Why I Shouldn't do Group Work

See these boxes? I found them in the garage clean out this summer. Know what's in them? Round Robins that are over a decade old. In fact, they are probably closer to 15 years old. I'm pretty sure they are circa the same era as my Y2K quilt as they would have been also started with contacts via the World Wide Quilting Page chat group.

I am the worst ever.

In digging through the boxes I see that I did start on my contribution for one of the quilts. But that strip is as far as I got.  This particular quilt was started by Sandi Irish, a great pattern designer. I seem to recall being so thrilled that I was in a group with her and look how I (nearly) threw it away. I've contacted Sandi to see if she wants her quilt back as is or if I can at least finally do what I was supposed to do in the first place and then send it back to her.

The other quilt belongs to a lady named Linda. But I can't seem to track down an address, Facebook link, or email. Oh no! (If any of you know of someone who went by the name Linda Tiwahe from Minnesota, please let me know.) So much work has gone into this that I hate to let it linger here anymore. It deserves to be a real quilt.

Oy. Don't ever let me be in a group project with you.

Travelling Quilts 2, Latest Round

Despite all my deadlines and personal goals sometimes I feel the need to join a group and play. Of course, I always do it with the caveat that it is pretty much a guarantee I will be late in meeting any deadlines. It is the same with any bee, round robin, or group project. That's why I usually volunteer to be the assembler at the end. Plus, that is one of my favourite parts.

All that being said, I do enjoy the creative process and challenge of working with other people's work. Sometimes it feels like drawing bodies on heads, sometimes it is tremendously difficult. It is a push to add without detracting, to make use of seemingly disparate things. I may not be able to meet group deadlines very well, but I think I can meet this kind of challenge.

I am part of a group, modelled on the Travelling Quilts that you've likely seen out there. Some of us Canadians brought in a few American friends and we're playing. Here are a few of the quilts.

This one started with Jenn, of Pinkbrain Quilts. She made the paper pieced non-star block in the centre. Then Julie added some stellar embroidery, including the pink brain! Then off to Jacqueline. She made up a bunch of linear blocks, but didn't join them to the original.

My initial thought was more circles - shocker. Then I decided to bring in the linear aspect of Jacqueline's blocks. But those angle from the original are so intriguing. So I extended angles and joined them with the fabric and linear aspects of the additional blocks. Not an easy addition, but so much fun and I love the results. I can't wait to see what happens next! Off to Anna and Robyn next.

It's hard to figure out where to go when you start with colour blocked cathedral windows. For me, the temptation was strong to just make more and more. Can you imagine a quilt just like that? These were the beginning of Julie's quilt. Jacqueline made a whole schwack of blocks, many on the large scale like these ones. I took the combination of text inspiration and the cathedral windows and combined them for my blocks.

I used colours already in the blocks as background. The petals are simply appliquéd on. I resisted the temptation to join them into a strip because that would have finished at 72''. That's a big quilt to commit to for the folks coming next. But it would look really nice that way. Hint, hint...

Girlie Quilt

Girlie

38'' by 38''

Just a simple, pretty, girlie quilt.

It started as an improv block, waiting for a home and some inspiration. I sent it off to a guild member for the next go at a round robin. She asked if I wanted to keep it all black and white or if I wanted any specific colour. I gave her free reign, waiting for the surprise at the end. Once everyone else did their thing. Can't say I imagined baby pink!

When it came back to me I decided I couldn't let it linger  - I'm all about finishing these days! I went back and forth on some options and this is where I landed. I basted it and then it sat... One quiet Saturday with no kids in the house it got quilted. A basic stipple in Aurifil 50wt in white took me an hour. So, why did I wait so long?

But now it is done, bound in a sunny yellow for contrast and to coordinate with the backing. It sits packed by the door, ready to send off to a cousin and his adorable baby girl.

Not before my baby girl snuck in for a snuggle and photo op!

Girlie - Next Round

Yesterday I was able to play around with my last round on the Girlie quilt I posted. My original plan was to echo the chopsticks technique of the center block. Here it is.

But it didn't look right to me. Something about that flower applique made this all a bit too traditional in feel and the improv seemed disjointed. I also felt like it needed more pink than anything, not just the white as I'd said.

So I pulled out my pink, black, and white chopsticks blocks. They are now the nice start of another girlie baby quilt.

Then I made these wavy strips. The wave isn't that noticeable from a distance, but it is there, trust me. A small echo of the wavy line of the applique. Now to decide which way to place them. And what I should put in the corners. Any suggestions?

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Girlie

This was a round robin quilt that languished in the cupboard once it came back to me. I made the center square, then it went around to some other ladies in my guild. Once it came home I wasn't sure what to do with it. I loved the addition of pink, but it made it far more girlie than I'm used to.

But now there is a baby girl in my family and this seems like a rather suitable quilt for her.

I'm going to add another round to bring it up to a more functional size. It's only 27.5'' square. I also think it needs a bit more white. to brighten it up even more.  And definitely a little more pink needs to be added, plus a pink backing.

And now? I love the girlie nature of those pink flowers. Perfect for a precious girl.

So Girly

Remember my round robin? I did my rather traditional blocks for my three fellow robins. (Sorry, missing a photo from one.) I started with black and white. This is what came back to me.

It is so ridiculously girly and pretty and fun. So, totally not me. You know what, though? I love it! I never would have put pink with it, or flowers. This is gorgeous and I'm glad I trusted others to do something fun. This entire round robin has been a great experiment in letting go and experimenting. Compassion too, as you have to think about what the recipient might want out of the quilt.

It's up to me now to add another border or two then finish it up for our June meeting. I'm thinking of another round consisting of smaller chopsticks blocks like the center. Maybe.

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The series on quilting with kidlets underfoot will run every Monday in March. I'll be back next week with the first post on managing your space.

Some Hearts

This is about as close as I get to heart related items in my house. We aren't a Valentine's Day kind of house. Hubby has the typical male disdain, and I frankly don't care that much. But wait, these aren't my hearts!

This is the last of the round robin quilt tops from my guild (Hey, check out our new website!). We all got our own tops back on the weekend. I'll share mine soon. But this last one has hearts, so I'll share it with you today.

I added on the Prairie Braid border. I've actually always wanted to try one of these. It is very easy, but time consuming. And you do waste the fabric that you have to trim off. Oh well, it is all about the design. And it came together really well. I think it's a great finish to the top. (And please ignore my supremely ugly kitchen floor.)

Now that the tops are back with their original owners we have a few months to add to it, if we want, and finish the quilts. I can't wait to see how everyone finishes up with their quilts.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Round Robin - Start

Just a simple block. In the next 4 months it should turn into something pretty cool.

You see, I do belong to a traditional guild as well as our Calgary Modern Quilt Guild (Sew Night on this Saturday!). In an effort to push myself outside of my little box of creating, I decided to join this year's round robin. It is really pushing me out of my box as most of these ladies are quite traditional quilters. Amazing work and a very fun group of women, but still quite traditional in quilting style.

This block, mine, will get added to by three others. I gave them free reign on colours and design. Maybe my simplicity and improv block will challenge them too? You know how I love to push people.

I would show you the block I received - lots of triangles in red, beige, and hunter greens - but its in the car. Yup, I'm lazy this morning. First winter storm combined with kids barfing all night and me with a cold. I am not leaving my house today. More time for sewing, painting, and stories.

Oh, and bear with me as I make some changes on the blog. I'm testing some new designs.