I have been using every snippet of time I have found so far this week sewing up my RSC17 quarter log blocks. I think I am approaching enough blocks for a quilt top so I thought I would firm up the layout this afternoon.
There are quite a number of layout choices for these blocks. I decided to throw the blocks up on my wall (in no particular order) to see what I liked.
My initial plan was to play off the 3D effect these blocks can create. I started out with a square in the center of the quilt and let the blocks "echo" out to the edges.
I wasn't that enthused by what I was seeing....
So I rotated the blocks around so the "fractured" blocks were created. My opinion was about the same as the first layout.
So, I then just put the blocks all oriented in the same direct and stepped back. Still didn't do a lot for me. So I made myself a cup of tea and decided to ponder the blocks a bit more.
It finally donned on me that it really wasn't the layouts, it was more 1) Green is not a favorite color of mine, and 2) I really didn't like the different hues all together. I was still struggling with the blue green and the yellow greens all in one quilt together.
Once I identified the issue, it was time to do a bit of problem solving...
I went to my stash and found this earthy striped fabric way at the bottom of a pile. It has all the shades of green in it and adds some interest with the turquoise and orange.
I could sash every block like the photo above or use the fabric as sashing in the other layouts. In the fractured squares, I could sash around each big square and in the 3D layout, I could sash around each round of blocks.
What do you think? I need your opinion!
Not liking the color green, this quilt will probably never be a favorite of mine. And a LOT of these fabrics have been kicking around for decades (probably because I don't like to work with the color) so I find them tired and worn out looking.
So I need your fresh eyes and to tell me what you think.
Thanks :)
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36 comments:
The squares are lovely! Honestly, I really like the second layout. If you don't like all the greens together, what if you replace one quadrant of each square in the second layout with a taupe grunge or some other neutral and just expand the quilt. Or outline the blocks with black before putting them together. It is lovely as it though!
I like the version with all of the blocks facing the same direction. The sashing does add interest and cohesiveness -- perhaps sew it together and let it become one of your donation quilts? I agree that a lot of the older faded greens no longer float my boat either.
Only because you asked...I like the third photo, where they are all lined up in the same direction, much better than the first two. With so many different fabrics and sizes of "logs" something has to help you focus. I like it better without sashing. Or maybe try a solid sashing?
Or if you're not loving it maybe just move on. For me, if it's not fun, I let it go.
I gleened out my greens, but added a 'pop' color to perk them up. A red, purple, black, bright yellow or pink. Even though I am a fan of stripes, still doesn't spark the drab of green.
It is definitely hard to make yourself work on something that you're not liking! I actually like the layout in the fourth picture where you added that interesting sashing. You could power through to finish this up or take a break from it for awhile. (Although I find when I do that, I don't go back to the project!). Whatever you decide to do, there is someone out there who will love this quilt!
The first two layouts make me dizzy but I like the second with the orientation of each block in the same direction and I think the striped sashing helps tie the variety of greens together.
I think green is harder to work with than any other color if there are many shades and variations of the color.
How about putting the blocks on the diagonal, like clamshells? You could also add scrappy red sashing and make a Christmas quilt that you'd only have to look at once a year! Can you make them into a forest of trees by adding brown trunks? You could also consider them string blocks and cut them into triangles and dilute them with other colors. Red-violets, hot pinks and purples look wonderful with mixed greens!
The third layout gets my vote, I love that they all seem to be overlapping. Perfect sashing fabric.
I too would have a hard time making a 'green' quilt! I like your last version, the added stripe adds some extra colour! But, I'm looking forward to seeing what you decide to do.
At least you're being honest with yourself. I have trouble putting the various green hues together; same thing with the purples. Speaking of purple, it's frequently paired with green. Although I like the 3-D effect of the first setting, I also like Lisa's idea of setting on point like clamshells.
I like the third layout because it gives the greens some order that is pleasing to my eye. good luck with whatever you choose!
All of the greens are similar tones (according to my screen) Adding another color for pop or contrast is a possibility. If you took a B&W shot of the quilt, you could see what I mean- it is not so much the color green as the lack of contrast. If you think the spring and what goes with the new greens popping out- it may help.
I've only done this pattern once and had the same problem, I ended up with #3 as the rest were too much on my eyes - but that is me I had a hard time to focus - there was no focal point in my opinion
I think I like the third layout with the sashing. It relieves the problem of the logs in different sizes and adds enough color to add interest. Green is so calm it can be dull! I'm working on a green scrap quilt and finding I'm having a similar problem. I'll be happy to be finished withi!
I might try taking four blocks from the fractured type layout and sash between those four so you would have sashing between each group of four. I'd try different reds or pinks for that sashing besides the striped one you have picked out. Not sure if I explained my thinking properly.
