These two quilt tops did not turn out as I had expected. They were both made in the mid to late 90's. This first one is corn and beans. I took the pattern quite literally because, look, there is corn fabric, and vegetable fabric. There are probably beans in there somewhere. At the time this was made, I was working in a quilt store. Unfortunately, I let modern tastes dictate my fabric choices here. How could I not know that this wouldn't satisfy me? And, it was a fair amount of sewing.
This grid type quilt was an idea that I had wanted to try for some time. Maybe I hadn't been quilting long enough to know that it wouldn't be successful. If I could do it over, I would add another value of red to create four surrounds of value. The center is just too huge!
These reds were real favorite fabrics of mine, and I used them all up in this top. Also, some of the skinny strips were the ends of some pieces that I really liked.These two tops ended up in someone else's collection because I sold them to a local machine quilter.
I think the best thing that can be said about these is that I saw them through to completion. That probably would not happen today. They would be left, in parts and pieces, to languish on a shelf.
17 comments:
not flops...no, not flops! I do know how you feel though when something is not just what you like.
O'Quilts is right... neither are flops at all! Just not what you envisioned... which is perfectly fine... after all, quilting is an on going learning process!
I, among many I am sure, are going to whoop you up side the head with a wet noodle - these are NOT FLOPS!!! I LOVE them both!!!
Each quilt we make is part of our quilting history. We learn as we try new and different styles, techniques and experiment with color and value. Thanks for sharing part of your journey.
I know what you mean about your tastes changing over the years. I have shelves of batiks, which is all I bought for 10 years. I have no idea what I'm going to do with them now!
I must add my thoughts here too - these quilts are not flops. Sometimes we don't really know what we like or dislike until we have actually sewn our choices into a quilt. If the art of quilting wasn't a learning process I think I would have become bored with it a long time ago. :)
I know the feeling of ending up with a project that isn't as appealing as you thought it would be. It is hard to finish these. At least they went to a new home and have been finished, I hope. Interesting post.
Well at least you made the flops into tops. I know what you mean. I have couple of UFO that I think I"m moving into the "not worth it" pile. I really like the grid quilt - it's very unusual.
They're not flops if someone wanted them for their collection. I think we've all made some disappointing quilts (in our own eyes), but it helps us learn our style and improve. It's brave of you to share yours. My first quilt has been hidden, unfinished in a closet for 40 years!
You know...I think sometimes we believe a top is a flop but when it gets machine quilted (adding the frosting) it just sort of takes on a new look on life....but then you have to invest in backing etc too....yeah...I've been in your shoes.
I think both quilts are very visually appealing--nothing floppy about them. But, as you said, our tastes do change. I have some finished tops I made in the 90s that I had planned on hand quilting--I loved them so. Now I don't think I like them well enough to go to that much effort.
These are really nice, very pleasing...not flops at all! I have some blocks that I don't care for and need to take apart and sash them to make things look better. I had just started out when I put them together and now know what is wrong with the pile of mess....now....that is a FLOP!! Your quilts are not in that same category at all!!
Just view them as learning experiences...you know exactly why they didn't work for you and those are mistakes you won't make again! BTW, the Corn and Beans looks fabulous from a distance! :-)
Flops is a hard word. Those quilts didn't work out to be perfect for you, but then, how many do? I think the learning-curve approach is closer to the mark. Every quilt we make gets us closer to the ultimate perfect one.
Personally, I like them both and they look like lots of time and effort went into them. Great, provocative post.
Nope...gotta disagree...definitely not flops. Very pretty quilts, in fact.
boy, i sure wish my flops were as nice as yours. the red one with scrappy strips is especially intriguing.
I could see some applique fall colored leaves spilling across the grid quilt.
I like both quilts! If you don't like them maybe finish and donate to a chemo clinic to keep patients warm. Both quilts would be very snuggly when finished :)
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