There's been little time for sewing in the last couple of weeks. Most of my time is spent in the garden or in the kitchen, but my mind is always thinking of quilting. In between the batches of preserving food I've played with an idea or two in the Studio.
Drafting the dresden block was a little easier on paper than it was in EQ7. After drafting it I needed to make a template. As you know I often make my own Acrylic templates, but if I can use one that I already have that's even better.
So I pulled out every template in my stash and this one is the only one that fit in the wedge shape. Glow line tape was added for easy placement onto the fabric.
My test block was a success! Well...one fabric placement booboo but it can stay in the quilt. It sticks out like a sore thumb to me, can you see it?
Now the playing begins. This is my favorite part of the designing process. I always have a general idea, but there's always room for improvement and improvising. The circle and petal pieces were left overs from the my last little quilt that you can find here. Not so sure that the red one is going to make it into this project but it's doing a good job of being useful as a visual aid.
I love the octagon shape that's made when the dresden tips are put together. It wasn't part of the plan but I could play around with it a little bit more later on.
For now the playtime is over and it's time to get busy doing the so called "important stuff".
So do you design your own quilts? Do you play with the design after cutting a few test pieces? What's your designing process?
~ Lea Anne ~
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Lea Anne, you are creating another gorgeous quilt here. I don't often design my own quilts, but I will switch other patterns up a bit to change them and make them more my own. You are an inspiration!
ReplyDeleteLove this! I've been ill and in and out of the hospital for the last eight months and this is the first quilt I've seen that that makes me want to raid the stash and get busy sewing. It's so delicate and different. Are you going to do a pattern? If you are please let me know because I really want to make one.
ReplyDeleteLove this. The one quilt I designed is still blocks-only, sitting in my closet. I barely knew how to piece a quilt, much less design one. Someday I'll pull it out and redo the blocks or figure out a way to use them. Nothing has yet inspired me to design my own - there are so many patterns on my "must-make" list.
ReplyDeleteI was only able to spot your "booboo" by very careful examination and thought - it's not noticeable at all!
GORGEOUS!!!!
ReplyDeleteGORGEOUS!!!!
ReplyDeleteAs always your blocks show so much whimsy in the choice of pattern and color....love them all !
ReplyDeleteAnd no I do not see the problem with any color/fabric choice in the test block...which one sticks you in the eye?
Love to see how you design your quilt. I never designed a quilt by myself. Only mini's or placemats. But when I see you busy with the dresden plate, I think I must give it a try.
ReplyDeleteThat is a lovely design! Would not have noticed the fabric boo-boo had you not said something. I'd leave it too - it adds character!
ReplyDeleteDidn't notice the boo boo either until you challenged me to look. It easily could be a design option. I love your design, and love that you draft your own templates, too.
ReplyDeleteI love this block! I have not designed any of my own quilts but do put my own twist on any projects I am doing.
ReplyDeleteYou make me feel dumb....
ReplyDeleteLots of "wow" factor with those blocks. I've designed a few of my own quilts, nothing as elaborate as yours. Usually I start in EQ and play around with the blocks and color layouts digitally. Once I like that, I'll pull fabric and start cutting. Then I'll tweak as I go if needed. It usually takes me a few months to work out a final design, it depends on how much time I have to think about it.
ReplyDeleteLea Anne, this quilt is going to be beautiful! Your fabric choices add so much personality and pizzazz to the design. You have totally inspired me to take that step and try to design my own block. If you would not have mentioned the mistake, I would never have noticed. Actually, I had to look one by one and only then did I see it. Thank you for sharing. I hope that you have another wonderful creative day!
ReplyDeleteLove your variation on the Dresden Plate! I hope you'll share the template, please!
ReplyDeleteYou are so talented! That Dresden can be made with a kaleidoscope ruler, which we carry in my shop. I might grab one today. The red circle on its own in the octagon shape turns the octagon into a flower the the two diamonds next to it look like the petals. So cute!
ReplyDeleteyou look like a teenager in your photo. How do you stay so productive??! Amazing. I just love what you're doing, and am enthralled by the idea that you make your own templates. I like the first example, with the flower plus leaves between the blocks. Connects them with color but not too busy in pattern. I looked and don't see an error either. so there.
ReplyDeleteLeeAnna at not afraid of color
It is brilliant! Will you be selling or sharing this pattern?
ReplyDeleteLea Anne, I didn't see any mistake until you challenged us to find it - it took a while, but as you said one can hardly tell. Love the design you have come up with and so precious in those fabrics. I've designed a couple, but have no process for it yet. I take a block I like and find another that together make an interesting design.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't have noticed the boo boo at all until you compelled me to look. :) Another beauty coming from Podunk. You should look into writing a book. Seriously.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful fabrics and wow you design too? I love it!
ReplyDeleteyou have shown how to take the dresden plate further, looks great not sure about the error but did wonder if it ins one of the pink/green plates.
ReplyDeleteNo I am hopeless at designing my own quilts, so I leave that to the people who have a natural talent for it. I think this onw will be very pretty, I look forward to seeing the process.
ReplyDelete