Monday 10 July 2017

A bit ho hum

Sometimes things just don't go quite as easily as you would like. 

I spent an hour this morning pulling everything that might conceivably go with my bundle of shirts out of the boxes and spreading the results out on the lawn.  Leaving aside the fact that it promptly decided to rain, I have been left feeling slightly underwhelmed by what I found.  The whole lot looks like this (except that the colours in this first photo seem a bit washed out compared to real life).


Some of these clearly go, others are more of a stretch.  The two florals in the top left corner I put there because I was trying to find something to balance all the plains and stripes, but I'm not convinced by either of them.

Put together in smaller groupings, they work a bit better.




Obviously pictures like this don't deal with proportion (so that very bright blue in the last photo would be used in tiny bits, not blooming great chunks, for example).

Nothing for it but to  make a start and see how it goes.  Some things will end up in the quilt, others are headed back to their boxes, but honestly, right now, I have only the faintest of ideas which ones are going where.

13 comments:

Paulette said...

I keep scrolling back to the first smaller grouping. Something very restful about that one. I do light the brighter fabrics too, and I'm sure your process of creating and editing as you go will work its magic. Always fun to watch the progress of your quilts.

Paulette said...

*like* not *light*...I need to better edit myself, lol.

Yvonne from Quilting Jetgirl said...

The small bits of teal you will add are going to add nice depth, I think. I'm curious if you are going to limit yourself with the shapes you make and/or what piecing approach you will start with.

Mego said...

Throwing my $.02 in...I kind of like the multi floral thrown in...it adds a little 'punch'.

Deborah said...

I agree with adding a bit of punch. Now the fabrics are really close in value. So adding bale contract will add some contrast. My quilt teacher taught me to take a picture and change it to monotone to see the value! Your projects have encouraged me to claim my husbands work shirts he is retiring soon!! Thank you!!

Monica said...

I agree that it still needs a spark, and I also agree that those two florals in the first photo are not it. Maybe something almost black would make the other fabrics pop more. And maybe a very sparing amount of light yellow for some highlights?

patty a. said...

I like group one and two the best. The purple print adds a bit of sparkle. I like the fabric with the small green squares.

Quiltdivajulie said...

I like the mix in the third photo - I think that is where I would start. You will figure it out as you go and the project will tell you what it needs as things progress. "Nothing for it but to make a start" -- those are some very wise words.

Mystic Quilter said...

I like the mix in two and three. As Julie says, you can add as you go along.

Ann said...

I think even the bright florals will work with this. Like your blue, they just need to be added with a dropper rather than a ladle. Another beauty in the making. How fun to see what you pulled for the start.

Anonymous said...

The fabrics you have fascinate me. When I finish my Ravioli Quilt I'm planning to go find different fabrics than I've ever used before. I wish our Salvation Army was more affordable, but who knows what will be affordable when my quilt is done. lol.

I love watching your process. (You must be tired of reading me saying that.)

Hunter

Lisa J. said...

Reading everyone's comments is so interesting to me because there are so many different opinions. As for me, I like the last picture the best. Could be because i like blue, but I also because the blues and the liac added in seems to bring a life to the fabrics mix.

liniecat said...

I love the process you go through so whatever you choose I know will be a cracker lol