My quilt book study group chose a book of unusual log cabins, the title of which I have blocked as I didn't buy it. I wasn't going to join in until I saw one of the friends making an uneven log cabin with a special ruler...
My plan was to make one of those swirly ones on the pattern to the right but in reds and greens.
Then I made one block. By "making one block" I mean sew, rip, scratch head, call friend for explanation, rinse and repeat. Several times. Nearly bite the ruler in frustration.
Consider throwing it away, except I'm, too cheap. And doggone if I'm gonna let some ole pattern get the best of me!
So, I looked at google images for curvy log cabin ideas and saw the two on the left. Now I can't find them to attribute but they are drunkard path quilts anyway. (I was just told the designer is found here springleafstudios)
If I did the bottom one I needed 16 blocks, the swirly one needed 32. Winner winner chicken dinner!
The whole experience reminded me why I make improv style quilts, and my own patterns.
Still, learning is good. Slowly it built up over two days.
Here it is in progress. Measure, sew, press, trim, sit and sew, stand and press, trim, sit... you get it.
As Lynn said, Quilting can be aerobic exercise!
So look at the top picture now, it's done with a red and white dot around the outside.
I'm a bit stuck on borders as usual.
This is where a lot of my projects find their way into UFO-ville.
By the way the whole caboodle came right out of little scraps, 2" wide and less. I love the mix of tone you get even in white/cream/tan/gold.
So now I will show you some border possibilities.
Keep in mind this was to be quick and fun for this year not my magnum opus.
Also keep in mind I plan round quilting motifs with hand embroidery in the center with golden thread. Or tiny yo-yo's.
I kind of like the first view, just the dots. Kind of mod.
I am trying to use one of the numerous Christmas fabrics I have on hand.
I am trying not to talk myself into some kind of elaborate pieced/appliqued border that requires sketching out and long hours of work.
I want it to stay graphic, but kind of like the sweetness of the poinsettia fabric.
The thing is, I tried something new. I used it in an unusual way. Uneven log cabin blocks are a lot like drunkard paths. There's just no limit to the fun of quilt making!
Can't wait to get busy with quilting and embroidery.
And beads.
Oh, and funny enough, I can't close the scrap bins after using up ALL That FABRIC!
38 comments:
Scraps multiply in the dark, don't you know? I vote for poinsettias with a green flange.
It's gorgeous
You can't close it because you fluffed them all up, LOL Your poinsettia is looking great, way to preservere!! Borders, I think a thin solid green next to the polka dot and then the poinsettia print for a larger border.
I like the green border with the red hearts. I think the poinsettia border is distracting from your beautiful piecing. Whatever you choose, it's a great little quilt.
I like number 2, the darker profile. It seems to point to the center flower and let it have the attention. I did a piece a few years ago. Three inch tiny log cabins that were paperpieced. It was a flavin glover cityscape, l nearly went insane! But I love it!
This looks great. I like it as is or the dark green border. It looks like we all have different opinions! One of these days I'll try an uneven log cabin. They look so cool.
This is lovely. I like the last photo with the green frame and poinsettia border. Log cabins do have tons of pieces, but this was totally worth it.
I actually like it without an extra border. It already looks great. My second choice would be the green border with hearts. Good luck with choosing ....
It's looking great, I too love the variation of color provided by the scraps. The poinsettia fabric is sweet in its own right, but it's too realistic for your funky flower (I mean it in a good way, just to describe the character). The green fabric has hearts that are also funky, so they rhyme much better with the flower. Besides, the dark frame makes the center come forward, so I definitely vote for the green.
so true Lena! You need to consider not only color and tone/shade but also the mood of the piece. Good points! Let me go right back in there and look for funky mod style borders in possibly a lighter green.
Or the heart fabric in a slimmer border cut.
LeeAnna
Very nice! You are so creative. I like it as is with the dotted border. Use the Poinsettia fabric for the backing.
I liked the look of the green as a narrow inner border and then the larger scale poinsettia print as a wide outer border. I see the comment Lena made though, and if you can pull it off that might be the way to go after all. Gold beads in the center of your flower for sure!
