I mentioned last week that I was working on a new block design. This is that block. I am both sad and pleased to announce that I will probably never make another one. I like the way it turned out - it definitely looks best if you stand back and squint your eyes - but it was TOO much work to make. (I guess I'm an impatient quilter.) And I could never quite get the measurements right (hence don't look to close.)
I made myself finish it (despite my frustrations) thinking I could make it into a pillow or mini quilt. Then as I was taking the picture, I realized it might make a great medallion quilt center - then I could keep building the quilt with the fabric I pulled. I'm liking that I idea. But it's heading to the WIP (Works in Progress) pile for now. Maybe it will live on my design wall for a time... So there's that.
Speaking of WIP's this is my first WIP I pulled out to work on (in keeping with my goal to finish 4 before I start something new. This is the Scrappy Trip Around the World quilt I started two years ago, back when there was a #scrappytripalong craze going on. (Directions here.) But I'm not in love with it. (Hence the dragging my feet.) Still, I'm determined to finish it.
I'm still going for the old, eclectic, scrappy quilt you'd find in your grandparents Air Stream camper (minus the weird smells and polyester), but it's not funky enough. I tried adding more mustard and different shades of green and a little turquoise. I think it needs more.
I've been throwing random fabrics on the floor. I think I just need to go for ugly at this point and then I might start to love it. We'll see how it turns out. Because it will get done, whether I'm in love or not. I've invested too many valuable scraps in this one. (You know what I mean?!) Now I just want the time to sit and work on it...
carolg
Love the cats in the corner of the block. 🙂 Amy, when do you say "no I'm not going to finish this?" I have quite a few UFO's, one that I was making for my toddler daughter's room. She's a doctor. Really. I recently let go of ALL unfinished yarn projects knowing that just wasn't my forte. But the quilt projects- they're so hard to let go.....
Patchwork Reflections
It will make you feel sooo good to finish it! Even if you just give it away. LOVE this - "I think I just need to go for ugly at this point" JustDoIt!
gram k
Love the difficult block....it definitely needs a home as something...
The Calico Cat
Cats in teh corner of the block - I missed those even on a closer inspection.<br /><br />With all of that Katie Jump Rope, it would definitely be on my "must finish" pile too.<br /><br />Maybe add some purple & orange? a couple black & white prints?<br />
Podunk Pretties
I love them both! I think once you get the Scrappy Trip done you'll love it too!
Preeti Harris
Oh, I am such an impatient quilter. If it is not fast and fabulous, I am not going that direction!!! Looking forward to the trip around the world though...
Melissa Corry
You should have us make it for your bee month. It is such a cute block and would look awesome all done up. I can see how you have the repeats set for the corners. So fun!!
CherylB
I think to much red.......but what do I know I'm only on my 2nd quilt ever!!! AND I'M dragging MY feet cause I don't LOVE the fabric choice all the way?! HELP someone...advice please...do I add a 'Zinger' fabric?!
craftygramma
Oh dear, poor Amy - I like the difficult block and thought as you do, it would work in a medallion quilt. Great minds? Anyway, I l o v e your scrappy trip. So much. Should you have need of a babysitter/tutor (I am qualified), dishwasher, laundress, personal assistant, etc...in exchange for this beauty, please consider me!!??<br />Please finish it regardless, someone will/does love it.
Kathelle - Strandom
"I think I just need to go for ugly at this point and then I might start to love it." That made me laugh! It'd be good to get it all done, then it won't annoy you anymore... I absolutely love the new block - it would look amazing as a quilt, but it does look a right fiddle 🙂 x
Sharrieboberry
My Grandmother's quilts had orange and brown in them. Maybe those will add to the mix. 🙂
Terri Ann
I hear you on impatient quilter, for a while if I couldn't chain piece all the blocks quickly it wasn't a quilt for me. I'm trying different things lately and am loving the idea of more complex blocks and especially designing complex blocks. When I've gotten mad at a project I tuck it away in a box somewhere out of sight then bring it back weeks later to see if there's new
Laura
That's a beautiful block, but I can see how it might make you impatient! I wonder if you could turn the one block into a small wall hanging or a pillow perhaps? Or eventhe side of a bag?
Unknown
I love scrappy quilts and your trip will be great.... if it is not funky enough.... why not make the funky part in the border?
Karen
Both projects are beautiful! I love your idea of using the new block as the center of a medallion quilt. A medallion quilt is on my list of quilty goals this year. I agree that some black and some brown may be a great addition to the scrappy trip around the world. Keep us all in the loop on your progress!
Brooke
I like your block A LOT! I love your idea for using it as a medallion. I actually think it would look great in a lower right hand corner of a baby quilt.....the start of a very modern, offset design. Just an idea! :-)<br /><br />I too have a scrappy trip in my WIP stack. I'm having the same issue you are having with yours....I'm not in love with it. However, I promised it to my
Becki
I fell into that scrappy trip around the world hole a couple of years ago. I LOVE my quilt. I didn't plan anything--it's all scraps of every color, print, etc. Throw some OLD scraps into it and you will grow to love it. It's my favorite nap quilt!!! Love your blog!
lindseykelly
Just wondering if you ever say this scrappy trip one from Blue Elephant Stitches. I didn't really think I wanted to make one until I saw her layout (all of the blocks go in the same direction instead of making big squares, which makes no sense until you see it). Maybe if you try a new layout you will love it. https://blueelephantstitches.blogspot.com/2014/06/florence-baby-quilt.html
amy smart
Yes! So funny - I started playing with my blocks yesterday and put it in this layout and I LOVED it! Made a big difference. Great to see a visual!
sue godfrey
Go for it. I finished a quilt, made during classes with a very impatient teacher! The quilt has been well used and loved by my sister, which made the pain of doing it worthwhile. Good luck.
