My sewing room is beginning to look like a Fig Tree workshop. The design walls are full of Figgy goodness at the moment. I have been plodding along with my Dresden Plate project, which at this point is all handwork. I pick up the blocks and hand applique the plates in place when I get a chance, and can see the light at the end of the tunnel.
There will be a total of 12 blocks, and I have 7 fully completed, 2 waiting for the center circle and 3 not done at all. After that, it is lattices and borders and finito. My intention is to complete it this summer. Each time my husband passes by the sewing room he comments on how much he likes this quilt. The fabrics are all Fig Tree scraps from my stash. I think that red just makes things sing.
Next is Canned Pears, on the large design wall. For the most part, I like it, and the blocks were fun to construct, although I had a measurement error that caused me some grief. I don't know if the pattern is wrong or if I misread something, but the upper pear unit is about 1/4 inch off. I fixed it by taking larger seams, but still, it annoys me. If you make this pattern, I recommend you do a test block first and see if that top unit is a scosh too big for you too. More than likely, this problem was operator error (ie my fault).
Also, this fabric line, Mirabelle, although pretty, is a tad pastel for me. The quilt will have a checkerboard border when finished, which I think will pull things together. In addition, I believe this is a quilt that will really come to life when it is quilted. That is a lot of qualifications isn't it? I guess this project is leaving me feeling a bit "meh" at the moment. Hopefully if I put in a bit more work on it, I will feel the love again.
I know I am not the only one who gets way into a project and begins to question whether or not they really like where it is going. My friend Thelma does that all the time, and has been known to completely take apart a project and remake it with different block placement, or even different fabric. She never gives up. Does that happen to you? When you have mid-project doubts, do you persevere, or just pack it all up and put it in a drawer?
45 responses to “Fig Tree Projects”
I’m definitely in the latter category given the number of UFOs I have. Canned Pears in on my “maybe” list. I think I’d like it as a kitchen wall hanging but the blocks in the full size version are too big and those in the mini version are too small for the space where I’d hang it. So I’ve put it off, figuring I will have to either re-draft the block size or make extra mini blcoks for a bigger quilt. Or, I could just do something else entirely, LOL!
I’m definitely in the latter category given the number of UFOs I have. Canned Pears in on my “maybe” list. I think I’d like it as a kitchen wall hanging but the blocks in the full size version are too big and those in the mini version are too small for the space where I’d hang it. So I’ve put it off, figuring I will have to either re-draft the block size or make extra mini blcoks for a bigger quilt. Or, I could just do something else entirely, LOL!
I’m definitely in the latter category given the number of UFOs I have. Canned Pears in on my “maybe” list. I think I’d like it as a kitchen wall hanging but the blocks in the full size version are too big and those in the mini version are too small for the space where I’d hang it. So I’ve put it off, figuring I will have to either re-draft the block size or make extra mini blcoks for a bigger quilt. Or, I could just do something else entirely, LOL!
It’s my belief that every project goes through and AWKWARD phase–that point where you wonder if you’ll like it, where you debate on changing, taking it apart, putting it away or actually dropping it in the rubbish bin. I do often take apart and change things up, but I try really hard not to put it away or bin it. I try to persevere through the awkward phase. I know that in the end, if I don’t like it I probably know someone who will! right now I’m fighting with a 3 year old UFO with paper pieced blocks that don’t seem to be all the same size. Discovered it just as I ran out of time yesterday. My mission today is to figure out why the blocks vary in size and see if there is any way to save the project. And I’m wondering if it will mean making a whole bunch of new blocks……. And here I was thinking it would be a quick afternoon’s work to add sashing and borders and finish this up! Ohh well!! =)
It’s my belief that every project goes through and AWKWARD phase–that point where you wonder if you’ll like it, where you debate on changing, taking it apart, putting it away or actually dropping it in the rubbish bin. I do often take apart and change things up, but I try really hard not to put it away or bin it. I try to persevere through the awkward phase. I know that in the end, if I don’t like it I probably know someone who will! right now I’m fighting with a 3 year old UFO with paper pieced blocks that don’t seem to be all the same size. Discovered it just as I ran out of time yesterday. My mission today is to figure out why the blocks vary in size and see if there is any way to save the project. And I’m wondering if it will mean making a whole bunch of new blocks……. And here I was thinking it would be a quick afternoon’s work to add sashing and borders and finish this up! Ohh well!! =)
It’s my belief that every project goes through and AWKWARD phase–that point where you wonder if you’ll like it, where you debate on changing, taking it apart, putting it away or actually dropping it in the rubbish bin. I do often take apart and change things up, but I try really hard not to put it away or bin it. I try to persevere through the awkward phase. I know that in the end, if I don’t like it I probably know someone who will! right now I’m fighting with a 3 year old UFO with paper pieced blocks that don’t seem to be all the same size. Discovered it just as I ran out of time yesterday. My mission today is to figure out why the blocks vary in size and see if there is any way to save the project. And I’m wondering if it will mean making a whole bunch of new blocks……. And here I was thinking it would be a quick afternoon’s work to add sashing and borders and finish this up! Ohh well!! =)
Well done on your diligence in working on your cheery Dresden Plate blocks when time permits!