Love the dots! But cast my vote for #3 green trim. So festive. 🌲
Remember K.I.S.S.? The dots are just right I think. The pointsettia S on four sides would be overpowering. If you must add something to make it more complex, the green is better. You did a fine job with a very frustrating ruler, so just take it easy sit back and have a hot chocolate.
I love that poinsettia fabric but I don't think you need a big border-I'm with you on loving the dots. Could you add a skinny (3/4") border of green (not the green hearts) and then bind it with the poinsettia fabric?
BTW- I love the piecing, what a great Christmas quilt without being super obvious!
I don’t think you could go wrong with any of your choices, so I will not weigh in. Besides, it depends on what you want to focus on, how large you want it to be, where you will place it, etc. Just go with your gut! The poinsettia is beautiful, BTW, and I bet several of us “borrow” the idea, LOL!! xo
What a neat use of log cabin designs; it really is spectacular. Any of the fabrics would work but I like the way the green gives it a frame and lets the pointsetta shine in all its beauty.
Such a whimsical quilt which makes me side with those fun dots and possibly the dark green border. It brings out the center so well. Great job!
I pick #3, but make the green/hearts border narrowly than what you show, then maybe a red binding. I love poinsettias, but here they are just too busy.
Hi LeeAnna,
Not one of the choices, but a lime green border!
Picking that up in the quilt!
go for the "3 green border with hearts, different from the inner border on #1"
I think the poinsettia fabric is really sweet. The green seems a bit dark. Maybe a lighter green for the binding? Doesn't have to be christmasy. You could use the green on the back if you are anxious to use it up.
I like the green border to frame it because it really makes the center pop. But the last pic works too, for the same reason.
Though it's your quilt, so it only matters what feels right to you!
I think playing in the scrap bins is like beating eggs or whipping cream! You're adding air and it fluffs everything up! Lol! I LOVE your poinsettia quilt! It's so amazing what log cabin blocks can do in different settings. It looks like people are giving you lots of good advice for your borders - I'll just look forward to seeing how it turns out!
I think each of these could be argued for and it looks like whatever you do will please some people, so do what you like best.
It's always frustrating and fun when trying something new!! I love your poinsettia. The log cabin style is perfect for it. I don't have any advice for the border. I lean towards something in red with a skinny green border! You'll get it and congrats on pushing yourself!
I vote the first of the 3 border choices! Glad you soldiered thru and made it - now you get to embellish- you've earned it, girlfriend 👍
That is a really neat way to make a poinsettia block LeeAnna. You probably already decided. All the border options are great. The most modern is the first with just the dots but I also love the second option too.
I like it with the green border as it sets off the poinsettia the best. As for the google images . . . the bottom image is my block from the QAL I did last year. You can find it here. http://www.springleafstudios.com/p/drunkards-path-quilt-along.html
Ah, success. Isn't it great to have that poinsettia finished! I can't decide if I like the top or bottom picture best.
pointsetta fabric with a thin green inner border...that's what I'd do. How beautiful!
The first is the option that I like the best! What a fun way to use curved log cabins! I have a bunch of them as part of a block swap and setting them in a flower path would be a great idea! Thanks for the inspiration!!
Wow, you make a new Christmas quilt every year? I started a Christmas quilt several years ago and it is still not finished... I think I know what you mean about being tempted to overcomplicate EVERY SINGLE PROJECT. Everything that I start out thinking will be "quick and easy" ends up turning into a much bigger deal than expected.
I like the final picture the best, where you have the wide outer border in the poinsettia fabric and the narrow green heart print in between. But I'm sure whatever you choose will be gorgeous.
Wow this is stunning!
I think the dark green OR the first one...some of the others seem busy and take away from the center.
I would make the borders look like a giant logcabin block
with the poinsettia square as the hearth center, that way you can make a large as you want...nancy
I vote for #3 green borders with hearts. Beautiful pattern.
I like it with the green border. I really like the pattern. Would lover to learn how you did this.
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