Thanks so much to everyone who offered suggestions on last week's design wall dilemma. I have read every comment and have become frozen with indecision. I am working through my positive self talk strategies following my Mom telling me (after looking at the quilt on the design wall) that it is "a nightmare"! Thanks Mom! So on my design wall today is something different - my letters from the letter quilt along, based on Tonya's book. I am up to 'J' and finding that each letter takes me quite a while to figure out. No matter how hard I try, the size of each letter varies considerably. I guess that getting a consistent size takes more practice? I am resisting the urge to trim the letters as Lynne recommended.
I practiced making some 'E' blocks to make another word for my virtues quilt, but this is as far as I got this week. To see what other quilters are working on this week, hop over to Patchwork Times.
Just add more background to make them even. Have fun even when Mom doesn't like what she sees. My Word Play quilt gets to go to Flimsy this week- MAYBE! I have more random blocks to make to fill in the rows.
I have never tried letters and now I can see why. I think I may try the letters at ofransson. They will be applique and I hope easier to get the same size...I hope.
Getting the letters about the same size, at least the same height, is the hardest part for me too. At first I didn't resist the urge to trim and later learned the wisdom in waiting until it was time to sew the letters together. You'll be congratulating yourself in the end :)
Lovely letters, getting them all similarly sized can be difficult, but is it really necessary? Once they are all put together the sizes will just add a nice whimsy. As for the hexagons from last week, I think a nice diagonal stripe might be a nice cross between linear and random. I always long for some sort of contrast or pattern in scrap quilts, it just lets the eye relax more and flow through the quilt. If neither of the arrangements so far is calling to you, maybe they want to go together a different way.
Your letters are wonderful, and your fabric choices are delightful! NOT trimming the letters before you sew them together into words gives you a lot more flexibility in your layout options, that's the big thing. Getting them a consistent size takes a bit of thought and planning, there's no denying. I promise to address that issue in the blog!
Making letters is such fun! If you are worried about the size of your letters, get some graph paper and sketch out a letter. Determine the size you want (say 5" high) and then divide the 5" into segments - like 1.5" for the top part, 2" for the middle part, and 1.5" for the bottom. Remember to add 1/2" before you cut the pieces. You may find that this helps keep them more or less the same size. BTW, I like your letters all different - it will be so cute when you sew them together!
I love your letters too. It is hard to get them all about the same size, though not sure it really matters! They are very pretty...love the J with the little top on it. You are almost caught up.
I like the letters being all different sizes. I would wait until they are all done before you trim or anything else. Something else might tickle your fancy. liz
I am sure loving the letters.. just like they are. Diff. sizes and everything. What a cute alphabet quilt for a kid that would make! Or a kid at heart. Great job!
I love those letters, and I think the different sizes will just make the quilt more interesting. I may have to go check that one out. And, I like the random hexagon design. Love your pink bricks quilt. You sure have been busy!
I think the letter blocks are adorable! It's easy to see why the finished size would be an issue though. Lots of fun fix options out there though, so never fear your quilt will be FUN when it's done.
Love your hexagons from last week; sorry the layout issue is so stressful. Sometimes projects just need to perculate a bit before they can be completed.
So on my design wall today is something different - my letters from the letter quilt along, based on Tonya's book.
Just add more background to make them even. Have fun even when Mom doesn't like what she sees. My Word Play quilt gets to go to Flimsy this week- MAYBE! I have more random blocks to make to fill in the rows.
ReplyDeleteI have never tried letters and now I can see why. I think I may try the letters at ofransson. They will be applique and I hope easier to get the same size...I hope.
ReplyDeleteGetting the letters about the same size, at least the same height, is the hardest part for me too. At first I didn't resist the urge to trim and later learned the wisdom in waiting until it was time to sew the letters together. You'll be congratulating yourself in the end :)
ReplyDeleteLovely letters, getting them all similarly sized can be difficult, but is it really necessary? Once they are all put together the sizes will just add a nice whimsy. As for the hexagons from last week, I think a nice diagonal stripe might be a nice cross between linear and random. I always long for some sort of contrast or pattern in scrap quilts, it just lets the eye relax more and flow through the quilt. If neither of the arrangements so far is calling to you, maybe they want to go together a different way.
ReplyDeleteYour letters are wonderful, and your fabric choices are delightful! NOT trimming the letters before you sew them together into words gives you a lot more flexibility in your layout options, that's the big thing. Getting them a consistent size takes a bit of thought and planning, there's no denying. I promise to address that issue in the blog!
ReplyDeleteMaking letters is such fun! If you are worried about the size of your letters, get some graph paper and sketch out a letter. Determine the size you want (say 5" high) and then divide the 5" into segments - like 1.5" for the top part, 2" for the middle part, and 1.5" for the bottom. Remember to add 1/2" before you cut the pieces. You may find that this helps keep them more or less the same size. BTW, I like your letters all different - it will be so cute when you sew them together!
ReplyDeleteI love your letters too. It is hard to get them all about the same size, though not sure it really matters! They are very pretty...love the J with the little top on it. You are almost caught up.
ReplyDeleteI like the letters being all different sizes. I would wait until they are all done before you trim or anything else. Something else might tickle your fancy. liz
ReplyDeleteA nightmare- geesh! She should be saying bravo for quilting. I love these letters.
ReplyDeleteI am sure loving the letters.. just like they are. Diff. sizes and everything. What a cute alphabet quilt for a kid that would make! Or a kid at heart. Great job!
ReplyDeleteI love those letters, and I think the different sizes will just make the quilt more interesting. I may have to go check that one out. And, I like the random hexagon design. Love your pink bricks quilt. You sure have been busy!
ReplyDeleteThey look great and I hope you feel more setteled about last weeks post.Your quilts look great.
ReplyDeleteAll your letters are very cool. I like Mary's idea of using backgound to make them into blocks.
ReplyDeleteI think the letter blocks are adorable! It's easy to see why the finished size would be an issue though. Lots of fun fix options out there though, so never fear your quilt will be FUN when it's done.
ReplyDeleteLove your hexagons from last week; sorry the layout issue is so stressful. Sometimes projects just need to perculate a bit before they can be completed.