New Salem Homestead
Might I suggest simplifying the block? I would substitute a solid background for all those chain blocks which in my opinion make for a cleaner crisper look. The the trip quilt! I have one on my someday list....
Martha Cook
Feel your pain. That is a lot of work.,I have a quilt with small,pieces sitting in a container. I avoid those projects if I can. Sad but true.
Karen
Whoa! There are more seams in that block than in the September Aurifil block - and I felt like I'd made an entire quilt after that one. I think your idea of it being a center medallion is perfect. <br />I started quilting after the Scrappy Trip Around the World craze but have just recently been checking it out. (Is this when the "scrap vomit" term started?) I think yours
Lisa in Port Hope
Maybe some brown would cause the brighter colors to pop. I think the appeal of the scrappy trip is that everything goes!
Sharon @ www.CraftsnCoffee.com
No advice for you -- I think the scrappy quilt is beautiful, and whatever fabrics you add will only make it even prettier. Really. And what a good feeling when it's finished. The new quilt block you've designed is really fabulous but yeah, I can see where it wouldn't be fun. And it has to be fun, right?
Buffy Skolnick
What I love most about your post is your honesty about the imperfection of the block and your impatience as a quilter. Sometimes I feel so impatient doing even a slightly complicated block that it is enough to put me off from it all together. And I applaud your imperfection (don't look too close!). Sometimes I feel with all the full time quilters and bloggers who do such beautiful work and
stamperwithdayjob
I love your new block, but the minute I saw it, I too thought - YIKES, that's a lot of little pieces for a block. And I have to say that when you said hence don't look too close, I had to go back and look at it because it looked great to me. Love your scrappy quilt, and like everyone else said, just go with it and have fun. I recently found a very scrappy quilt top I made around 2002 when
Sue W
I love your Scrappy trip! I thought maybe some Cheddar orange and brown mixed in for zip. I liked someone else's idea of purple too! <br />It really is lovely Amy!
The Colorful Fabriholic
Love your new block but I can understand your frustration with the fiddly pieces and getting the sizes of some of the patches right. I think your idea of making it the center of a medallion quilt is excellent and I can't wait to see how you grow this center into something wonderful. <br />Good luck with your Scrappy Trips - I think it's looking great. Give it some more 1970's prints
Karen
I love the quilt block you shared, turning it into a medallion quilt is a great idea.
✾Jamie Lee Cooley✾
Oh boy, I hope that's not the block you designed for "I want her stash." I might faint if it is!
amy smart
Haha! That was the original plan - but that got scrapped as soon as I started piecing this one. lol.
Rosemary
This is one goal this year ... actually, my only one since I'm being KIND to myself and not making two pages of a TDTY list (to do this year) ... using scraps and making a scrappy quilt (top, at least) a month. I love your Quilt Around the World and this is one I will work at. Just might take more than the others but I love it. I'm a great-grandmother btw and polyester has never been
Rosemary
Have made two scrappy tops this year and not even a dent in my scraps. /sigh I may have to extend this goal next year!
myBearpaw
Love that block! Great idea to make it a medallion centre. Love your scrappy trip too, and just the way it is!
Quilting Tangent
Pretty block, just ALLOT of pieces.
Skootchover
Your block is wonderful! It would make an excellent pillow.
Katy Cameron
I love your scrappy trip colours just the way they are!
Denise Copeland
You've nailed ugly.
Lisa
The block is really beautiful, maybe with some tweeking it could be easier? The center is really cool! I have my Scrappy Trip blocks and through the help of the flickr group, may just have enough for my king size bed. It is still a craze (just smaller), we had 7 hives this last go round. I admit yours looks way mor organized than mine but I truly love the blocks. Maybe you should join us! 5
Thimbleanna
I love your new block Amy -- sorry it's been so much work -- I'll bet you learned some important design tips in the process though, so all is not lost. And keep plugging away at your scrappy trip -- once it's quilted you'll love it. My mom gave me the ugliest quilt top once and quilting turned it into a swan!!!
Denice
oh my gosh i love that scrappy trip. i think you nailed it! pass it on over here if you never learn to love it.
Amber Johnson
I felt the same way about my scrappy trip, Amy. I did not love it as I was working on it but now that it's finished, I kind of do. Keep going with it and you'll think it's fun and funky in the end. Trust your instincts! It'll be great!
Lisa
The flickr group is taking signups now at https://www.flickr.com/groups/2190169@N20/discuss/72157650637495071/
Ginny
Love your new block but must admit it looks intense with all those pieces! A medallion center is a brillant idea! I actually laughed out loud at your Grandparents Airstream trailer reference -- I could smell it lol! And just go for ugly - You crack me up!
Sheila R
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