Friday, November 8, 2013

What to do? What to do?

There is no way this picture does these fabrics justice!  I love these.  I have been hoarding these and decided that 2013 was the year to get them out and just "do something" with them.
They are Cherrywoods and are incredibly unique.  They really do look like suede -- they are hand-dyed -- and each piece is unique.  These come from "Grab Bags for Crazies" that I've picked up in Houston and Chicago and they are end pieces.  So -- as you can see, there are various sizes and I want to maximize every little inch of them.  Yardage is not cheap and a grab bag is a great way to get a lot of scraps that are big enough to do something with.

I've sorted them by shade just to see what I had.  Not many greens.  Not many yellows.  Not many red/oranges.  Lots of brown/rust.  Lots of blue.  Lots of purple.  I'm okay with all that.  But -- what to do?  What to do?  With a goal of using almost every scrap from irregular size pieces, it's hard to decide on what pattern.  I knew I didn't want to do a lot of piecing since that puts way too much of this gorgeous fabric in the seam allowance.  That can work with some scraps -- but not with Cherrywoods!

I started with this -- which is okay but a little boring and only allowed one block per piece of fabric with some left over.  Block was about 7.5".
So, to help with the "boring" part, I did this.  At first I liked it -- then I didn't.  So this is not it.
I think I have decided what I'm going to do and have started cutting 5.5" squares for the first step. But, after cutting several squares 5" (instead of 5.5") -- I decided to keep them on the design wall and regroup!  Seriously!  I love these fabrics and then I keep making boo-boos that can't be fixed.  What on earth!  Time to step back and just enjoy them.

So -- while that was frustrating, I did do some string piecing to get a tote of bright strings emptied.  Aren't these fun?
I hope you are inspired. I hope you are doing something fun.  I hope you are cutting your precious fabric accurately!

Jan

17 comments:

Janis Cox said...

Hi,
Following you from Bowdabra. I am making TAdeo Turtles (stuffed) to go with my book Tadeo Turtle - for a craft fair.
Blessings,
Janis Cox www.janiscox.com

Harvest Moon by Hand said...

The colors of the squares look beautiful - such a wide array of shades. It's always fun to start a new project, isn't it?

Anonymous said...

I know the feeling of feeling like you goofed on favorite fabrics. However, quilting is all about improvising and I am sure you will come up with something fantastic!

Connie Kresin Campbell said...

I can't wait to see what you do with that beautiful fabric and yes....I have cut wrong before but you know what...I just create a new project! Have fun with all the strings too! Thanks for sharing.
Freemotion by the River Linky Party Tuesday

Catherine said...

You are not the only one who does that:-) Maybe something improv is the way to go! Whatever, those fabrics are going to make it very pretty.

Sara said...

Oh I hope all your piecing works out great and you can enjoy these pretty hand dyed fabrics!

Plum Cox said...

Great looking fabrics and I can understand why you don't want to cut them about too much! Hope that you hit on a plan that you are happy with soon!

Jayne said...

The colors are gorgeous! I love hand dyed fabric-using it and dyeing it! I have some that I cannot bring myself to cut...yet!

Pinkadot Quilts said...

I love all those yummy colors!

Vera said...

Pretty colors. I'm about to attempt sort of jelly roll quilt to use all the fabrics I got left from a quilt top.

audrey said...

You aren't kidding! Those fabrics aren't cheap! But they look so pretty, and I'm sure you'll figure out the perfect plan. :)

Quilter Kathy said...

I love the Cherrywood fabrics too and made blocks from 2 of their crazy scrap bags. It was really fun... made triple four patches, but haven't finished it yet because I can't decide on the layout, and because I need more fabric for the borders.

Shanna said...

Oh you are so suspenseful! Oh and such a tease, lol. Very well done of you!

Lana said...

That string blocks photo would be a great art piece in any studio!
and yes! I am inspired!
p.s. if you want to see that photo as a print...I would be your first customer!

Adorned From Above said...

Great colors. Thank you so much for sharing with Wednesday's Adorned From Above Link Party.
Debi and Charly @ Adorned From Above
http://www.adornedfromabove.com

LA Paylor said...

I feel your pain sister!I am like that with precious fabric. I love piecing but hate losing fabric to seam allowances. I like using odd sizes that scraps give too. You know, just make something. Don't wait for the perfect pattern or you'll keep dithering and it's the sewing with color you love. You'll have something with these anyway, and then can use it and see the quilting line which will be exciting too. I'll check back with you when you commit.
LeeAnna Paylor
lapaylor.blogspot.com
leeannaquilts@gmail.com

Ben said...

I think they have those scrap piles of different sizes to drive people crazy. I just put together my first blanket. denim quilt
Maybe you could cut all the widths the same then sew them into long strips then combine?