Oh it's crazy, all right. This quilt is part of a bee that I'm participating in. I finished it on Friday and could barely wait to write a post about it. Mostly because the associated insanity was all my fault. Who knew that giving people a choice in sizes would cause maniacal reasoning?
Besides, I was pretty proud of the fact that I had thought that through, somewhat. I didn't consider a few other problems. Actually I didn't consider that there would be other problems. There were. Several. But I worked through them. It was easy, except for the schizo times when I thought surely there was no way I'd figure it out. I'm particular, you understand. Well, not so much particular as spoiled. I like to get what I want. I know what it is and I want that. Not something else.
In this particular case I didn't want to square up the blocks because that would make the nine-patches wonky. I love wonky. But only when I intend wonky. Otherwise, I want the opposite of wonky (whatever that might be).
I also had decided early on that I'd pretend that the block is the square formed by the meeting of the X's. That was going to be easy (at least in my head it would) because in my head the tip of the X's would all just touch....or almost touch.....or be close to almost touching. Never in my head did the X's get so flippin' far away from each other.
Look at the arm of this yellow X. It's nowhere near the arm of the other X. It's like they are in different time zones. I knew I'd have to fake it--that was the plan, after all. But I also had to improvise--not as easy. Then I had to slapdash, pull together, and dream up ways to make the squares, well, spaces--and not necessarily square spaces. Here's another place where arms and legs are strewn all about like a crazed octopus with no self-control.
So I made-do as my grandmother used to say. Sometimes I connected the X's, sometimes I pretended to connect them and sometimes I just let it all go.
And I quilted the heck out of it. It's not perfectly flat, but it pretends to be and that's about all I can ask of it. The quilting motifs are all labeled in this post so that you can see how I changed from one to another. If you like these, go to Leah Day's website. She has more than I'll ever use.
Yes! A Finish! Some time ago I joined a bee group online that consists of many of the same people who were involved with the Louisiana Traveling Quilt. We added a few more folks and in no time we began building blocks for the Queen Bee.
You've heard of queen for a day? I was Queen for a whole month in February. (On a side note: being queen is cool--I understand why real queens don't give up the crown.)
So, I got several blocks that I designed (sort of) and requested. One of the fun parts of being in a group is reporting back to everyone on your progress. They loved it when I told them the quilting was finished...oh, that was a while ago, but everyone said, "you're what?!" and other such nice things so I felt special all over again.
I have a post about the "X Block" here, but if you read that post, you know there were a few surprises.
Surprise 1: I gave directions that allowed each quilter to choose her own size, so the blocks are all sorts of sizes. Okay, I figured that is something I can handle with, what else? fabric!
Surprise 2: The X strips could be wonky, straight, or angular. That means the blocks also are not square. Heavens, I didn't see that coming. I also didn't see just how wonky they really are....my sweet husband (the man who sees every problem) politely pointed that out. He wasn't so polite with the smirk, or the laugh. And I didn't appreciate that shaking head too much, either.
Surprise 3: I figured it out all on my own, thank you! (Take that, negative husband man.)
Can you see how the quilt name was changed from X Quilt to Crazy X Quilt? (We'll say it because the X's are crazy, not the "designer.") It's been a trip, but challenges are good.
And when we take the challenges for what they are and handle them, well, it's even more fun.
Imagine how special I'll feel when the bee hive finds out that the quilt is on the bed in the new camper.
Linking up with
I've made it! Well, I made the block; I haven't made the deadline. I started early enough....last week. But I sort of puttered out as soon as I chose the fabrics.
During the week I got going again. But that didn't last. After sewing only a few pieces together, I came in for a drink and puff! Nothing else happened.
I'm blaming school. Which I have every right to blame. After all, they worked me "half to death" as we say in the South.
So today I forced myself to march in there and work! I enjoyed every moment and love the blocks. I even have an idea for using some of my own but maybe in one colorway.
Regardless, these are done and ready to mail on Monday morning.
Which means that I had time to work on another quilt.
More on that one Monday...
So another modern quilt involving a bee begins. I asked that my hive create X blocks of low volume neutrals and bright/bold X pieces.
I have no idea why I wanted these blocks. I think I started out considering a cross block. Where the cross became an X, I have no clue, but it's all good. Especially since I had the month of February, and several blocks are already in my possession.
We start with a nine patch and chop into two pieces, add one strip of the X, cut in half in the opposite direction, and add the second strip of the X.
The block is really quite easy, but the maker has to step out of her comfort zone for this one, so I'm really happy I've chosen it. I have no problem at all cutting into a block, but that is not the case for everyone. In the end it's been a fun experience and several of the others have thanked me for pushing them out of their comfort zones.
"Why, you're welcome."
Right now I have nine: I made four and five have come in, but we have a FB page and there are a couple more completed blocks that are on their way. In fact one arrived today!
How these will turn out will be interesting, don't you think? Since they are all different sizes, I have something of a plan to make them fit together. Of course, my plan may not work! So I'm open for suggestions. What do you think will work?
