I wanted a color palette that I don't use very often, and wanted to make a quilt that was simple and fun to sew. I used purple, orange, and teal in my Pop Star quilt and loved that combo so much! I thought that the fun, funky colors needed a fun, funky pattern, and decided on a quartered log cabin. Sadly, what was fun and happy in my Pop Star quilt, just feels a little too overwhelming in this one. These rich, bold colors apparently need lots of white to keep them fresh and light.
I am going to go ahead and finish this quilt, and I hope it will grow on me. The great thing about quilting though, is that even if it isn't my cup of tea, someone else is sure to love it. And, what have I really lost by playing around? Nothing. Sometimes design ideas work and sometimes they don't, and that's okay.
I can't tell you how comforting it is to know we are in the same boat! I had been looking forward to this current quilt of mine and it just is not what I pictured. I have added a border, which helped a little, but it is still a disappointment. I am going to finish mine too and hope the quilting I planned will help. You are right --- surely SOMEONE will like it!😉
ReplyDeletesometimes that happens but like you say someone will like it - I have gotten rid of several of mine like that!
ReplyDeleteI have had that happen before - but you know whats funny? I LIKE yourr color combo and like the richness of it ;-)
ReplyDeleteI'll admit this quilt doesn't seem very "you," but I think it's awesome. It sort of screams "Mardi Gras" to me.
ReplyDeleteI'll admit this quilt doesn't seem very "you," but I think it's awesome. It sort of screams "Mardi Gras" to me.
ReplyDeleteI do love your quilt! Really!! But I know how you feel. I made a quilt a couple of years ago from some fabrics I really didn't like. But I had a lot of it, and needed the practice (I was a new quilter). So I made it and dubbed it my ugly quilt, naming it my "SnUGLY" quilt. Well, I'll have you know that every person who has ever seen it in my collection of quilts I've made, all LOVE that quilt. People I would never imagine to like it at all. So there. And I really do LOVE your quilt. It's funky and bright and fun and unique and just a fabulous quilt.
ReplyDeleteI've got one that i'm hoping to grow to love too. I don't know what I was trying to achieve but I failed. I'll be using it for quilting practice I think
ReplyDeleteI love the colors together very much and think it will be great finished
ReplyDeleteOh, I think the quilt is lovely. Those bright colors and the quarter log cabin blocks are very unique.
ReplyDeleteI hear you. I feel like that about the second bee quilt I am making. I have no immediate suggestion as how to salvage the project. Going ahead as planned is definitely an option though.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your successes and things that don't turn out as planned. However, I LOVE this quilt!
ReplyDeleteI love the colour scheme. I've made several quilts that didn't turn out as I had expected. But I gave them away or donated them to our local children's hospital. Someone will find joy with them.
ReplyDeleteIt's always fascinating how you can use the same colors in a different pattern and it just doesn't come out like you think it would. With these colors, I wonder if it was the white neutral background that spaced out the colors in a way that allowed the eye somewhere to rest. That is what the different is for me on this one. But you are right, that even if it doesn't appeal to some, others will be sure to love it. It's great advice that every quilter should remember.
ReplyDeleteIt's great to experiment outside of your comfort zone, even if you don't love it. I happen to LOVE how the bold colors really make a statement in this quilt!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Tiffany, it does remind me of Mardi Gras too. It's funky, fun and cute. If the colors seem too bold for you, maybe adding a wider white colored binding would help to visually soften and frame it?
ReplyDeleteWell I love it!
ReplyDeleteIt is just wonderful! Think "Gee's Bend" Quilts! They are unique and innovative quilts! -Jean
ReplyDeleteI understand what you mean, and looking at your Pop Star quilt you used more light fabric there to balance the stronger colours. However as you say someone will be over the moon when she sees this. So, if you still don't like it when it's finished, put it up for sale, or give it away - make someone happy!
ReplyDeleteI love this quilt-the colors are outstanding-what fun-makes me smile!
ReplyDeleteSo I had to laugh at your post!! Your quilt made me stop in my tracks when I was scrolling my blog feeds. I is amazing and beautiful!So many times I just look at the pictures. But the quilt made me stop and read your post. Only to find that your not liking it. Wow ! I just think it is Stunning!!
ReplyDeleteSo I had to laugh at your post!! Your quilt made me stop in my tracks when I was scrolling my blog feeds. I is amazing and beautiful!So many times I just look at the pictures. But the quilt made me stop and read your post. Only to find that your not liking it. Wow ! I just think it is Stunning!!
ReplyDeleteI love all the bright happy colors. That said, the wider dark purple strips seem to dominate. If you love purple, that's a good thing. I like the blocks with the thinner purple polka dots and white lines best. Maybe removing some of the blocks with the wider purple would lighten it up. You could add a few blocks with more white/purple?