Love your Canned Pears, too. If I ever make it, I’ll call mine Pear Honey as that is a delicious type cooked jam that AMIL and I have made together many times.
Ah, my UFOs are mostly due to my flitting from one project to the next whether drawn by fabrics, colors, or patterns. I’ve finished the fun part of a project (usually the quilt center) and abandon it before putting on borders and finishing it. Last night I fished out a wee Bear Paw and today will cut and sew it’s two borders. Without borders, this 4 block with sashing center measures 20″ and the bear “claws” are 1″ HSTs. Methinks this project was done to this point and tucked away about 15 years ago. How embarrassing!
Hugs!
Well done on your diligence in working on your cheery Dresden Plate blocks when time permits!
Love your Canned Pears, too. If I ever make it, I’ll call mine Pear Honey as that is a delicious type cooked jam that AMIL and I have made together many times.
Ah, my UFOs are mostly due to my flitting from one project to the next whether drawn by fabrics, colors, or patterns. I’ve finished the fun part of a project (usually the quilt center) and abandon it before putting on borders and finishing it. Last night I fished out a wee Bear Paw and today will cut and sew it’s two borders. Without borders, this 4 block with sashing center measures 20″ and the bear “claws” are 1″ HSTs. Methinks this project was done to this point and tucked away about 15 years ago. How embarrassing!
Hugs!
Well done on your diligence in working on your cheery Dresden Plate blocks when time permits!
Love your Canned Pears, too. If I ever make it, I’ll call mine Pear Honey as that is a delicious type cooked jam that AMIL and I have made together many times.
Ah, my UFOs are mostly due to my flitting from one project to the next whether drawn by fabrics, colors, or patterns. I’ve finished the fun part of a project (usually the quilt center) and abandon it before putting on borders and finishing it. Last night I fished out a wee Bear Paw and today will cut and sew it’s two borders. Without borders, this 4 block with sashing center measures 20″ and the bear “claws” are 1″ HSTs. Methinks this project was done to this point and tucked away about 15 years ago. How embarrassing!
Hugs!
If it is a large project, I do have a tendency to get overwhelmed about halfway through and start to doubt myself. When this happens, I put it away, and make a small doll quilt. With something accomplished, I can then go back to the project with a fresh view.
If it is a large project, I do have a tendency to get overwhelmed about halfway through and start to doubt myself. When this happens, I put it away, and make a small doll quilt. With something accomplished, I can then go back to the project with a fresh view.
If it is a large project, I do have a tendency to get overwhelmed about halfway through and start to doubt myself. When this happens, I put it away, and make a small doll quilt. With something accomplished, I can then go back to the project with a fresh view.
I tend to finish everything but not in a timely manner. Even if I don’t really like a project I have found that someone will and better they should have it than it languish in a UFO pile forever. Besides, I LOVE the sense of accomplishment when a project is FINISHED!
I tend to finish everything but not in a timely manner. Even if I don’t really like a project I have found that someone will and better they should have it than it languish in a UFO pile forever. Besides, I LOVE the sense of accomplishment when a project is FINISHED!
I tend to finish everything but not in a timely manner. Even if I don’t really like a project I have found that someone will and better they should have it than it languish in a UFO pile forever. Besides, I LOVE the sense of accomplishment when a project is FINISHED!
I think you could add some more vibrant Fig Tree selections into your borders/sashing on the Pear quilt and really fall for it again. It looks great and the low volume (pastel) makes it seem even more of a comfort type blankie for snuggling in the summer. Wish I could come over and play!!
I think you could add some more vibrant Fig Tree selections into your borders/sashing on the Pear quilt and really fall for it again. It looks great and the low volume (pastel) makes it seem even more of a comfort type blankie for snuggling in the summer. Wish I could come over and play!!
