Friday 22 March 2019

The questions you ask yourself

I have been surprised by enticing I have found these blocks.  I think it's the sense of unpredictability; try as I might I can't look at a strip set and imagine how it will look when it's cut up and reassembled, so each time I do it it's almost like magic.  

I have been aware, somewhere at the back of my mind, that they are very tidy blocks (for me) and that usually I would look at all these straight lines and feel slightly uneasy, want to tweak things or mess around.  That I have kept going without fiddling is definitely due to that sense of wonder I get from making these (maybe I'm easily pleased, but it's a fine feeling).
I am also influenced by the fact that I will be selling my house shortly and expect not to have a good sewing space for a while.  Not sewing at all feels like a bad option, so I am thinking that working in a more block-based way may be a temporary answer.  This piece might be seen, then, as an experiment in that direction.  

However, Soma commented, quite fairly, on this uncharacteristic neatness and now she has me wondering.  Here are my questions: am I happy to keep these going, with just little changes in the individual blocks to keep me happy; should I try the same block but deliberately be less neat; might I leave these as they are but add something in? Pros and cons and no answers here at the moment.

19 comments:

patty a. said...

Every quilt you make doesn't have to be totally improv. The variation you have in the strip sets shows and makes each block just funky enough with not all the pieces matching up perfectly. I think what you have going on is interesting. Not knowing how the blocks are going to look once you cut up the strip sets is a interesting surprise although I would probably take a picture of each strip set and see how the blocks comes out. Once you have done a number of them I would compare the results and might be able to figure out what the resulting block might look like.

Moving is such a lot of work. I can see how this quilt project would lend itself to be worked on when you have a few minutes and no a lot of space. I bet you will end up so busy with the move you won't have much time to sew.

Yvonne from Quilting Jetgirl said...

I like that the blocks are bringing you joy and making you happy. That is something special in and of itself. I hope that the home selling process goes smoothly.

Wendy Caton Reed said...

So little of my life is "tidy" that I think I like my quilts that way. I think these blocks are superb and if they make you happy, all the better!

Robin said...

The sewing seems to calm you down a little as you contemplate the move. All I know is that when it's time to create, it doesn't matter how much space you have or how much time. It always is a wonderful thing.

The summer of 2004 both of my daughters got married withing a 6 week period. I made both wedding dresses, bridesmaid dresses, tablecloths, and on and on. But, I also managed to piece a quilt during all that. It was my stress reliever. I called it the "Between Brides" quilt.

Kim said...

I rather love these blocks just the way they are. Tidy is a wonderful thing, sometimes. =) In saying that though, if you do wander off the tidy path, I am certain what you discover along the way will be perfect. I always love reading how your quilting mind thinks.

Linda @ kokaquilts said...

Love your blocks, just like they are! All mix and don't match!

Janie said...

Selling your house soon? Yes you will be distracted.
Having a project to carry you through is a good idea.
Staying flexible is the thing. And it's not always easy but it can open up new creativity.
I think your blocks are exciting with lots of possibilities.

Lynette said...

Good luck with the house selling. These blocks are fun. I vote on not even thinking about neatness or no neatness - just keep doing what floats your boat as it's happening, and what comes out in the end will be lovely and fun!

audrey said...

I like to try a more precise approach once in awhile myself, though honestly, I'm not very good at it! These blocks are wonderful! I have looked and looked at these in the U&U book. They are definitely on my list, especially now that I've seen yours!

Kathleen said...

Each block is tidy in itself, but you are getting a secondary block when you put four together, which is somewhat untidy. If that is still too structured for you, you can always throw them all up in the air and put four quadrants together that don't match! Whatever you do, it will turn out great.

Anonymous said...

Each block is tidy in itself, but you are getting a secondary block when you put four together, which is somewhat untidy. If that is still too structured for you, you can always throw them all up in the air and put four quadrants together that don't match! Whatever you do, it will turn out great.
Kaja - this is from Kathleen - with the Happy Apple avatar above. That initial comment bounced back to me so I know you aren't getting notice of that one. A new problem I'm having.
kakingsbury at verizon dot net

JanineMarie said...

I like the unplannedness of the secondary pattern where the blocks come together, and that in itself makes me think of your usual vibe. Keep going wherever it leads you. And, happy house selling!

Doris Perlhuhn said...

Tidy or not, there is space for every variation I think. We intuitively often do the right thing at a certain moment and then start to ponder. Creating isn´t a brain thing at the first step. You only have to follow your intuition. You are so good at that. And I can see that it is fun.

Quayquilter said...

I think the unusual fabrics and the unlikely combinations are improv. enough! Very inspiring - the transformational magic of patchwork!

Ann said...

You won’t know until you try. I will point out that these are more multi-colored than you usually use and that is a difference, too.
Good luck with the home sale. Are you moving to a smaller house or further away? {If you want to share that info.} I’ve sold two homes lately for estates. At least I wasn’t actively living there. You’re right. You won’t get much else done when you’re keeping the house “photo ready” at all times. Sigh.

O'Quilts said...

just sew...that is all it takes...It is improv to try something new for you.xo

Soma @ inkTorrents.com said...

I would say just follow your intuition :) House selling is stressful, wishing you a smooth move.

-Soma

SuzK said...

Hi Kaya, I also love to buy blouses at the thrift store and make quilts. Last fall we sold our cottage and packed all our things including my studio. I expected at least a 2 month hiatus from machine sewing so I made a challenge for myself: Obtain 2 fat quarters of complementary colors and creat a mini quilt by hand, Amish influenced, finished. We ended up staying at my son's home on hiatus from Nov to mid Feb. I have 1 almost finished mini in blue and orange with a 2nd hand sewn patchwork designed from more shirts I came across at the thrift place. Sewing by hand helped those long winter weeks to go by, trying not to be impatient ;D

SuzK said...

Also, playing with the kaleidoscope effects of piecing plaids is addicting!