ReplyDeleteRose Paul's suggestion is exactly the solution that is rolling around in my head. However, the more I stared at this quilt, the more I liked it. Mardi Gras is the flavor - let;s hear it for New Orleans!
DeleteRose Paul's suggestion is exactly the solution that is rolling around in my head. However, the more I stared at this quilt, the more I liked it. Mardi Gras is the flavor - let;s hear it for New Orleans!
DeleteI think your quilt is nice. I think you imagined brighter colours. That is what I see. It also could be too "busy" for you. ?maybe a few black or white thin horizontal and vertical strips may help you to like it more.
ReplyDeleteNothing is a mistake, just a new creation, a new experience. Thank you for sharing and being honest about what you feel.
This is exactly what happened to me too! I recently got involved with the Linus Project in my county and was working on a girl's quilt. I had just bought a red batik fabric and wanted to combine it with scraps I have. Well, as it turned out, most of my scraps are green and the quilt started to look "Christmasy". Definitely not what I had in mind! So I put that quilt aside and worked on a patriotic one for a friend. In the meantime, I still had that "problem" quilt in the back of my mind. I've decided to make a few new blocks in other colors from my stash, such as blue, pink, and purple. Hopefully it will start to make the quilt look less like Christmas. I'll get back to that quilt after I finish the patriotic one. So have you thought of making a few blocks with cream or white so that the eye has a place to rest?
ReplyDeleteYou're not alone Kelly. I've struggled with combinations that just didn't work before too. Looks like most people have by the comments. I also happen to be in the camp of liking this one. It's a design I've always wanted to make.
ReplyDeletewow this is such a fun quilt. cant wait to see it finished. I agree with the white. It really helps lots.
ReplyDeleteIt is wild and crazy, but someone will love it! A solid border might tone it down.
ReplyDeleteI really like this quilt! I think a teenager would love it. I also think it's a little halloweeny with the orange and purple so perfect for the season. Can't wait to see it finished.
ReplyDeleteYes I feel for you. During the height of the shabby chic style I was making soft furnishings and quilts for shops in California. I spent a bomb on some barkcloth mode print for a lady that wanted it included in a rag quilt of all things. Well it did not turn out to make a long story short. Sympathize totally. I think this quilt is just too much, too much of everything. Sigh.......
ReplyDeleteKelly this quilt is adorable! I love the colors and the pattern. We all have that one piece that just doesn't do it for us but everyone else loves it!!!
ReplyDeleteI would put a narrow white border around it, no more than 3/4 inch then one of the purple or teals for a wider border. It should tame it down some.
ReplyDeleteKell, I think that quilt will be awesome it makes me think that must be what my thoughts look like they are always going. Enjoy reading your blog from a newbie quilter marilyn
ReplyDeleteKell, I think that quilt will be awesome it makes me think that must be what my thoughts look like they are always going. Enjoy reading your blog from a newbie quilter marilyn
ReplyDeleteI know it doesn't help to have other people say, "Oh, but I love your quilt!", when it didn't turn out the way you hoped it would. So...here's what I'll say instead: I can see why you're disappointed, since this doesn't have the bright, summery feel of Pop Star. But to me this quilt feels like autumn, and if that had been your intention, I think you would consider it a smashing success. Thanks for keeping it real.
ReplyDeleteI feel ya Kelly! There's a WIP that's been in my closet for almost 2 yrs, way too much coral solid in it. I keep seeing it lying inside a plastic bag but haven't pulled it out to take another look.
ReplyDeleteYep, been there, done that. In all honesty I haven't seen very many of the quartered log cabin blocks that I've actually liked. Who knows why. And, as you say, someone will love it -- but it may not be you. And it definitely looks like Mardi Gras!
ReplyDeleteIt's so nice to know that I'm not the only one that this happens too! Of course, I like your "didn't work" quilt, I think it does work! Hey, maybe we should all swap our "didn't work" quilts because I bet the majority of swappers would be really happy!
ReplyDeleteOh someone will definitely love that quilt! If you can't find someone who does, you can always donate it.
ReplyDeleteHi Kelly! Yes, surely we all have had that experience. But then there is always someone who loves it. I love your quilt even usually I use more white. Colours are beautiful and I think the white in few fabrics is enough. When I made bento box pattern I had hard time with colours because it looked too busy and mixed. When the quilt was finished it was good. x Teje
ReplyDeleteI am new to your blog and saw this before the other quilt in these colors. I agree with the other poster that this is more of a fall quilt, but no matter, I like this one better! I don't think these saturated colors need white at all, it just dilutes the colors. Beautiful quilt!
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