Friday, May 4, 2012

The "Reunion" continues.....and a few ponderings

On Wednesday I shared the first two pillow tops that I completed over the last week for our living room, using Sweetwater Reunion.  These have been so much fun to make.  They're small, so pretty quick, and I've been trying to pick out block designs that I don't normally do.  Well, call me over-eager, but #3 and #4 are finished now too:


This one was completely and totally inspired by Jenelle's Hello Spring! Cushion.  I did not totally follow her pattern, for one thing my pillow is going to be a different finished size than hers, but I just looooved the opposing columns of flying geese and thought it might work pretty well with the Reunion fabrics.  This was the first time I have used the "no waste" method of making flying geese, and thanks to Jenelle's directions and photos it was all very clear and they came together easily. 


This is my first ever dresden plate, and while a little bit finicky it was not nearly as difficult as I thought it would be!  I have Krista's (poppyprint) new Dresden Plate Pillow pattern, and was so eager to give it a try that I couldn't wait to buy a special ruler!  I found this tutorial by Elizabeth Hartman which included a printable template, and just went for it.  The finished size of the plate, and the finished dimensions of my pillow form do not allow for the flying geese borders in Krista's pattern, but I will definitely re-visit that idea in the future.

Now for my ponderings.....do you ever get bored with your projects?  The above blocks were a lot of fun to make and I tried some new things, and I really liked it!  Not that any of them were particularly difficult but sometimes I wonder if I don't challenge my skills enough in my projects.  Generally I love how my projects turn out in the end, but I certainly do not always love the process.  I'm starting to wonder if I just need to challenge myself a bit more.  Now, that said, I do love the whole modern quilting thing and know that the idea of modern quilting to some extent is simplicity....I'm thinking there must be a balance here somewhere.  Modern/simple/challenging - is it possible???

Talk to me!

26 comments:

Alisa said...

I like to have a mix of challenging and simple. Though I tend to go back and forth between quilting and sewing so that is enough variation for me.

And yes, when making a large quilt I do get a big bored (especially with the quilting of it.)

Cassie said...

Yes, I get bored too. I really the prints you chose.

Katie B said...

I love your cushions! These are going to be great.

I do get bored sometimes, but it tends to happen more with complicated projects or projects with a lot of the same blocks. Yes, I'm thinking about my Swoon quilt! I think having to piece all of those HSTs is too tedious for me.

Chelsea said...

I love your cushion tops!

I get bored with my projects all the time,too, which is why so few of them ever get finished! Partly it's the repetitive aspect, but I agree, simplicity can be fairly boring, too. I keep thinking I want to tackle a big, years to finish, rambling applique project, something along the lines of the ones at Material Obsessions. I'd love to do one of their BOM but just can't afford it right now.

Deborah said...

Your dresden is beautiful. I love our use of the Reunion fabric!

Svetlana said...

Heather, I know exactly what you mean. I while back I realized that I need to tackle harder, more time consuming projects. When I started sewing I wanted to start a quilt and have it all finished the same week. Now I get really bored with that kind of quilts. I want modern, but at the same time challenging.

What Comes Next? said...

love your pillows - I picked up Krista's pattern too, but haven't made it just yet. I get bored frequently - hence so many UFOs, so I try to get as involved in as many challenges as I can to keep the interest level up. Unfortunately, the time thing is the biggest bore right now! As much as I might want to talk on a challenging detailed project, I end up doing simpler things, just to get them finished.

Susan said...

Love the cushions! My next one is going to be a Dresden too!
We all need variety in our projects to keep us interested AND learning! I often have hand and machine piecing projects on the go at the same time, with even a hand or machine quilting project or some embroidery waiting too! I also like to plan a long term 'complicated' design in modern colours! That satisfies all aspects of quilting for me!

Jenelle said...

These look great and of course I am really excited to see how the flying geese columns look in another fabric collection and color scheme!

I find that I am always learning new things. Almost every quilting project for me involves a new skill or a new way to approach something. That being said, if I ever went back to just sewing bags (where I actually first started out with sewing) I might get a little bored unless I challenged myself to learn new construction techniques and work with different materials.

