Do you have this problem? You finish making blocks for your quilt (or hand quilting or something…) and you get so excited and emotional about that achievement you about cry? Is it just me? Is it hand-piecing/handwork that does that? I can’t be the only one!!! I can’t. You hit a milestone so huge you don’t know what you’ll do with all that time you put in focused on the making process? I have this problem. It’s a good one to have but it’s emotional and challenging.
I guess the milestone is so huge because this one is a surprise. That’s got to be the reason for my emotions. It snuck up on me. I just didn’t have anything I was planning on working on after this. I thought I had a good stack of blocks left to make. Where to from here? There’s the challenge.
You may recall I’ve been making Carpenter’s Wheel blocks since February of 2011 but as of this week I’m calling the building process d.o.n.e.
This block didn’t start out like a piece of cake. It was a bit of work to learn. Once I got it down, I started to get a vision of a quilt with nothing but blocks and it certainly is amazing to see that develop. I liked it but it was awful busy and to be honest, I never was sure this was what I wanted. Maybe a little too much for me?
Well, moving on…
I recently picked up something that gave me a new vision of setting the blocks on-point. I thought “Huh, really? Can I do that?” Well yes as it turns out, I can. I have exactly the amount of blocks finished by chance. Again, this was just a surprise, not a plan. A thought to check into, nothing more. When I realized I can call it ready to set and plan some custom quilting in the setting blocks my heart raced. I brought the blocks and my new idea to quilting on Thursday. I engaged the help of everyone I could and we did a mock-up of this new plan. (imagine this as a 4 x 5 setting)
We played with the idea of neutral setting blocks, pink and cheddar. Pink failed. Neutral is amazing and you know I love cheddar so for now Cheddar wins the day. I’m not making any final decision yet though. I’m emotional about it. Neutral is… well… perfect. Antique. Cheddar is… well… perfect. Warm. Karen. They’re both really Karen! I think it’s down to a personal preference now but again, I’m a little to emotional to decide.
Thursday was so much fun. Playing and getting feedback. I don’t know why I didn’t take pictures of every mock-up!!! 
It’s the sharing that makes it so wonderful.
Here are some stats:
- The blocks are hybrid pieced. Partially machine and mostly hand-pieced using Inklingo.
- I learned to make this block with the help from one of my yes quilting pals.
- Blocks are 12″ finished.
- The quilt would be approx 68 x 85 w/o borders. I imagined something a bit bigger but a straight set of 6 x 7 is approx 72 x 84. Not a huge difference.
- I got the inspiration to make this block from a gal named Jackie Stevens. She had an antique CW quilt that got me going.
So that’s where we’re at. I’m interested in your thoughts regarding both the setting ideas – all over blocks or setting blocks with custom quilting? I’m interesting in your color setting preference? I’m interested in your experience when you reach a milestone. I’m interested in anything you have to share about this process. And, just for the record, we have plenty of time. No hurry. Custom quilting won’t be cheap and I’m broke. Car, Vet and Plumbing has left me cash strapped. We have time.
Thank you so much for letting me drop in, share and ask of you some time to provide me with feedback.
Quilting in the heart beat, *karendianne.