I think you could add some more vibrant Fig Tree selections into your borders/sashing on the Pear quilt and really fall for it again. It looks great and the low volume (pastel) makes it seem even more of a comfort type blankie for snuggling in the summer. Wish I could come over and play!!
oh, yeah. it definitely happens to me. sometimes i just keep going and othertimes i put it aside and start all over with new fabric choices. sometimes, you just have to get into the project before you know what needs to be changed.
i love fig tree but her patterns are poorly written. really, the best pattern directions are found in It’s Sew Emma from FQS. ;p
oh, yeah. it definitely happens to me. sometimes i just keep going and othertimes i put it aside and start all over with new fabric choices. sometimes, you just have to get into the project before you know what needs to be changed.
i love fig tree but her patterns are poorly written. really, the best pattern directions are found in It’s Sew Emma from FQS. ;p
oh, yeah. it definitely happens to me. sometimes i just keep going and othertimes i put it aside and start all over with new fabric choices. sometimes, you just have to get into the project before you know what needs to be changed.
i love fig tree but her patterns are poorly written. really, the best pattern directions are found in It’s Sew Emma from FQS. ;p
I think we could swap fabric and be perfectly content with what the other has! I love the dresdens because they have some “umph” to them. Fig Tree pears aren’t my thing. Beautiful fabric but just doesn’t do anything for me. I’ve got a pastel quilt to finish up right now that I wonder what the heck I was thinking when I bought the fabric…definitely not my usual stuff! Give me some red please!
I think we could swap fabric and be perfectly content with what the other has! I love the dresdens because they have some “umph” to them. Fig Tree pears aren’t my thing. Beautiful fabric but just doesn’t do anything for me. I’ve got a pastel quilt to finish up right now that I wonder what the heck I was thinking when I bought the fabric…definitely not my usual stuff! Give me some red please!
I think we could swap fabric and be perfectly content with what the other has! I love the dresdens because they have some “umph” to them. Fig Tree pears aren’t my thing. Beautiful fabric but just doesn’t do anything for me. I’ve got a pastel quilt to finish up right now that I wonder what the heck I was thinking when I bought the fabric…definitely not my usual stuff! Give me some red please!
When that happens, time to make a wall hanging or table runner out of what I’ve already done and go onto another project!
When that happens, time to make a wall hanging or table runner out of what I’ve already done and go onto another project!
When that happens, time to make a wall hanging or table runner out of what I’ve already done and go onto another project!
I look at quilting and reading these days the same way: I don’t have enough time to do either, so I don’t like to spend what little time I do have reading or quilting something I don’t like.
I look at quilting and reading these days the same way: I don’t have enough time to do either, so I don’t like to spend what little time I do have reading or quilting something I don’t like.
I look at quilting and reading these days the same way: I don’t have enough time to do either, so I don’t like to spend what little time I do have reading or quilting something I don’t like.
Nicole, most of my quilts are alter half way through and look so different at the end. I like your colours, not my usually colour palette. Do you have a birthday coming very soon ?? Enjoy.
Nicole, most of my quilts are alter half way through and look so different at the end. I like your colours, not my usually colour palette. Do you have a birthday coming very soon ?? Enjoy.
Nicole, most of my quilts are alter half way through and look so different at the end. I like your colours, not my usually colour palette. Do you have a birthday coming very soon ?? Enjoy.
After I make something that I had problems with, I have a hard time liking it and put it away. But, when I pull it out after 6 months or a year, I discover that I really like it after all. Time in this case is my friend.
Karen L.
After I make something that I had problems with, I have a hard time liking it and put it away. But, when I pull it out after 6 months or a year, I discover that I really like it after all. Time in this case is my friend.
Karen L.
After I make something that I had problems with, I have a hard time liking it and put it away. But, when I pull it out after 6 months or a year, I discover that I really like it after all. Time in this case is my friend.
Karen L.
I love all things Fig Tree and your quilts are going to be beautiful. I have some Fig Tree projects in my future and I am curious what background fabric you are using.
I love all things Fig Tree and your quilts are going to be beautiful. I have some Fig Tree projects in my future and I am curious what background fabric you are using.
I love all things Fig Tree and your quilts are going to be beautiful. I have some Fig Tree projects in my future and I am curious what background fabric you are using.
I thought some of the fabrics were too pastel too, but now they’re growing on me. I think when you’re done you’ll love it…I do 🙂
I thought some of the fabrics were too pastel too, but now they’re growing on me. I think when you’re done you’ll love it…I do 🙂
I thought some of the fabrics were too pastel too, but now they’re growing on me. I think when you’re done you’ll love it…I do 🙂
Love your Fig Tree projects. I like both projects and I know what you mean my ‘meh’. I feel that way about every project I do until I get it quilted then I get the ‘ah ha’ moment, which the term “quilting makes the quilt” comes to mind. Looking forward to seeing everything all quilted up.
Love your Fig Tree projects. I like both projects and I know what you mean my ‘meh’. I feel that way about every project I do until I get it quilted then I get the ‘ah ha’ moment, which the term “quilting makes the quilt” comes to mind. Looking forward to seeing everything all quilted up.
Love your Fig Tree projects. I like both projects and I know what you mean my ‘meh’. I feel that way about every project I do until I get it quilted then I get the ‘ah ha’ moment, which the term “quilting makes the quilt” comes to mind. Looking forward to seeing everything all quilted up.