My Ever Evolving Comfort Zone
A few weeks ago Yvonne from Quilting Jetgirl requested some quilt blocks for 2 very deserving kids. I was happy to oblige and this weekend I set to work.
This first one is yet another paper-pieced block. I've been making a lot of these lately, but I'm happy to say that things finally clicked in my brain. Not only am I no longer intimidated by paper piecing, I now consider it to be within my comfort zone. Who knew, right?
This next one proved to be more than I bargained for. I had a few leftover 60-degree triangles from my Triangles on Parade quilt so I figured it would be easy to use one for a sailboat. If only it were that simple.
I'd wanted something to break up the triangle center, something to resemble a mast. The easy thing would have been to appliqué it on, but I just wasn't feeling it. This block may look like it's paper-pieced but it's completely free-formed and improvised, a technique that I'm definitely not comfortable with. There was a lot of trial and error involved, enough that I almost ran out of my background fabric which is why there are some extra seams. If I were to make another one, I'd probably look for a pattern, but I'm still happy that I stretched a bit outside of my comfort zone for an afternoon.
This first one is yet another paper-pieced block. I've been making a lot of these lately, but I'm happy to say that things finally clicked in my brain. Not only am I no longer intimidated by paper piecing, I now consider it to be within my comfort zone. Who knew, right?
This next one proved to be more than I bargained for. I had a few leftover 60-degree triangles from my Triangles on Parade quilt so I figured it would be easy to use one for a sailboat. If only it were that simple.
I'd wanted something to break up the triangle center, something to resemble a mast. The easy thing would have been to appliqué it on, but I just wasn't feeling it. This block may look like it's paper-pieced but it's completely free-formed and improvised, a technique that I'm definitely not comfortable with. There was a lot of trial and error involved, enough that I almost ran out of my background fabric which is why there are some extra seams. If I were to make another one, I'd probably look for a pattern, but I'm still happy that I stretched a bit outside of my comfort zone for an afternoon.
Both blocks look great, and I am so impressed with your improv boat block! Thank you so much for generously sharing your time and talents; I really appreciate it.
ReplyDeleteNice! I really dig the sailboat block exactly how it is. Such a beautiful thing to pool talents and ideas for big projects. Makes me a little misty eyed just thinking about it. :)
ReplyDeleteWhenever I hear sailboat block, I can't help but think of Daisy's - http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/quilting/other/sails/110840 I love that one too. :)
They look wonderful! Well done~
ReplyDeleteThe boat and notes are brilliant. You look like an old pro at paper piecing and improv, except the improv block looks far too chic to be the product of winging it.
ReplyDeleteBoth blocks are absolutely lovely. I really like the sailboat design; the asymmetry of the sails is spot on!
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing what a little practice can do to our comfort zones! Congrats on two beautiful blocks.
ReplyDeleteI saw your blocks on her blog today, and I'm so glad I found your blog through NTT to see them up close. Both are wonderful, and I really like the way you put together the sailboat!
ReplyDeleteOh, your sailboat was one of the blocks that caught my eye on Quilting Jetgirl! I would have thought paper piecing for sure - it turned out so well, so precise for winging it!
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