Sewcialites is finally off the design wall! Woo hoo! All the rows are sewn together and the borders attached. I have to say, those blocks all came together pretty perfectly. No fudging was required when sewing them together, which is unusual. I credit careful cutting, a strict 1/4" seam allowance, pressing seams open, and starching the fabrics before cutting. I love the way it came out. Once it is quilted, it will go nicely in my library/reading room.
And here is a new look for my sewing room design wall!
This is the Designer Mystery 2011 Sew Along. I am toying with layout ideas, which will be a bit different from what the directions say I should do. The official version of the quilt is 79" wide and 94" inches long. Now, if I put that on a queen-sized bed, I want the sides to drape over. The upshot is, I want a wider quilt than what the designers made.
I was thinking of doing four columns of three flowers instead of three columns with four flowers. Do you think that would be weird? Any ideas for a layout that is wider than 79" would be welcome!
I went to the Fat Quarter Shop website and searched for "Designer Mystery Quilt Finishing patterns" and came up with a good number of past layout patterns for the DM quilt alongs. Take a look and see if you think one of them might be a good choice. I am flexible for sure, and have a lot of fabric.
I've made 12 12" blocks, but could make more. I've got yards of finishing fabric, so there are lots of options. I could even scrap the stems and do a diagonal layout with alternate blocks....
I made one of the "stem" blocks to see how it looks, and I think it's pretty cute, but I'm not committed.
I invite you all to weigh in with suggestions!
I think I'd suggest adding another row of 3 blocks so the outer rows are "up". Perhaps same 3 blocks as row on left, but put in reverse order. For this quilt I would not do on point. Please show what you decide!
Posted by: Bonny | February 03, 2022 at 04:39 AM
I agree with Bonnie with adding another row. Of course, as long as you have fabric, anything goes and I bet it will look great. Looking forward to see what you do.
Posted by: janet S | February 03, 2022 at 04:58 AM
I would add another row, and a good size border or some fancy sashing. With the height of today's mattresses you will probably want it more than 90 inches wide. Beautiful fabric.
The stems would just make it longer.
Posted by: Carole Moore | February 03, 2022 at 05:26 AM
The real question is how much more time and effort do you want to put into it. Seems to me, after looking at the patterns, you could work all year on it. The pattern that appeals to me is the one that is 84 by 84. You would make the center and add borders as wide as you need. The center design would be fun to create or follow the design as shown. I love the idea of making it exactly like you want it.
Posted by: Betty | February 03, 2022 at 05:38 AM
Congrats on the "Sewcialites" quilt. There is a lot of work in that quilt, but it is beautiful. I can hear your creative gears turning with your mystery quilt, can't wait to see what you come up with. I love the soft colors of that quilt.
Posted by: KimS | February 03, 2022 at 06:06 AM
I might try to increase the width of the sashing, especially the middle 2 rows.
Posted by: Barbara Groeschell | February 03, 2022 at 06:06 AM
Your Sewcialites finish was well worth the color re-do! I'd add another row on the mystery quilt & an extra border to give you length on the sides. Mattresses seem to be deeper nowadays, so that's going to be a consideration. I've always liked that fabric line & it doesn't disappoint!
Posted by: Jan | February 03, 2022 at 07:58 AM
I have this dilemma all the time. I usually don't have enough fabric to enlarge it but I constantly wonder why designers don't plan for enough quilt to cover the mattress. Or why don't I figure it out when I'm buying the fabric and make sure I have enough to make it bigger! I have too many quilts that are just not quite big enough. I would probably make more blocks and make it wider, I'm on the fence with the stems, they are cute but they seem odd, maybe its the irregular layout. I think you can do better using your own judgment. Good luck, you are a beautiful quilter!
Posted by: Beth | February 03, 2022 at 08:06 AM
I would actually make a simple pieced center, (maybe 9 patches set with sashing and cornerstones to mimic a garden trellis), and use the blocks, with stems, as the borders, placed so that they look like they are growing out of the direction of the floor when they hang over the bed on the bottom and sides. Green outside border as the grass they are planted in.
Posted by: Sandie Mackintosh | February 03, 2022 at 12:19 PM