I had such a great time participating in the OP Sew Along that Pat Sloan hosted this weekend! My version of orange was a bit toned down I suppose, but it worked for me. While I was working on the challenge quilt, a little bell tinkled in the back of my mind. I vaguely recalled that I had started a quilt about three years ago, and for some reason, didn't finish it and just put it up on a shelf in the stash closet. The fabric I had used was Nell's Flower Shop, and had a lovely soft orange shade in it along with some aquas and greens, just like the fabric I was using for the OP Challenge!
I got out the step stool and had a look. What I found was the entire quilt top, minus the borders. Why on earth had I put the quilt away when it was so close to being finished? The border fabric was right there with the quilt top so I got to work and got the thing finished yesterday.
The nice thing is how well it matches the OP Challenge quilt! Once I get both of them quilted, I will have a very nice Fall look for my master bedroom! I can have the big quilt on the bed and the smaller one on my chaise lounge in my little reading nook.
Then I remembered why I set the larger quilt aside in frustration. I had fussy cut the center square of each block so that the little birdy motif was set off just perfectly. What's wrong with that you ask? This is what went wrong:
Once the blocks were set together, every single little birdy is oriented sideways. He looks like he is taking a major nose dive off of his branch. Oh well. For some reason, it doesn't bother me so much now. I have never cared for the expression "better done than perfect", but it seems to fit this situation.
Let me tell you about the pattern. It is an oldie from Miss Rosie's Quilt Collection, called Wild Irish Rose.
This is what Carrie's finished quilt looked like:
I got the notion to use dark brown wherever she used white. I have to say the design of the squares shows up much better in her version. Mine is a bit odd looking by comparison, with the brown standing out too much in my opinion. You have to experiment now and then I think, and sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. I still think this one is a keeper, and I am so glad it reappeared!
28 responses to “You Just Never Know What is in the Closet”
I love it! And we all know little birds fly in all directions…right?
I love it! And we all know little birds fly in all directions…right?
Definitely a keeper! Who says your quilt needs to look like the one the designer made anyways? I like the dark brown. And the little birds- I never would have thought anything of their orientation in the block. It all looks great to me. Wish I had accomplished as much as you did this weekend.
Definitely a keeper! Who says your quilt needs to look like the one the designer made anyways? I like the dark brown. And the little birds- I never would have thought anything of their orientation in the block. It all looks great to me. Wish I had accomplished as much as you did this weekend.
The old/new quilt top looks smashing Mom! Love the dark brown in place of white.
The old/new quilt top looks smashing Mom! Love the dark brown in place of white.
You’ve been quilting up a storm recently. I especially like your OP quilt. The quilt in my blog banner also used the Wild Irish Rose pattern. Different color combinations can make a quilt look very different from the original.
You’ve been quilting up a storm recently. I especially like your OP quilt. The quilt in my blog banner also used the Wild Irish Rose pattern. Different color combinations can make a quilt look very different from the original.
Both quilts are keepers, how nice to get those borders on and have an autumn ensemble.
Both quilts are keepers, how nice to get those borders on and have an autumn ensemble.
Well, I don’t know what to say Nicole!!! Two quilts in one weekend, how great is that? Isn’t it funny what we set aside and forget about, only to have some small thing rattle around in our head and say “HEY, remember ME???” Your new found quilt is beautiful, and it coordinates so well with the OP quilt. I would love to see pictures after they are quilted.
Well, I don’t know what to say Nicole!!! Two quilts in one weekend, how great is that? Isn’t it funny what we set aside and forget about, only to have some small thing rattle around in our head and say “HEY, remember ME???” Your new found quilt is beautiful, and it coordinates so well with the OP quilt. I would love to see pictures after they are quilted.
I think its definitely a keeper! Its beautiful.
I think its definitely a keeper! Its beautiful.
What a treasure to find hiding in the closet! I love your new blog header!
What a treasure to find hiding in the closet! I love your new blog header!
The little birdies were just waiting to come out when the new “OP” was there to join them. :~) They are both beautiful! I really like the brown in place of the white. Sometimes a dark background is a nice neutral instead of always using creams and tans.
I finally finished my two color quilt from the challenge. Better late than never. Unfortunately I had some bleeding problems with the large purple star in the middle. Eep! I am going to get some Synthropol and try it. Wish me luck!
The little birdies were just waiting to come out when the new “OP” was there to join them. :~) They are both beautiful! I really like the brown in place of the white. Sometimes a dark background is a nice neutral instead of always using creams and tans.
I finally finished my two color quilt from the challenge. Better late than never. Unfortunately I had some bleeding problems with the large purple star in the middle. Eep! I am going to get some Synthropol and try it. Wish me luck!
Love the brown.
Love the brown.
I think your version is awesome! Odd… schmodd… it’s smashing and gorgeous! And I hadn’t noticed the little birds until you mentioned it, all I noticed were the flowers! I think they look fine, they look like they’re coming in for a closer look at the beautiful quilt. 🙂
Good job! I think I’ll go digging around in my closet to see what unfinished treasure I might un-earth… oh, wait… never mind. The only thing still in there is my quilting homage to Andersen’s Pea Soup in Buellton. Both the quilt ~ and my eyes ~ will be happier if that unfinished quilt stays hidden… and unfinished. 🙂
I think your version is awesome! Odd… schmodd… it’s smashing and gorgeous! And I hadn’t noticed the little birds until you mentioned it, all I noticed were the flowers! I think they look fine, they look like they’re coming in for a closer look at the beautiful quilt. 🙂
Good job! I think I’ll go digging around in my closet to see what unfinished treasure I might un-earth… oh, wait… never mind. The only thing still in there is my quilting homage to Andersen’s Pea Soup in Buellton. Both the quilt ~ and my eyes ~ will be happier if that unfinished quilt stays hidden… and unfinished. 🙂
I like your quilt and the brown is really nice. Your challenge quilt is great too and perfect on the chase lounge. I don’t like orange much and prefer the toned down orangy-rust color. Good for you getting that border on and finishing it up. I think you’ll like it a lot more after it’s quilted and you got a UFO done!
I like your quilt and the brown is really nice. Your challenge quilt is great too and perfect on the chase lounge. I don’t like orange much and prefer the toned down orangy-rust color. Good for you getting that border on and finishing it up. I think you’ll like it a lot more after it’s quilted and you got a UFO done!
You tickle me; you just happened to find this quilt. I really like your take on this pattern. Nice job. Maybe the birds were having too much wine? lol
You tickle me; you just happened to find this quilt. I really like your take on this pattern. Nice job. Maybe the birds were having too much wine? lol
I like both versions of the quilt and you now have two fall quilts to use once they are quilted! Bonus.
I like both versions of the quilt and you now have two fall quilts to use once they are quilted! Bonus.