When I first did the layouts v4 was my favourite. It immediately stood out as the best option, as the one that represented where I felt I should go with a water theme. And even as I reviewed the comments and contemplated other layouts it still stood out for me. Then I started playing with other layouts.
Because I love v4 so much I tried v6. From the get go I saw that it was a big fat NO. It didn't work for me at all. No harm done, nothing was sewn. Then I remembered comments from Dillpickle about making it all "higgly piggly" with the breaks. That's where v7 came from. I fell in love immediately. I imagined making some more strips and even how I would construct the whole thing. I think I would use some of the softer blues to make these breaks, to bring out more blue overall in the quilt. Hmmm.
Then I did v8. Oh, v8. It was like I was some cheesy player in the bar who moved on from one potential conquest to the next with complete disregard to the girl he was just talking to. But this girl was hot. The layout worked right away, and I knew it right away. Thanks to Marielle and Christine for making comments about going on the diagonal. I don't know if I did what they suggested, but I think it worked out well.
But.You knew there was going to be a but, right? It doesn't say water to me anymore. The design works on so many levels, except for the original inspiration. Is that a problem? Well, not a problem, but for some reason is does concern me. AmandaJean told me to just sew it up already and stop fretting, but I can't help but obsess over it.
I don't know what to do! Good thing I'm going on a little vacation in a few days. I'll have some time to contemplate design and water. Or just drink, eat, read, write, and enjoy a getaway with my Hubby.
13 comments:
I still like v7 the best. It reads calmness to me which is what water means to me.
The diagonal does look nice. If it is going to bother you that it diverges from your original inspiration than maybe you shouldn't do that. I wouldn't want to go through all of that work and still be thinking about what it was supposed to be in the end.
But if not and you love it the best than go with it. I'm not much help am I?
sometimes what we think it should be is not the life it will lead. When i started my simply red quilts I had a whole quilt top done... then I cut it completely apart because it didn't speak to me... and started over. my idea for it was let go, and it became something totally different. Let it go, then come back to it, it will tell you what you need to do to give it, it's life... I don't think you've found the solution yet. but you will!
to many cooks in the kitchen perhaps? go relax. enjoy.
I like v4 but remember that it's YOUR quilt. I think you're absolutely right to get away from it for a few days... By now, it's probably all floopy in your head. Head for the Rockies - it will all make sense when you get back.
It's beautiful by the way.
Arrggghh! How confusing! I'm really chuffed that I made a vaguely helpful comment :-) Have a great break x
V4 definitely says "water" the best. What if you sew up V4 with these blue and green fabrics, and then save V7 for a different fabric combo down the road?
I think v4 - v8 are all fabulous in their own rights. Some say "water" more than others, but whatever you decide to do will be great - as you are a very contemplative quilter... I have yet to acquire that skill :-)
Happy vacationing to you! Now GO - chillax!
I say go with your first instinct and just do it. You might surprise yourself. Good luck!
I'm going to weigh in here without reading all the other comments (sorry about that). when you were talking about liking the diagonals but lost your inspiration my brain immediately envisioned a mostly horizontal layout with the top 6 inches in a zigzig pattern - like the chop of the waves. oriented landscape so you have the entire width of the quilt to portray water.
just what popped into my head so i thought i better write it down. good luck and cheers,
Sherry
I am confused about my houses, I will post pics later. I think some of your versions are too much alike. If you want water I would have the stripes going in the same direction. Anyway you do it will be work out well in the end. you can also have the water effect from the quilting.
I'm with dillpickle and feeling like a smiling dork for seeing my name in print. Okay, moving on.
I really liked version 4 but just had another thought. Every time I've seen your pieces and the term water for the quilt I tend to see streams and river water with that sort of shimmery slight movement. I think a totally vertical layout with rippling quilting go parallel but not straight on the strips would bring that watery movement.
But I also agree with Amanda Jean - just do it. LOL I'm sitting here with a cushion front for goodness sakes, not even a quilt that I can't even post to my blog because it's a surprise gift for my mom and it took me two weeks just to settle on a color scheme. May not be the best voice of reason. Gah, there not so much pressure on me when I sew clothes. ;-)
Good gosh, girl. GO DRINK WINE AND BE WITH YOUR HUBBY... NOW.
Hi Cheryl!
I am w/Amanda Jean. I think that once you choose the option that really speaks to you and you actually sew it together, you will love it. THEN I know that you will add some of your cool quilting motifs and it will be awesome!
So jump in and enjoy the water!
i go through this same process when i piece my quilt backs. it takes me a good few days (or sometimes weeks) to figure out what to do. so i DO understand your dilemma. but sometimes you just have to sew it up and get on with it. (i tell myself that once in awhile.)
hopefully inspiration (or decisivness) hits hard while you are away. :)
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