Friday, August 23, 2013

A Distraction, A Flimsy, and "Hyper" Activity

It began innocently enough. I left a comment on Karen's blog and she replied. One thing led to another and somewhere along the line she sent me a link to a 6" finished Mariner's Compass block named Sunburst. I wasn't going to make it, but I downloaded the pattern out of curiosity. Before I knew what I was doing I had printed enough foundations to make the block, selected fabrics and actually started the thing.
 It wasn't my top priority, but it was my favorite distraction. I would work on it whenever I only had a few minutes to sew. When I finished it, I decided I didn't want it to be just a little 6" block, so instead of the corner pieces the pattern provides to square it up, I inset it into an 8" square and added some setting triangles. I thought I would bind it with black, but as I stared at it, I started to wonder if that much red was overpowering the whole thing. Then I tried a gold border before the binding.

This seemed a little garish to me, so I kept playing with my options. The idea came to me to actually strip piece the corners with the radiating colors. Why not? I've already paper pieced and appliqued (and not very well, I might add) to get this far. Why not throw in another process I don't love, right?
 This mock-up has me uncertain. Can't decide if it detracts too much from the center design. I guess I need to let this marinate more. Anyone have the perfect solution?

I did get something to flimsy stage that had actually been on my "to do" list. It had also been on my design wall all summer long, which was a nice patriotic touch for the sewing room. All it needed was to have the borders cut to size and sewn on. I really stall when it comes to borders! But finally!! My patriotic version of the Primitive Gatherings Picnic Quilt (aka Independence Day Picnic) is ready for marking, basting and quilting. 

And the adventures in hyper-quilting continue. I made up the bright orange batik and I call this one "Feathers on the Pumpkin." This one may be a little too "hyper." I used three thread colors, instead of two, like my previous experiments. The main feather is stitched in a color that blends so well into the fabric that about all you see are the embellishments.
One more batik is sitting, waiting it's turn to be hyper quilted. It is a deep plum color and I think it will be staying with me. Something I have learned while making these little feather pieces is that hand stitching down binding made of batik, onto a batik, isn't the easiest thing. My fingers are sore after just a little quilt like this.

My summer block swap with Maureen is almost over. I've got my last set of blocks ready to send off to her. When I have received her last set I will unveil the group and share my plans of what they will become. Now I need to get going on my August Simply Charming Every Other Month SAL quilt, Haven't even started!

Until next time,
Janet O.



33 comments:

  1. Wowza!! Love everything!! I like the radiating - but can understand your need to marinate!! LOL Maybe a little outside "our norm"!

    The hyper feathers are Booooooootiful!!! I'm still at the "use the same color thread so your mistakes don't show" stage!

    Of course - love the patriotic quilt - can never have enough rwb quilts around!

    Didn't know you and Maureen and you had a swap!! Can't wait to see the results!! How fun!!

    Blessings sweet friend!

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  2. Love, love and love! All your projects, but especially your gorgeous hyperquilting! Know the feeling about batik binding on a batik quilt - the queen size wedding quilt completed late spring was just that, and it seemed like forever until that last binding stitch went in.

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  3. the sunburst is so fun and good for you for jumping right in and doing it!
    fun!
    Your quilting is amazing and I am totally jealous of your talent!
    Looking forward to seeing what you swapped with Maureen -

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  4. Stop marinating...love that! Do it! It really gives the piece a punch!

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  5. You're so talented! Good for you for just doing the sunburst! What a block! I like the pieced yellow triangle but will they take away the focus from the sunburst when there are 4 of them? Just have to give it a try. What are the plans for this beauty?
    Love the patriotic picnic quilt and your feathered batik is awesome! You just keep getting better and better! Can't wait to see the plum batik all quilted up.
    I just finished up my swap blocks and will get them out tomorrow or Monday. They have been so much fun to stitch.

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  6. Wow, Janet, again amazing feathers...love this so much.
    The Sunburst block is beautiful, I like the strip corner it ties in beautifully with the sunburst.
    Keep feathering Janet, I love seeing them.
    Julia ♥

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  7. Lovely, I have the same idea as you, marinate on it a while! Something will come to you.
    Loving the feather piece! I don't get to play that much on my customers quilts only my own, must make time to play.
    Happy weekend to you.

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  8. Your hyper quilting is really looking awesome. All your practicing is paying off. You're getting very talented. The little sunburst is lovely. It's nice to get distracted.

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  9. You did it! The block looks perfect. I think more points for the corners could be good but then I am not making it and don't get a choice.

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  10. I love that sunburst with the variegated corner! Looks great! Also LOVE that red, white and blue quilt! One of my favorites I've seen in a while!! Thanks for sharing...

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  11. Awesome!! Lots of loveliness for me to drool over. Yes, I like the radiating bands on your compass block, I think they help it to shine but really as it's not my piece I look forward to seeing what YOU like best :-) lovelovelovelovelovelove your hyper feathers, oh you inspire me to play!!! Your patriotic quilt too is gorgeous - love the colours! Happy weekend-ing.

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  12. Oh you GO girl!!!! That mariner's compass is too darn cute! And I know you are proud of it :*) I like the strip-pieced corners, and I just can't decide if it takes away from the compass. When I go back and look at the first picture, the compass looks more bold and vibrant in that one to me. Definitely one to keep marinating on until you are comfortable with one or the other - or until you get that happy "Eureka!" moment and go with something new.

