Anyhoo, I vaguely desired to improv piece a cover, but somehow got roped into pulling out my triangle scraps (exhibit a). Not sure who made me do that? I can't really find anyone to blame.
The triangle scraps suggested that I could make a zigzag cover with half square triangles (HST). So, I spent a good part of "rest time" sorting through the scraps, pulling out colors I liked and laying them out into zigzag formation.
Then I got really grumpy. Rest time ended. I realized that I would have to sew like a million HST blocks and carefully trim and sew each one to make enough zigzags for a large enough pillow cover. Because of the average size of my triangle scraps, each finished HST block would be about 1.5". Ugh. And, the kids weren't exactly behaving like angels at the moment.
I couldn't hear myself think. I felt obligated to use the triangles which I had carefully sorted out. Steam started to rise from my head. I retreated to the bathroom and had a snappity conversation with myself, trying desperately to figure out what I wanted to do. I prayed. I breathed deeply.
I emerged haven given myself permission to shelve the triangles and try to be happy sewing something else.
And then the triangles had another idea! Make us into hourglass blocks of random sizes! And figure out how we become a pillow cover..... LATER.
Aaaaaaaaah.
So now I have these hourglass blocks. I like them. They were fun to sew. They used twice as many triangles as HST blocks would use per need-to-trim. Today, after I do some work for Curves Class, I have high hopes that they will sort themselves into a snazzy pillow cover.
the end.
The sentence: 'I kept putting it into smaller pillow covers' made me smile. It really is funny visualizing the pillow shrink.
ReplyDeleteBut the hour glasses look good. Good start. They can wait for the right moment;)
Groetjes
Annemieke ( admiring your blog and work from Cruquius, the Netherlands)
And no exaggeration, I promise! =)
Deletegah, my heart burst with joy when i saw these photos. and your scrap bin is well-stocked with awesomeness.
ReplyDeleteYou do seem to have a love/hate relationship with those triangles don't you ?
ReplyDeleteSometimes, it's as if fabric had it's own plan and you are just there to make it work. These hourglass blocks are going to make one pretty happy (huge) pillow :)
Seriously, I may have a problem. I just can't leave them alone, but they are tricky. I must secretly crave the challenge!
Deletethese look sooo lovely. Looking forward to seeing how you use them, I'm sure your pillow cover will look wonderful.
ReplyDeleteI like your story!
ReplyDeleteYou know there should be some place where are quilty thoughts can meet....brainbook?
Sometimes my head explodes with the not knowing what to sew!
ps. I especially liked the 'then I got grumpy' bit!
DeleteThank you Rachel for a wonderful post! I love your story and the pillow is going to be super! x Teje
ReplyDeleteI know the feeling about grumpy. I am doing some improv curved blocks for my Madrona Road project. I got as far as piecing a sample from scraps to make sure I understood the directions. I then decided to save making the actual blocks until another day.
ReplyDeleteYou could work in a medallion kind of way. Just start in the middle and then add strips that need to be longer and longer around it.
ReplyDeletevery good food for thought!
Delete;-) the end result looks good!
ReplyDeleteGenius! I might have to copy you, my + and x quilt is making a huge pile of Field Study triangle scraps!
ReplyDeletecan't wait to see the end result -- it looks like it's going to be great
ReplyDeleteI have moments like you had. First, I can get so flustered and I must step back and take a breather. When I come back later, an idea will come to me. I have to do this not only in sewing but in life! I do like the hourglass blocks and look forward to seeing them in your new pillow cover.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure it'll turn out great! As far as pillow form go - Crate and barrel has some great feather ones - and they're pretty cheap! Nice size too!
ReplyDeleteGood to know! I got mine from Fabric.com and was pleased with the selection. But... we'll see how it holds up. If it doesn't go well, I'll be clicking oer to Crate and Barrel next time.
Deletephew...that sounded exhausting. but yeay you found a way to use the triangles and I kinda love the hour glass blocks. Can't wait to see how you put them together.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see what they talk you into next. I'm sure it will be fabulous!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you had fun playing! :) Those are some great blocks and it'll be kind of a fun puzzle to fit them all together. The perfect idea for those triangles will come to you eventually I'm sure!
ReplyDeleteSince scraps multiply like rabbits, how about using them as a stitch and flip accent on a square a la Quilting Modern?
ReplyDeleteYes, a stitch and flip did occur to me the other day. Probably would be fun!
Delete