Sunday, November 13, 2005

Shells

This is a quilt I finished last year, tho it had been in progress for a long time. I started off with a batik print of shells, cutting around just the ones that I liked the color of (surprise), ending up with different sizes of rectangles. My strips were of different widths. I sorta added them on log cabin style, but not really. First I added logs to the center until it reached a certain width (or height) and then added logs on the other sides to get it the finished block size. Sewed the blocks into vertical rows.

Some things I LOVE about this quilt: the colors shine and I love all the fabrics.

What I don't like about the quilt: the border. I was trying to finish it off kinda reminiscent of the block itself. Didn't have enough of either fish batik to go all the way around. Now I wish I hadn't done it like this. Think it's the top border that doesn't work. But I sooooo love the purple fishies. Maybe I could just whack off that top border and rebind it...

Here's a quilting detail. I used 8 perle cotton and quilted freehand fans going around and around the quilt in the spiral fan. This is where they all bash together in the middle:


I actually started this quilt for my Mom, who is a fiend for shells and likes these colors. But then I got it done and couldn't quite part with it. Who knows, maybe it'll make it's way to Colorado for "storage" when we're ready for the next move.

Now I really gotta stop playing - I'm supposed to be doing insurance paperwork. yick.

6 comments:

Finn said...

Love your shells, Tonya. It's satifying to see you work in your "colors". Knowing that you will make the exception as you see fit.., i.e. your halloween quilts and things collection..*G*

I like how it evolved from the individual shells to the log cabin look.
Normally I'd never agree with taking off the border once the quilt was done...but actually, I think you are RIGHT about this one. I love the fishies. Great quilt either way..*S*

Tonya Ricucci said...

take off the whole border or just the top? Or just the bottom? Or just the top and the bottom... Figure it's better to change it than always look at it and go eeeuw.

Quiltgranny said...

How about taking some of the pink and/or the blue that makes this quilt shine and applique a threadie/beadie fish ala Lucky Shie onto the border/s? That way it would pull some of those colors out onto the darker pieces and tie it all together?

Quilts And Pieces said...

I love the shells - and of course I noticed it was your colors right off! How in the world do you find so much fabric in those colors!!! :)

I don't know, the border doesn't seem to bother me - but maybe that is because I don't have a preconcieved notion of what it should look like????.....

Darcie said...

I'll love your quilt no matter what your borders are, Tonya!!! It just goes "BAM!" And I need BAM!

Darcie

Tonya Ricucci said...

Thank you all for the compliments and suggestions. I'm going to do some more pondering on it - haven't gotten out the rotary cutter yet...