Tuesday, April 22, 2008

The Margarita Quilt

I've made progress!

I sorted through my 9-Patches and set aside those larger or a lot smaller than 3.5". Not that I was all that strict - I still had a bunch that were 1/8" short here and there. Usually what I do in this situation is cut all the blocks down by that 1/8" to make them all the same size, but figured that would be too prissy for this particular quilt.

I divided the blocks into two groups according to value in the corner fabric of each block and then was pretty good about putting them up on the design board randomly.

I sewed horizontal rows of seven blocks and then joined 10 of those rows together to make a rectangle. I then sewed vertical rows of 10 blocks, two of which were longer than the rest. I could have just sewed them together and whacked off the extra, but these are just 1" blocks - it's not like there's much of the block to lose. So I added some extra to the bottom of the big rectangle and one of the vertical rows and then joined them together. That will be a little sliver when it's all joined up and I think it will make the whole work more interesting. Right now this piece measures 29.75" x 30.5"

I've decided to call this The Margarita Quilt. It's happy (a well-made margarita definitely makes me happy), has lime, and looks like I was tipsy while I was piecing it.

I can't decide if I want to border it or not. I love the idea of using this center "square" in the middle of a huge border. I played around with a border when this quilt was only 7 x 7 blocks but didn't actually like it.


So The Margarita Quilt will get aside while I play some more with the remaining 9-Patches.

The light has definitely improved - spring at last. Pokey:

And Lily:

Yesterday, I met Marie of Luxor One Day at a Time. She is an absolute blast. She has a fascinating job -- librarian at Chicago House in Luxor, Egypt -- and is a quilter and cat lover. We had so much to talk about, it was just wonderful. She's visiting Paris before heading back to California where she lives in the off-season. She came over to my apartment and I showed her some of my quilts and Egypt treasures and of course the cats hid from her the entire time.

Have you seen Finn's great tutorial for working with Orphan Blocks? How about Sarah's tutorial for a free-pieced flower?

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

This quilt just keeps looking more and more beautiful. I am in love with the colors and think the contrast is perfect!

I am out of town at the moment but hope we'll get a chance to quilt again sometime in May or June!

canquilt said...

I love your margarita quilt. It is sooo happy.

Clare said...

I'm glad you and Marie had a blast. Knew you would. Bet you didn't stop talking Egypt the whole time. What did she think of the quilts, especially the Tentmaker one?

Oh shame she didn't get to see the cats.

Definitely huge border.

Joyce said...

It looks great on your design wall so maybe a neutral brown border? Or is that too tame? Lol.

Unknown said...

This one really pulsates! I really like your fabric choices--the occasional strong print just adds more even interest.

sewprimitive karen said...

That looks fabulous with the huge smacking-bright border. What an interesting visitor!! Too bad she missed the cats, though.

Kate said...

What fun! Those tiny little nine-patches really invite close inspection. Love the mix of colors.

jovaliquilts said...

We put Margaritaville on the CD player and busted out the tequila Saturdy to celebrate our first warm weekend. All we needed was your quilt!

Funny, I've been picturing it much bigger, like a throw. I love that blue but not so sure about the huge solid border. Have you thought of a free-pieced border? with margarita glasses and lime green cactus? Or is that too obvious?

Sarah said...

I like your margarita quilt. I vote no border, but I almost always vote no border.

Thanks for the mention and link!

Laura said...

I vote big border! I love how it look with the big splash of one color.

Anonymous said...

Like I said before: great quilt!
The colours make you happy and cheerfull :)
I don't think I'd add a big border.
I check back later to see what you've decided.
The weather here is great too: wore my summercoat for the first time this year. Yéééé!

Gypsy Quilter said...

WOW, love those colors!

Purple Pam said...

Love the blocks. I like the blue border. What about a piano key border around that with the fabrics from the 9 patches? I am sure whatever you decide will be spectacular!

Anonymous said...

That is one stunning quilt! I love it. So energetic!

Hedgehog said...

Love this and the name, too! About the borders, I think it would look cool with two different narrow borders like you have in yellow and orange in the photo!

Tracey @ozcountryquiltingmum said...

I love those colours-it just says holiday to me...and holiday certainly says margarita-great title!
I like the 2 tone border you auditioned, Tracey

Rosalyn Manesse said...

It's a dandy quilt

Magpie Sue said...

If you decide to go with a wide border you could quilt in pink elephants!

antique quilter said...

wow! beautiful quilt so far....wow! love how cheery this quilt is and of course nine patches, my personal favorite blocks!
can't wait to see how you decide to finish it and quilt it.

dee said...

Just my two cents but I love, love, love, the wide border. The comment about pink elephants in the border is a great idea. What a happy quilt!

Sue said...

Your border should look salty, like the edge of a margarita glass.
Love the quilt