    As always, I LOVE your feathering! You just amaze me!!! Talent, girl... that's pure talent! Yes, you practice at it, but all the practice in the world won't make graceful feathers like those!!! And I understand about hand-work on batiks... I did a hand-needleturn applique piece in all batiks and it was a monster. Turned out absolutely gorgeous, but it was a while before I could look at it with fondness LOL!!!

    I'm also really good at stalling around borders time. I hate putting on borders! Almost as much as I hate making up backings :*) Good for you getting in there and finishing it up!

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  13. Love the sunburst!! Karen is a bad influence in that way..... Personally I don't like the multi strips. The block is so WOW that it needs to be the focus. (imho)
    Your picnic quilt is adorable! And the quilting on the pumpkin is fantastic! You go girl!!

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  14. The mini mariner's is wonderful! I think I like the gradient look...
    Your feather on the pumpkin is a beauty as always!

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  15. Oh, my!! Your mariner's compass is fabboo!! And I think I like the varigated corners the best!! Your patriotic quilt is wonderful - love the 25 patch!! And you ARE getting good at those feathers!! Yum - purple!! Can't wait!!

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  16. Crazy Quilter, you had me thinking you'd taken the jump into the Pam Buda SAL, Darn. Smaller Mariner's Compass looks nice with the gold border. Your practice feathers gorgeous as usual.

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  17. Be4autiful hyperguilting! I love it.
    I would finish your star with the strips! I love colors!

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  18. Wonderful projects! The mariner's compass is perfect! I have had a similar experience when someone sent me a pattern - that I didn't ask for. And I ended up making it after my initial "I'll NEVER make that!" It's great to push ourselves some. That's kind of what I'm doing with my basket quilt. I'm getting used to applique and even feeling more comfortable with it! I'm jealous of your feathers. I need to get practicing, but I'm on another trip. When I get home, I think I'll stick around a while and get some things done!

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  19. Wow ... all I can say about your Mariner's Compass is WOW!!! While I love the pieced corners, I fear that they're detracting from the Mariner's Compass ... like Lori said, it *needs* to be the star! I bookmarked the pattern ... although I may never get around to making it (as much as I love paper piecing, the thought of such a small block with such teeny tiny pieces is pretty intimidating!). Your feathering is simply gorgeous. I love feathers and I love batiks, and you've combined both to create a thing of breathtaking beauty! And as I've said before, your picnic quilt has inspired me to make another one. ;-)

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  20. I absolutely love your sunburst block - it's beautiful! Personally I like the first picture, with just the black binding. The rest just make it too much. My eyes just want to look at that block! Love your picnic quilt too - such a great, simple pattern, then the color combo makes it just perfect. I'm amazed at your quilting - keep it up, you have a real talent for it.

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  21. Great mariner's compass.....Love it, but not crazy about the strip piecing in the corner with yellow as it pulls the eye away from the center.
    More hyper quilting....go girl. Love the 3 colors of thread idea!

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  22. I think your strip pieced corners are a good choice, but since I don't believe you can ever have "too much" red, I'd probably make fewer strips and set the out a little farther....you know, to have the red show more. But it's not my quilt! You keep playing around until you find the option that speaks to you. Still loving your feathers......still jealous, too. :)

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  23. Looks like you've been keeping busy, huh? Great projects - that Mariner's Compass is mind boggling because of it's size!

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  24. I love that compass block! Gorgeous! And the mock up with the stripped borders is perfect! It brings out the colors in the block so well, and the red isn't too much either. Love it! And I'm in love with your batik feathers......oh my gosh! Fantastic! You are the queen of feathers, girl! :o)

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  25. Oh my Janet! LOVE your Mariner Compass block... the fabric, the colors... and it's paper pieced! I like how you made it larger by adding the setting triangles, (As I'm writing this my printer is busy making copies of the paper pieced pattern... those are some tiny pieces!) Enlarged your pictures for a better look...Feathers on the Pumpkin is gorgeous!!!

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  26. Again, I can't say enough about your "Feathers", they are so beautiful. I think you could just make a whole quilt with color on color with just feathers. I also love, love your Compass top (quilt) it is just beauiful as well. I think that the color you have on as the last border would be great for the binding. It would make the Compass "POP" as it should. I am sure what ever you choose will be perfect.

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  27. I love your compass. I'd try a black print, same as the compass if you have it or something to compliment, where the red is. Perhaps use the red for pipping just to give it some punch. Try the pipping just inside the binding OR between the setting pieces of black and the black triangles (right now red). I'd be trying to accentuate the compass. My goodness 6" is tiny for a design as complicated as the compass.

    Another thought make the strip pieced triangles skinnier and radiating out from the center. Try adding in red and black with the golds.

    I think the compass should stand proud next to some beautiful feathers in the setting triangles.

    I'm with you on the batik/batik binding. I'm doing exactly that on Koriander Kompass getting ready for the Sept 2nd due date for the San Diego Quilt Show.

    Happy week Janet! Sandi

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  28. i'd try alternating the red with the gold....just to see what it looks like...beautiful job....i love paper piecing except for removing the papers...

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  29. Oh, I love your compass block...just gorgeous. I do like the strip pieced corners you added too. I really love you RWB quilt too! Good job!

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  30. Wow, that compass is impressive! It's looks terrific and so do your feathers.

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