Sister's Choice Quilts

My interests are quilting, reading, cooking, family, decorating, and matters of style. I post regular quilting tutorials and book reviews of current fiction.

This Should Be Easier

Thanks for bearing with me while I make some changes to my page banner.  I thought it was time for something more seasonal, but when I went to swap the old picture out with a new one, it turns out that I had forgotten exactly how to do it.  If I ever did know.

My idea was to go in quickly, make the change without any fanfare or discussion, and ta da, there's the new banner.  My first effort was as big as a circus tent.  Some nice reader emailed to say she "liked the quilt where my banner used to be".  Then Sara had a go at fixing it, and it turned into a wee small banner no bigger than my thumb.  Now the picture is the right size, but I can't get text on it.

With any luck and a good deal of help it will evolve into a proper looking banner today.  Hopefully.

The quilt in the new banner?  It is called Tessellations.  I don't have a pattern because it was a class project and I lost the instructions after the quilt was finsished.  But, that's ok, because never in a million years would I make this quilt again.  I love the finished quilt, but it was SO DARN DIFFICULT to make!  Each block was comprised of the fabrics in the block above, below and next to it.  Talk about having to plan ahead….  I had to make all the blocks in four pieces and spread them out on my cutting table like a jig saw puzzle.  If a breeze came through the window or a door slammed I had a nervous breakdown for fear the gazillion pieces would shift.  Thank goodness we didn't have Ozzie then, just Grandpa Jeeves, who spent all his time sleeping on my favorite chair.  I had no fear that Jeeves would jump up on my table and scatter things to the four corners of the world.  Anyway, I digress.  I don't have the pattern, but there are some books out there that illustrate Tessellation techniques.  Maybe you can find one that won't make you crazy!

30 responses to “This Should Be Easier”

  1. I have to laugh about the banner – because I know the same thing would happen to me! Just because I was able to get it done once, doesn’t mean that I’ll be able to do it a second time.
    Love the quilt! It is stunning. However, if it was that difficult for you (you are a master quilt maker compared to me), I don’t think it’s one that I’ll be making any time soon.

  2. I have to laugh about the banner – because I know the same thing would happen to me! Just because I was able to get it done once, doesn’t mean that I’ll be able to do it a second time.
    Love the quilt! It is stunning. However, if it was that difficult for you (you are a master quilt maker compared to me), I don’t think it’s one that I’ll be making any time soon.

  5. I don’t know why changing a banner should be such a challenge! I’ve been wanting to change mine too, but we had so much trouble with the banner I have now, I don’t want to chance it!
    Love the quilt, and the quilting is perfect for the colors and design. Great job, Nicole!

  6. I don’t know why changing a banner should be such a challenge! I’ve been wanting to change mine too, but we had so much trouble with the banner I have now, I don’t want to chance it!
    Love the quilt, and the quilting is perfect for the colors and design. Great job, Nicole!

  9. I agree with Coleen. After reading your description of this quilt, I, too, will just admire yours!

  10. I agree with Coleen. After reading your description of this quilt, I, too, will just admire yours!

  11. Looks like the banner is as it should be now…words and all.
    The quilt is amazing. Thanks to your explanation, I can see how one would put it together. Not something I would want to try, I think. It’s beautiful.

  12. Looks like the banner is as it should be now…words and all.
    The quilt is amazing. Thanks to your explanation, I can see how one would put it together. Not something I would want to try, I think. It’s beautiful.

  15. You are a braver soul than I…I keep toying with changing my blog so I can have a banner…but I know I’d be at it half the day trying to get it to look right.

  16. You are a braver soul than I…I keep toying with changing my blog so I can have a banner…but I know I’d be at it half the day trying to get it to look right.

  17. Your banner is gorgeous! I have a book with different types of ‘tesselations’ patterns but I’ve never made it. I first saw it on display in a favorite quilt shop nearby and I wanted so badly to make it. Maybe I’ll think again before I venture into it! ~Adrienne~

  18. Your banner is gorgeous! I have a book with different types of ‘tesselations’ patterns but I’ve never made it. I first saw it on display in a favorite quilt shop nearby and I wanted so badly to make it. Maybe I’ll think again before I venture into it! ~Adrienne~

  19. Love your new banner…I’m with you though…changing my banner scares me…getting it there the first time was hard enough…I’m afraid I’d lose it and not figure out how to get anything.

  20. Love your new banner…I’m with you though…changing my banner scares me…getting it there the first time was hard enough…I’m afraid I’d lose it and not figure out how to get anything.

  21. Love the quilt in the banner. I love it so much that I’d be crazy enough to attempt it so it’s a good thing you don’t have a book you could tell me about with this pattern in it. I have a book of tessellation quilts but have never attempted any of them and judging by what you said I should leave it at that.

  22. Love the quilt in the banner. I love it so much that I’d be crazy enough to attempt it so it’s a good thing you don’t have a book you could tell me about with this pattern in it. I have a book of tessellation quilts but have never attempted any of them and judging by what you said I should leave it at that.

  25. Your banner looks fabulous. The colors are great fall and the quilt does look complicated, but you did a great job.

  26. Your banner looks fabulous. The colors are great fall and the quilt does look complicated, but you did a great job.

  29. I keep coming back to this quilt of yours. It is SO gorgeous. I am actually thinking of trying to draft the pattern myself! Talk about crazy . . . .

  30. I keep coming back to this quilt of yours. It is SO gorgeous. I am actually thinking of trying to draft the pattern myself! Talk about crazy . . . .