Sunday 2 February 2014

Are you economising?

 So I fell hard for this economy block along.
 The crush was so great it developed into a kingsize.
An 81 block kingsize.
 My scrap stash dictated the colourway.
There are some god awful really unusual combinations here,
as I chose fabrics that contrasted in the main.
I still need to settle on the layout
the layout above although looks good on screen
but in person it was too hectic
so I have sewn another 9 with muted contrasts,
to give the eye a rest from the stripes.
Wish me luck with the block swapping,
I'm not sure why I'm in such a hurry 
I don't have the money for wadding
not with having a new boiler fitted this week... no but at least I am economising.

I am thinking of hand quilting diagonal lines in black...
what do you think?

29 comments:

  1. Another amazing quilt! This is the first truly scrappy set of economy blocks I've seen and I really like the effect. It reminds me of days gone by....heritage quilting. Diagonal lines in black....yes!

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  2. That's a proper quilt! I dislike the ones made with too complex geometrics so the fabrics are left. I actually prefer just squares. I don't like new fabric bought for quilting and then cut up. I prefer the roots of quilting.

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  3. They are lovely blocks and rather addictive!
    Di x

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  4. Diagonal lines in Black, yes definately! Fantastic Economy Block Quilt!

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  5. Very nice. I think the dark quilting would look nice. If you do it with thicker thread, like pearl cotton, the darker patches will pop.

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  6. Love it! Black stitching yes!!! but what about stitching circles in black, maybe the would calm it a bit and make the colors pop. Great job!

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  7. Hi Clare! Looks beautiful! I love the economy block and your Fabrics are great! I have in my mind to make these blocks with men's shirts. I can't even find wadding from here and often I use fleece - not the best but economy. Have a lovely week! x Teje

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  8. yes I agree, circles would look great, one per block, round the outer square, touching the corners. Maybe consider using a flannel sheet or fleece blanket for backing with no batting, for an inexpensive alternative. My friend bought a wool blanket from Oxfam and backed her quilt with that (no batting) it had a lovely feel.
    I love scrap quilts, for me, they are the essence of what patchwork was all about.

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  9. Love the blocks. Ummm as an old fuddy duddy I am going to say hold back on the quilting there is soooo much going on with the fabric already.....but why don't you do a test area and see how you feel about it. I must warn you though I really struggle with the quilting and find that as you work on a piece it generally tells you where to go.......in the nicest possible way of course.

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  10. WOW! This is gorgeous Clare! It has a real 'vintage' feel! I love the idea of adding some less 'busy' blocks too. (I am doing a similar thing with my + and x friendship blocks this month too!) And the black stitching sounds perfect!

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  11. At least you will be warm whilst hand quilting. It's looking great!

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  12. I think it is lovely and I am sure any finishing touches you choose to do will work well. x

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  13. It's looking great and all the colourful-ness is only lovely and cheerful!!

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  14. You have been busy!
    Glad to see the boiler issue has been sorted, although the cost isn't good. I got the cooker sorted this week, good to have it back again!
    Lisa x

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  15. .... and you just whipped that up??!! Its fab xxx

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  16. I was thinking circles too, especially when I look at the secondary block made up where the four corners meet. Maybe overlapping circles or what I've heard called the "Baptist pattern" connected half circles? I just bookmarked a tutorial on making economy blocks because it's so lively and useful. Great king size quilt you've made, not sure I would swap out any blocks. Maybe use the extras for pillowcases?

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  17. I love it too! I have a dislike for black so go ahead and dispprove me, I would use navy.

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  18. wow! it is epic and awesome...i really like it. :) my favorite part is the scrappiness of the blocks.

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  19. Lovely!!!! What size of block did you make? I always prefer hand quilting.

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  20. Did you even stop to eat? Geez! I knew you were up to something good! Love it Clare!

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  21. Beautifully scrappy!! It's funny, I just finished mine and I also felt it was too hectic when I laid it out. I almost added solid lattice in between just to calm it down a bit. I think yours looks great!

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  22. What a lovely quilt. I'm interested to see what quilting you go with as I have an unfinished economy block quilt top and don't yet have any thoughts about the quilting.

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  23. Love your quilt. It seems to have gone together really quickly. Seems a good way to work through your stash. I think however you choose to quilt it, it will be a good choice.

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  24. Hi Clare,
    Its an easy block to become obsessed with! I like your mix of patterns and colours. I've just put the binding on mine this morning, I enjoyed making it but it did frustrate me a little when it came to sewing the blocks together and all those points weren't perfect. I think the block making was deceptively easy, it was the putting it together that was a test! I just ditch quilted mine and am looking forward to moving onto something more muted and easy!
    Hen xxx

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  25. This looks amazing Clare! The beauty of a quilt like your design is that you can use any fabric to hand, and sneak in a few not-so-pretties as its all absorbed into the overall effect. A great stash buster, but lots of work for you!
    Your quilting idea sounds good,a change from the usual cream stitches.Its going to look stunning.
    Gill xx

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  26. Beautiful! So vintage looking. I think it must be because you consider the value first and pattern is secondary? Wonderful, wonderful quilt.:)

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  27. Hi Clare,

    This is so gorgeous! I think hand quilting diagonally in black would add great interest to the quilt xx

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  28. Uglies required to highlight the beauties and then you find out they are swans after all

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  29. I have just discovered your patchwork, which I find wonderful. You are inspiring.

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