It seems to be taking an inordinate amount of time to make this quilt, but then when I am done assembling it, it will be finished. No further quilting will be necessary, so that's a good thing. At the point we are at, it measures 61" wide and the panel-s at the top are 15", high and there will be another 15" worth added to the bottom, making it 82" long. BIG.
I am not so much designing this quilt as I am assembling the parts. This is a different feeling than improvisational design. More like 'What's next?' And the self-wonking nature of my quilting is an added bonus, which I am laughingly calling Mel's Bend.
It's not that I don't care, it's that I don't care that much. This is going to end up in the Dawg's room on their twin size bed. (They are still sleeping upstairs with us...darn) The construction of this piece is just so fabulously easy that I can't wait to finish quilting each section and add it to its neighbor. I am making the side and top panels in sections, two or three per panel, with narrow connector strips, which I am also trying to integrate into the whole. Sorta.
Altho I loathe the clunkity clunk of my walking foot, I did dig it out and use it on the longer sections, which allowed me to change directions without puckers.
I think this would be going faster if it were cold outside and not so steamy as it is now.
Would I use this technique on an art quilt for the wall? Probably not, since I think the sizes for the wall are easy to quilt as a whole. But I will do this again, and maybe more carefully, when I am not solely interested in using up scraps and experiencing the process. I get giddy seeing the decreasing size of my batting scrap pile as I incorporate them into this work. The fabric I am using for backing is super-muslin which I bought to dye, but eh, just decided I didn't need anymore dyed muslin. I love this for the back, and will continue to use it on my future quilts.
Here's a picture showing the two narrow connector strips on the right hand side of the quilt. You might have to click on the picture to see it better.
Your Daily Dawgs.
For some reason I keep thinking of Darth Vader when I look at my pups.
Hilarious!! The dawgs not the quilt. The quilt is really vibrant-ove it
ReplyDeleteThank you for my daily cuppa Mel and the dawgs. It always starts my day off with a smile or two.
ReplyDeleteCathy B
I'm loving watching this one progress. Your "take" is always so fun. Do you really think the "boys" will move to the other room when it's finished? I think they'll probably only want to be where mom and dad are so you'll have a beautiful guest room!
ReplyDeleteHalloween is coming up; you can dress the dawgs any way you want. Pug snores sound kinda like Darth Vader, come to think of it. Is Chumley losing weight running around with Chester, or is Chester catching up to Chum?
ReplyDeleteAre the connector strips padded too? They must be or the quilt would be sort of flimsy but I have never made one like this and I wonder.
ReplyDeleteSusaw,
ReplyDeletesee this post
http://fibermania.blogspot.com/2011/07/narrow-connector-strips-rule.html for further explanations.
ok,laughing out loud!! I love your blog...the quilts and artwork are fabulous but I have to confess I have become a 'daily dawg'fan and the Vader pup was just too funny!!!
ReplyDeletethanks melody!!!!!
missy from the bayou
What? No Chewbacca????????
ReplyDeleteI tried the thin connector strip method myself on a small quilt - wasn't completely successful, but I know what I did wrong, and it will work next time. I like the way you incorporate the connector strips into your design.
ReplyDeleteI've always avoided QAYG projects because they look it. You've shown me how they don't have to look it! This will rock my next project. Thank you so much! Chris
What a precious Darth Vader! And I love this new technique, spent quite a bit of time on the Quilting Edge to ferret out the details. Your quilt is looking gorgeous already. :-)
ReplyDeleteNot that the dawgs are not beautiful...but this quilt looks a bit special to be a dog blanket!!
ReplyDelete