Piece and Quilt Progress and a Remake

I'm having fun trying to get caught up in the Piece and Quilt sew-along, based on the Celebrate with Quilts book by Susan Ache and Lissa Alexander. The gigantic block near the center is actually the same four blocks arranged together to form a star/flower design. It is quite bold, so I have to make sure I make more with that same intensity to balance it out. Or I could remake it...Do you think it would fit in better if the center floral print had a lighter background?

I think I might like this better with the light grey background. I'll have to get out my seam ripper and make the change.

So, speaking of remaking blocks:

A remake is just what I did with block 5 in the Summer in the Country sew-along. Remember that was the one with the templates? I thought my printer was off and my templates weren't the right size, causing the block to be too big. I checked and the printed shapes of the templates were just what they should have been. You may recall that my first attempt at this block was a full 3/4" larger than it was supposed to be. Perfect, but not the right size. Ugh.

So, this is what I did. I cut down the templates just a skosh. I trimmed off just inside the tracing line my Sharpie made. It didn't seem like was taking much off, but it must have been what I needed. My second block (shown above) came out exactly 12 1/2"! Isn't it amazing that the tracing line (which of course was just outside the actual shape of the template) was enough to throw off the whole size of the block? I need to remember this for the future if I am working with homemade templates.

You can see the size difference in the photo above. Crazy. I had just enough of that ladybug fabric for the second block! It was close.

Looking at my design walls you would think I only make red white and blue quilts. Good grief, I've been having a moment.

In other news, Sara and I have a new podcast up with our latest book reviews. Give us a listen by clicking the "Reeding Between the Lines" link on the right. Or you can watch us on YouTube!

Comments

[Lynn C. (NJ)]

The giant block colors are very bold. I think I might take the block back apart into 4 pieces and put one in each corner of the quilt. Just a thought.

[Joy]

I love your 'gigantic' star/flower blocks. Some boldness is like a focus fabric and you may come up with another bold block. The colors & block designs are beautiful!

[Sandra]

I do like the block with the center changed to the floral with the light gray background, a little more contrast and it’s a little more light and bright. All of your blocks are beautiful. The template block is perfect!
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[CarolE]

My thought would be to swap out the bold red with the lighter floral print and put the red in the middle. It is a lovely block and you could do another bold block somewhere else.

[Jan]

You've used enough of the red in other places that I think that block looks fine, in my opinion. But, if it's going to bother you then by all means change it. Otherwise you tempt the UFO spirits & you don't want to do that! 😳 I'll tune into your podcast for the latest edition while I'm sewing this afternoon.

[Nancy Alderman]

I definitely like the light background for the flower center much better. It really makes the block pop! Oh, and nice job on your re-make. That’s one block I’ve decided to skip. I’m currently trying to get Hay Baler finished but it’s giving me much grief 🙄

[Jeanie]

I think a lighter red would help to tone it down a bit. I'm really liking these blocks.

[Ina]

I like the lighter color for the center. It makes the block shine more.

I can not believe a little tweaking was all it took to get that other block the right size. That would just make me mad. Of course, everything makes me mad. Now you have TWO blocks to piece into the backing of this wonderful quilt. ;p

[Vickie]

I agree, lighter center shows the block much better. The darker center makes the block muddy looking, in my opinion.