cutting and the sewing. And watching the whole project evolve into that special, one of a kind, quilt.


11 comments:

julieQ said...

Oh, how gorgeous! That beautiful riot of color makes my heart pitty-pat. I love the organizational part...stacking, admiring the blocks...so pretty!

Elaine Adair said...

THIS is looking very interesting!

Part of MY process (good subject BTW) is learning to maintain interest, recovering from stupidity in the process, regaining enthusiasm, or creating something with MORE interest, etc. Even when we are bored with a project, or it looks like a UFO is getting started, it's important to maintain or regain enthusiasm to finish it, even if we don't want to - discipline, you know? Thanks for the subject, your pretty blocks/units and lovely color combinations!

Isobel said...

That is absolutely stunning. I admire your organization ideas also. I am temporarily or hiatus from quilting. I am making chair covers for Jessie's wedding reception and I would feel guilty if I took time out to piece before they are finished. I have made 22 and cut out 43 more. When I get those finished I have to buy more bolts of fabric. I am on hold on those also because of a spring cold that leaves me with not enough energy to do much but watch TV, nap and read and nap.

Julie in the Barn said...

Golllleee! Be still my heart! I just love scappy quilts and yours is looking so good. I'm definitely a seat of the pants type and hardly ever have a complete plan when I start piecing. I love every step of the process, well almost every step. The basting part is the pits.

Pamela (Peni) Teel said...

Beyond gorgeous, Nines! WOW! My process of quilting is similar to my process for painting - I often am more enthusiastic at the beginning & middle than at the end; but that is likely a perfectionist strain creeping to the foreground.

Enjoy your process - you do it so well!!

Pamela (Peni) Teel said...

BTW - love the brown tones mixed in there, especially.

Sarah said...

I love this one - but then which of your quilts don't I love. Is this pattern from a book? This would be a great one to work on as a leader/ender project while you are working on something else.

Taking a break from a frenzy of cleaning. Got a call at 8:45 last night that fred and cherry are coming this weekend. Cherry is actually coming tonight (Stacy is picking her up in B-ham) and Fred will drive down from B-ham tomorrow when he finishes his meetings. We could have used a little more notice! Apparently they thought that we knew they were coming. NOPE!!!! Ugh. You can probably guess what kind of mood I am in!

Better go get busy again!

Love you!

teelduo said...

Bless my heart, I read your blog. It's cause I love ya! LOL BEAUTIFUL as always!

Darcie said...

Oooh fun! So this is what makes Nina tick, eh?! ;-) I can just imagine you, sitting near that pile...humming to your heart's content!

Yes...the grabbing and the sewing is the best. I'll let you do all the cutting. ;-)

Love love love ya!

omg...you wouldn't believe...my word veri is: stripi!!! Too funny!!!

bingo~bonnie said...

ooough I love your blocks all laid out! Reminds me a lot of my "My Blue Heaven" that I've been swapping blocks with a friend to make for over a year...

http://bingobonnie.blogspot.com/search/label/My%20Blue%20Heaven%20Swap%20Blocks

the link above will take you to my posts about it - so you can see how similar they are. I love your scrappy colors!

Love from Texas! ~bonnie

Shelina (formerly known as Shasta) said...

This is going to be a gorgeous quilt. I love the process as well, although for my leaders and enders quilt, I cut as I go along, never quite knowing if the colors will work together.