In modern quilting there are so many great ways to keep things fresh beyond learning the most complex techniques. You could approach this by tackling a new color scheme outside of your comfort zone, using different substrates together, trying a new FM quilting pattern, and so on. I am doing the Craftsy BOM right now, and I am finding that having a different focus on a new technique each month is really inspiring me to branch out into new territory.

twelfthzodiac said...

I love your geese! I saw Jenelle's pattern & thought it was just gorgeous. You made it up quickly!

Patti said...

Your pillows are looking fabulous, Heather! I saw that Krista had her first pattern for sale, but I'm not a Dresden fan and didn't want to buy a new ruler. I may have to re-think that because it looks fabulous! I think we all get somewhat bored with our projects from time to time. I tend to do long projects so then I have to pause and so something quick and fun!

Lucy | Charm About You said...

Gorgeous!! I love the dresden :)
I get bored too and sometimes there's parts of what I'm doing that I like to get done as quickly as possible!! I think that's why I do little makes in between things. Also I often doubt myself, which leads to procrastination! My 'word' for the year is challenge so I'm hoping to keep learning and get better at all elements of quilting :)

Kris from Duke Says Sew What said...

Love the blocks here! Yes, I do get bored which is why I have way too many WIPS! I am constantly starting something new. Working on that... If I can't finish a quilt it needs to become something else rather than "sit". My MIL has boxes of quilt tops from various decades and I know some won't ever be finished because the colors aren't fresh anymore. Isn't that ashame?!

Go-Go Kim said...

Beautiful pillows and I like to mix it up. Sometimes, for me, the most simple things completely trip me up :o)

Leslie said...

these are such gorgeous blocks

CityHouseStudio said...

Heather, these are gorgeous!
I get bored with projects very easily - I think this is why I tend to have so many projects going at once. And I do think a more challenging project is less boring - right now I'm working on Retro Flowers, and don't seem to find this one boring at all. One simpler pattern quilt that I started last week has got me so bored that I'm going to stop at a baby sized quilt - and use a few extra blocks on the back, in a simpler, modern design - and I think I'm going to like the back better than the front!

Debbie said...

Love the opposing geese! And YES I get bored! Seems like the bigger the project, the quicker I get bored. I usually have alot of things going at once, so I can switch in and out if needed to keep the momentum going.

Kristen said...

Love the sampler. Totally! There is always a love hate thing, but I have so many I bop back and forth. I have to really love the fabric too. That's why I wait forever to buy stuff and not be impulsive. I usually have to push myself in the end and it gets done.

Kristen said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Sara said...

I feel that too sometimes,but then I know when I look at the finished project it makes me smile. I like to add in a paper piecing project sometimes to challenge my self. There is a bit of repetition going on though always with quilting of course. Cutting,sewing,piecing,sandwiching,quilting and binding. If you are doing these thing over and over then you must enjoy it!

Just my thoughts.

Toni said...

You are going to have the best dressed couch in the neighborhood, Heather!

ShirleyC said...

I love that pattern, but I agree. Some projects do get boring before the final finish.

Anonymous said...

Your cushions are beautiful. I particularly like the one made from flying geese.

Heidi Staples said...

Beautiful, Heather! I do love that fabric line! I think that's why I probably do more mini quilts than large ones...doing the same block over and over gets a little tedious after a while.

Leanne said...

I love the pillows! I don't get bored, at least not yet. I do sometimes get stalled and put something aside but I still am keen on pretty much everything I am working on. I am pretty sure if a project did not interest me I would toss it aside and recover the fabric, there are so many fun things still on my list to start.

Beth in NEPA said...

Your pillows are beautiful.
I just finished a couple of projects that offered challenges because I was doing things I had never done before. I felt so good when the projects were completed. I recently bought a new sewing machine and it has so many stitches and the ability to do so many things I am sure it will continue to present me with challenges as I learn to use it to the fullest.