Friday 16 February 2018

Persistence pays

I don't think I've ever had as many interesting/useful suggestions in response to a blog post as I got to my last one.  Thanks to everyone who took the time to comment; you have definitely moved my thinking on.  It is well within the bounds of possibility that I may throw the kitchen sink at this quilt now, and that in the fullness of time you will see Chinese Coin strips and circle-y blocks alongside my triangles.  

The one thing I did like about that formal-looking string block was the colour balance.  It was the first time I had looked at those fabrics and felt like they were really working for me, so I decided not to give up on my strings, went back and tried again, working  at overriding my newly-discovered tendency to be straight and tidy (and there's a sentence I never thought I would write!)

So, newer string blocks, much more me, I think.


Consequently they work better with my triangles, though you will notice I've replaced some solid pieces with extra strings.

I've got a couple more of these on the go, then I might switch things up a bit.  Wild seems quite appealing right now, if I can make it work.

19 comments:

julieQ said...

Strings are so lovely, and the way you sewed them together makes them even better!

Lisa J. said...

This colour combination is awesome.

Julierose said...

Love your scrappy string blocks--they have a great balance--wild though they be:)))
Hugs, Julierose

patty a. said...

I had to really look hard to see the first blocks you made! The string blocks look so much better. It looks like the triangle blocks are slightly smaller. I would not cut the others to match, but add a strip of fabric to the end of block to make it long enough. A straighter strip may add a bit of a vertical element to contrast with all the diagonal stripes. I am sure you will play with it and come up with a solution.

Yvonne from Quilting Jetgirl said...

I can definitely see how these are more appealing to you. I like the sharp angles and "daggers" I can see in the strings.

9658 Textiles said...

love seeing something new and creative in blogland Kaja! keep throwing paint at it and rejoice!

Cathy said...

How nice to see another Kaja quilt in the works!

Judy said...

I like the wide variety of fabrics and how it's coming together! It looks great.

audrey said...

Oh yes! Persistence does pay! So lovely to see this starting to come together for you!

Quiltdivajulie said...

Oh, this is MUCH more "you" - I like it!!

helenjean@midgetgemquilts said...

the great thing about strings is you can use up the teeniest tiniest pieces imaginable. I can imagine you surrounded by ever growing mountains of scraps now. Every time I am in a charity shop, and I see a "nice" man's shirt you pop into my head

Doris Perlhuhn said...

Yes wild is good!!! And the soft colors take away a bit of the wildness. A sort of moderate wildness and so it is perfect.

Monica said...

Love those extra angles in the strings! I've never seen that, and it's much more interesting. Looking good!

Linda @ kokaquilts said...

The blues & browns in this are so appealing! You've got me curious to see how you plan to 'switch things up a bit' - I'll be back soon!

Soma @ inkTorrents.com said...

I looked through your past posts, and love where you are going with these. I like the strings and the colour palette is wonderful.

-Soma

Mary Marcotte said...

Oh, this is a beautiful combination! I read back several posts and love how you flesh out ideas. You've got a fabulous composition going...don't give up!

Sandy Panagos said...

Wild is good!

JanineMarie said...

I like how you made these string blocks your own, and I really do like them. (And that's really saying something coming from one of those "straight and tidy" quilters.) The palette is so soothing.

Ann said...

Isn't it funny how much difference a few small changes can make? These are lovely with their partial strings and dagger shapes. Good for you, Kaja.