Eads Quilt Along #3: Other Project Sizes and Ideas.
Project sizes seems pretty obvious, but hang with me for just a minute while I explain why I think this is a worthwhile talking point for the week. When I was thinking about my own Eads project for this quilt along, I immediately started thinking about end goals for the quilt. Do you do that?
Obviously, a quilt to cozy up with for myself would be awesome. I know that I’ve already made one, but in reality it’s not one that will be in my hands very often. Many of my quilts are traveling with me while I teach or traveling on their own to shops, which means I’m rarely able to truly claim them as my own. That is not a complaint, it’s just a reality. Option #1 would be to hang on to this guy, which is a good option.
But I also thought of another option, which would be to shoot for making roughly the same number of blocks, and instead of making 1 quilt with them, make a few smaller projects. Out of 120 blocks, you could make like 3 baby quilts and a wall hanging. There are some babies that I want to make quilts for…and there’s a wall hanging that I’d like to make for a friend…so in theory I could kill a few birds with just one stone.
There’s also the possibility that you’re really getting into the process of pulling and picking fabrics. Yeah, I’m in this boat too. For that reason, I appreciated Carissa (@treadletothemetal) making note of it. (This is such a fun pull!)
In this case, you could definitely consider multiple outlets for all the beautiful blocks that you’ll make. Or, you can also just make a MASSIVE quilt. That’d be cool too.
Last, there’s the idea that the creative direction that your blocks are taking are leading you down a variety of different paths. While I’m all about finding ways to connect those paths, I’m also not opposed to letting them be their own thing. By rethinking final project size and intention, you can give yourself the freedom to continue exploring without feeling like you’re wasting energy or sending yourself toward a dead-end. Just remember that there are a variety of end points for you to pursue. I think that the better goal is to stay creatively engaged in your project. The details can be worked out later.
Here’s where I’m at this week.
There’s something satisfyingly linear about this project. It’s almost like a tag team of fabric, where starting with one initiates a path to explore.
I’m finding the lavender path to be an area of interest.
To be redundant on a point from last week, wardrobe choices worked their way into this batch of blocks as well.
There’s more Arroyo (from Erin Dollar) that I want to add, but first I need to save some for a dress that I also want to make. It got cut out first, which ensures enough for both projects.
What goes well with warm lavender? Well, mustard and peach, of course!
The mustard is from my recent friedlander collection, and the peach is the shade originally in my architextures collection. Fabric is so much fun. I hope you’re thinking so too.
Tips:
+ Use the paper! Write notes to yourself about what goes where if you need a reminder.
+ Have you found yourself at a dead-end? While I have been working relatively linearly so far, I’m all for aborting ship if an idea starts to feel stale. Shake things up if you’re feeling that it’s time!
+ Pick the fabric for your next block before calling it a day. This will make it much easier to get in the groove when you have time to sew again.
How’s your week going?
I was reading along and was all, hey, I recognize that pile of fabric! 😉 Great tips and ideas here! I am definitely realizing I pulled way more fabric than I needed for 120 blocks. Ha! So at this point, I’m thinking maybe a colorful quilt and a neutrals/solids quilt?? Big color one and maybe a wall hanging of the leftover neutrals? Who knows. The possibilities are endless. Having so much fun with the fabric and the combinations. Not sure if it’s a problem or not that there won’t be very many blocks with the same to fabrics?!? Also, random question! Do you leave your paper on until the end or take it off right away so you can stick them to the wall?
Excellent question! I leave the paper on–I like that it keeps blocks flat and clean–but you’re right, the paper makes it not attach to a design wall. I use the cheap headless pins to pin things into the design wall, because they hold it in place but don’t distract visually. And also, I am totally not trying to call you out on too much fabric–it’s such an inspiring pull! I love your idea of maybe separating them in the end…or whatever. Cross that bridge when you get there! Whatever you do will be lovely, I’m sure. 🙂
Oh no! I totally didn’t think you were trying to call me out at all!! Didn’t even occur to me. I had just separately realized that I got a little carried away with pulling out Euclid and Friedlander fabrics and there are so.many.fabrics! I just have to figure out whether they all belong in the same quilt. Or lots of different ones! 😉 Hee. Good to know about your papers. I figured you might have them pinned up there. I love to leave the papers in too and my design wall is all filled up right now so, floor it is; with papers on. But I am going to run out of floor space to lay it all out once I have the 120! 🙂 But, like you say; I’ll cross that bridge, and others, when I come to it! Thanks for your reply! Happy 4th weekend!
P.S. I’d be honored that you included my fabric pull picture even if you had been calling me out on too much fabric! 😉 😀 Lol.
Even though I am not sewing along, it is nice to hear your thoughts as you process. I can hear how you are enjoying yourself and love that you are encouraging others to follow the creative muse even when the destination is a bit unknown. There lies discovery!
Thanks so much, Rachel!
I love hearing others thought process. I change my mind all the time.
This is going to be a wonderful project and I am excited to see how every one’s turned out.
I have too many things on the burner right now, and too many burners as well.
I am working on your Facing East pattern. I got the book and I think it might be my favorite book ever.
Okay, I really greatly dislike paper piecing, the paper part. I have not used paper in ages. I use 100% cotton thin bed sheets, not scratchy type, the soft type, some are just used from the beds and the center part got too thin. My kids sheets. So I scanned your pattern, (and I have done this process for years now) and went over the lines with a fine point sharpie and a straight edge.
I love this way, I do not have to remove anything.
So far I am enjoying this pattern and all of your brilliant guidance in the book.
Oh I forgot to say, that after I go over the print out, I then trace over with a pencil and straight edge. So I have a nice pile of templates already
Glad that you found a system that works for you! 🙂
This is a refreshing conversation! My thoughts are mirrored here, as I’ve pulled from the piles on the floor that speak ‘look at me- I belong”. So fun enjoying and living this creative process! Yes, there will be angst at times…must be the inner critic. It’s all so human
Great! I’m so glad that you’re enjoying the process.
sigh. i’m going to have to jump in. 😉
I love that you are blogging more about your process. Your fabrics captivate me and I’ve been working up some of your designs this year. Hearing your shared thoughts means a lot -thank you!
Thanks so much, Jody!