Honestly I like the very first one - but Ilike crazy stuff. Those are great blocks!
Love the blocks! I would put them on point if it were me. Keep us posted on what you decide--you received lots of lovely suggestions!
I do like your sashing fabric solution featuring all the hues of green. You might try one more layout option: Try a row of alternating blocks facing southeast and northwest so the strips make Greek Key-like patterns, then use the sashing between the horizontal rows. Good luck! And even if this quilt is never a favorite of yours, someone will surely enjoy and appreciate it.
Are you entering the Pantone Quilt Challenge? Greenery is the main color and I think you qualify. http://www.nohatsinthehouse.com/2017/03/2017-pantone-quilt-challenge-greenery.html
I would like to see the second layout with the earthy striped sashing around the block. I think that would make it pop.
Love that sashing fabric, but I think it would look fantastic worked into the log cabin blocks! Looking at this quilt takes me back a couple years ago because I made one almost identical from my scrap bin! I added a lot of golden brown which helped mellow out of the greens and though I loved how it turned out, it was terribly hard to get good pictures of. Here's a couple links so you can see my layout: http://quiltyfolk.blogspot.com/2013/10/a-finish.html, and http://quiltyfolk.blogspot.com/2013/10/scrap-attack-1-log-cabin-ready-to-be.html. It was a good layout for these particular colors! My quilt really ended up looking very rich and masculine {I gave it to my son} and I still love catching glimpse of it today. Don't give up, you might end up liking it yet!!
p.s. Oh, and I added a dark brown which helped provide more contrast.:)
I too tried green and even though I love green, I wasn't happy. It is an anniversary quilt for my son and his wife so I added other colors they like, turned it on point and added sashing. It's still not one I care for but it does look much better.
I like the sashing added...it connects them all well and lifts all the colours . Green is, of course, my favourite colour It definitely needs the tweek though to bring it alive. Keep at it, it will fall into place for your.
I also like the third layout, but yeah, I feel the same way about all the green. Instead of the busy sashing, what about a solid/near-solid complementary color, like purple or red? I see someone else suggested my other idea, which was to try setting them on point. Checkerboarding them with an plain block is also a good idea.
You really picked a winner with that sashing fabric. You could have looked in a fabric store for weeks and not found that! I am partial to the sashing which ever way you choose to set them. You probably need to lay them out in each setting with the sashing to see which looks best. I know the sashing will change the looks. I think it would make a lovely quilt even without the sashing but I think the sashing makes them pop.
The third one is the only one that does not frustrate me wanting to match blocks that don't. Dizzy is a good word. The mention of low contrast is also a problem. On my iPad many of the olives looked brown or even gray, dragging the others down. I like the Sparks of teal and orange or purple or dare I say magenta. It's a,tough one. I do need a focal point of some kind. Good luck!
I LOVE the sashing!!!! Really ties everything together
The third picture from the top I like. Do not care for the sashing at all!
Do you have enough blocks to lay them out in a gradient way, lighter blocks to darker, for example? Maybe that would help you feel a bit better about them? Wendy at piecefulthoughts@gmail.com
I didn't want to say that the colors did nothing for me. But when you added the latticing, it really popped out better. I think you are on the right track. I look forward to seeing what comes next.
I also don't love all that green together, but if you threw in some orange somewhere...border, backing etc...I would like it more. I definitely prefer the 2nd layout to the first. It's ironic because I made some courthouse steps blocks today in purple, blue and a tad of green. I don't like them as much as I thought that I would. I'm playing around with layouts also. I've decided that bands of solid color may help my design. . I applaud you for your commitment to your scrapst!! Good luck and keep us posted on your end result.
I happen to love purple with green, and think purple sashing could be the fix. I prefer your third layout, though I checked out commenter Audrey's quilt, and like the way she has the blocks facing different directions instead of all oriented the same way. Instead of sashing maybe add another tier to the blocks in a brighter, not green color.
I really like the third layout. I don't think it needs sashing, but if you want to add one, a solid might give you good visual relief. Black might be good, or even a dark green if you wanted to stay monochromatic.
I like the third layout a lot. It is restful, which to me is a good quality to assign to a green palette. The regularity of the blocks' directionality fits the calmness of the colors, without being boring. I really do not care for the striped sashing at all. It is very jarring to my eye. Still, the judgment of what does or doesn't work is such a subjective thing, as the comments show! I look forward to seeing which direction you take these blocks. ....I recently found your interesting blog and am enjoying looking back through posts. Andrea
I'm going with the 3rd version. Not a fan of dirty greens either; love bright limey greens.
Don't care for the stripe/like the suggestion of a solid sash - I like Kona stone. I'd try that on the wall.
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