Ok, let me just put it out there that if you are making the Blogger Girls BoM, you cannot nod off while you are sewing. The project is not terribly complicated, but you do need to remain alert. No mind wandering during this construction process.
So here is what I did that caused me to do some unsewing.
If you are making a twelve block quilt, you will construct TWO blocks out of each month's pattern, since there are only six main quilt block patterns featured in the quilt. The fun of this, and indeed the entire POINT of this, is to change up the color placement in your second block so that it looks completely different from the first one. That way when you finish all your blocks, it will be hard to spot any duplicates. If that is what you want to do. (If you want your two blocks the same, it's ok. I think I like them to be different).
Here are my first two Blocks Number One:
Umm. Very nice, but aren't they exactly the same? Why yes, they are.
Sound of crickets chirping.
So, I got out my seam ripper and attacked my second block, removing the green squares that abut the purple corner star points and replacing them with purple. Here are the two blocks now:
Now they definitely look more different.
So what advice can I give you about making your blocks look as dissimilar from one another as possible?
Perhaps you are a creative genius and have a million abstract ideas floating in your mind, which you can visualize perfectly. Lucky. Or, you might, as I do, flounder around a bit trying to get a grasp on how to make your second block dissimilar to the first version. It doesn't come naturally to everyone. Especially if you are used to carefully following a pattern's instructions.
Yes, I am getting to my point. You will need to check out what other people have done. You will get so many ideas on how to switch things up! So how can you do that, when you are slogging along all alone in your sewing room? News Flash! You are not alone in this project! Thelma has created a Flickr group, which you can view and hopefully join. Anyone who joins the group can post photos of their quilt blocks. Infinite variety, infinite ideas you can steal copy utilize. As I write this, already there are 20 members.
So go check it out and see what other people are doing! This is so much fun.
26 responses to “And a Full Lint Roller Later…”
Applause for the wonderful solution you found to make your two great blocks look very different from each other!!
I also appreciate your openness in telling us you didn’t get it exactly right the first time. The best part is that you re-worked your block until it was right instead of tossing it aside or throwing it away and beginning again.
Have never joined Flickr, so will give that some thought.
As I clicked to reply here, I just glimpsed a post from yesterday so will go back and see what I missed.
Hugs!
Applause for the wonderful solution you found to make your two great blocks look very different from each other!!
I also appreciate your openness in telling us you didn’t get it exactly right the first time. The best part is that you re-worked your block until it was right instead of tossing it aside or throwing it away and beginning again.
Have never joined Flickr, so will give that some thought.
As I clicked to reply here, I just glimpsed a post from yesterday so will go back and see what I missed.
Hugs!
There are crickets in my sewing room, too….
There are crickets in my sewing room, too….
Hehe, I had noticed your blocks were the same but with different colour placement in your earlier post. I thought it was deliberate! I like your remake. Have you seen Sherri’s blocks? Hers are so different I had to look twice to check that they were the same block!
Hehe, I had noticed your blocks were the same but with different colour placement in your earlier post. I thought it was deliberate! I like your remake. Have you seen Sherri’s blocks? Hers are so different I had to look twice to check that they were the same block!
lol, if it were me? i wouldn’t unsew. i would have made another block and used the one that was too similar for the backing or throw it into my orphan box. yes, i have an orphan box of unused blocks. someday, they will be used…you know, long after i’m dead. ;p
i love your colors! ;p
lol, if it were me? i wouldn’t unsew. i would have made another block and used the one that was too similar for the backing or throw it into my orphan box. yes, i have an orphan box of unused blocks. someday, they will be used…you know, long after i’m dead. ;p
i love your colors! ;p
You are too funny! I get crickets chirping when I ask for volunteers to clean the house 🙂 Totally love what you did to switch up your second block, it’s completely different than the other version I saw. I’m a great copier, so flickr is definitely my friend 🙂
You are too funny! I get crickets chirping when I ask for volunteers to clean the house 🙂 Totally love what you did to switch up your second block, it’s completely different than the other version I saw. I’m a great copier, so flickr is definitely my friend 🙂
I don’t care what you say…all three are gorgeous!! Oh, and I kept looking at the first two wondering what I was missing. …duh…if you hadn’t pointed it out…chirp, chirp, chirp…
I don’t care what you say…all three are gorgeous!! Oh, and I kept looking at the first two wondering what I was missing. …duh…if you hadn’t pointed it out…chirp, chirp, chirp…
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and process on these blocks. I hope to give them a whirl later and any and all tips are welcome. The second block sure does look differnt now!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and process on these blocks. I hope to give them a whirl later and any and all tips are welcome. The second block sure does look differnt now!
I had noticed yesterday that they looked similar, but only after checking out how some of the others did theirs. I LOVE your redo and even more the fact that you did a blog about it and how it is ok to be inspired by others. Can’t wait to see more!!
I had noticed yesterday that they looked similar, but only after checking out how some of the others did theirs. I LOVE your redo and even more the fact that you did a blog about it and how it is ok to be inspired by others. Can’t wait to see more!!
One little change made a big difference in your blocks! Nice! I just started a new quilt, Country Threads, Best of All. All of the blocks are the same star pattern but different fabrics. I will keep this in mind when trying to change things up! Thanks for your post!
One little change made a big difference in your blocks! Nice! I just started a new quilt, Country Threads, Best of All. All of the blocks are the same star pattern but different fabrics. I will keep this in mind when trying to change things up! Thanks for your post!
Wow, your attack strategy worked great! Hope you feel great about it–the blocks are lovely.
Wow, your attack strategy worked great! Hope you feel great about it–the blocks are lovely.
Beautiful blocks and terrific fabric choices Nicole- you do have such a wonderful eye for what works together. This will be another stunning quilt. Thanks for sharing your challenges and suggesting a solution or two-
Happy New Year to you and yours,
Warmest regards,
Anna
Beautiful blocks and terrific fabric choices Nicole- you do have such a wonderful eye for what works together. This will be another stunning quilt. Thanks for sharing your challenges and suggesting a solution or two-
Happy New Year to you and yours,
Warmest regards,
Anna
OOOOH NOW I GET IT…. took me a bit but you just gave me an aha moment! Thanks! :O)
OOOOH NOW I GET IT…. took me a bit but you just gave me an aha moment! Thanks! :O)
Ok – you convinced me to jump on board. I’m trying to decide between two collections though… Judie Rothermel’s Strawberry, Blueberries and Chocolate or French General’s Le Belle Fleur. Decisions, decisions!
Ok – you convinced me to jump on board. I’m trying to decide between two collections though… Judie Rothermel’s Strawberry, Blueberries and Chocolate or French General’s Le Belle Fleur. Decisions, decisions!