I think I'm giving up -- and that goes against my grain! The photo on the left is a project I started 2 years ago and I managed to get 8 of these made with various beautiful Asian prints. But I've lost steam and can't even seem to be able to get myself focused to finish one more so I could at least use them in a 3 X 3 layout.
It's all paper piecing and intended to use up my leftover Asian fabrics. It is based on an incredible quilt that was made by a Japanese quilter from old sari fabric and called "fireworks". And it was aptly named if you've ever seen it -- it was beautiful and huge. I would love to see it in person because I suspect it really glows. I think the crux of the problem is that I don't really like paper piecing and maybe this is too much of the same thing over and over -- even though the fabrics were beautiful. I contrast that with the New York Beauty which is more intricate piecing but every element was different fabric and challenging. I'm sure it's not the fabrics -- I love both types. And it's not the process because I feel the same about it when I'm doing it.
So -- what is it? Monotony? Goodness knows that I've gotten bored with piecing a quilt where it was the same block (and even fabric) over and over. But I usually persevere. Not this time. I've waited over a year for my "clean up" mode to kick in and re-motivate me to finish leftover projects. Hasn't happened with this one.
I'm curious -- what do you do when you lose your mojo for a project? I really do love these fabrics and I think it has the opportunity to be a striking quilt (wallhanging? 8 small pillows?). I've kept the fabric in its own tote since I want to make sure to preserve the black I'm using so that I don't have a shade shift if I end up having to use a different black. It's obvious, I haven't had the heart to mainstream the fabrics back into my stash which tells me I still have a little attachment to it. But somehow, I'm not feeling it (of course, that's good since it's in storage with all our furniture somewhere!). Any suggestions?On a personal note, we close on a house today and leave for vacation tomorrow. Timing is everything and this is a bit crazy.
Aloha! Jan
Hi Jan,
ReplyDeleteI really like the fabrics and the way you've put them together! I'm a big fan of Jap prints myself, and have done some 'artistic' lol variations of the log cabin with them on large cushons - that took forever and yours is more intricate. (I still have some unfinished in a box too lol)
With yours is there a way that you can look at the actual design of the quilt and rejig that in a way that gives you variety and inspiration? Maybe instead of full stars you could do half and stagger them by a half square? lol but I'm not sure if that would help with the numbers unless I did the Math. Anyway it looks way to delicate and beautiful to go to waste so you will just have to wait till you get the mojo back
best
Katie