Sunday, December 12, 2010

Jen's Diamonds top done

Knowing I needed to put some time into prepping for Statistics today, I was downstairs by 7:15 am to get some sewing time in. I told myself...."until noon"....

...I'm on such a roll that MAYBE I'll say ... "until 3:00".... ???

Anyway...

Jen's Diamonds (86"x96")

I JUST finished the top a few moments ago. I used up a good amount of fabric piecing together the borders. At first, I considered a piano-key border using the fabric odds-n-ends that I still have from the 10-minute blocks, but.....ummm...I caved. That would have taken a load of time that I just don't think I have. So, instead, I slapped on three sets of borders once the blocks were pieced. I needed to get the quilt wider FAST in order to fit a queen bed, so the side borders are 8" wide. THEN, I didn't have enough of the brown fabric to also make the top/bottom 8" (which honestly would have made it too long), so they are only 3" wide, using up the last of that fabric. I would have liked the top/bottom borders to be more like 4-5" just so that visually it would "fit better" {{I'm a mathematician, so the "golden ratio" is often an image I like to see}}, and 8" sides vs. 3" top/bottom....just doesn't look right.

So, I headed upstairs with it to see just how "bad" it looked on Cass's bed (queen size). Can't even notice the difference since the borders are clearly on the draped sides.

Oh, and do you notice the different layout of the blocks? When I headed downstairs this morning, the checker-board layout just didn't look right, so....I played around and came up with this layout. I like it better because there is some symmetry to it now; specially for those blocks that have that crazy brown/copper fabrics.

DH started a fire earlier upon rising, but since I've been downstairs all morning, I haven't really noticed. I have a small vent in my sewing room where I get some warm air, but we don't have the infloor heat on. Since my sewing room is now tile, and I was also working in the open area for pinning borders, etc..........tscha.....well, the temps downstairs usually range from 55-60 degrees. My 'sewing' wardrobe usually is sweats, sweatshirt, toasty-fuzzy socks ....

So when I came upstairs to take a pic of the quilt top on Cass's bed....I was hit by a wall of wood-furnace heat. OMGOODNESS!!!! Needless to say, I have since stripped off my sweatshirt and socks.


Okay, I have chaos going on in the kitchen. Time for me to go put something together for lunch before my kids drive me crazy with their whining.

5 comments:

Darling Jill Quilts said...

That looks great! Good luck with getting back to the sewing room today! :)

Andra Gayle said...

The quilt looks great! I love the horse one too. My daughter is getting English riding lessons for Christmas so I may have to consider this panel. I have been working for about an hour and finally have my backing put together and about to load it onto the Lizzie. I too have to plan for classes tomorrow-i think it is going to be a late night!

Tracy said...

I love the new layout...I tend to be a symetrical person too. It's amazing how it 'grew' when you put it on the bed...the first picture it looks smaller. I guess those big blocks are deceptive! I love that technique and can't wait to try it. I'm wondering if it will work with smaller blocks. Thanks for sharing how to do it!
I have no heat in my sewing room except for a portable one. I do not like to be cold! So if it's too cold or the wind is blowing just the right(wrong?)way I avoid sewing!

scraphappy said...

That new layout did wonders to make the copper blocks look like they belonged. Your mathematical mind just longs for order I guess. The smaller borders on the top and bottom look just fine once the quilt is on the bed.

Candace said...

Wow, it turned out great, I love how you arranged the blocks. We have a beginning sewer in the family, she doesn't know she is yet, that will be at Christmas. Do you think this would be a good 3rd or 4th project (smaller of course) for a beginner about 8 years old.