"Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing
there is a field. I will meet you there."

- Jalal ad-Din Rumi


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Thursday, December 23, 2010

border rebellion

The empty field quilting world has been in the throes of a border rebellion.

A major re-think has occurred with the border of the mad little birds quilt and although a great deal of time and effort had gone into border design1, it has now been removed and replaced with border design2 - a design with which I am much more comfortable, and can see myself achieving, eventually. The sepentine fabric and appliqued hexagons are OUT and a border made entirely of hexagons is IN.

Do you ever sew something believing it will be great and then once it's done, know it's not? This was where I have been with this quilt for the past 4 or so weeks, knowing changes needed to be made but resisting. Saturday was crunch day with Material Obsession's last Marg Samson workshop for the year - finally the decision was made, the seam ripper deployed and several major backward leaps later, a new border was underway!

Meanwhile applique has continued on BTCT...

My second block is complete - these blocks are enjoyable and not too taxing. A bit of  redesign has happened to my version - changing from 25 blocks to a centre eagle medallion +12 blocks...
The eagle centre is based on a quilt in Crib Quilts which I have written about previously ...clearly he needs a lot more work.  I've posted these over on another blog BTCT - do hop over and visit every now and then, there are some very talented quilters who are making this quilt.

Perhaps sewing can progress further after Saturday's festivities. I only have the stautory holidays around Christmas/New Year, but my boss is away for the entire month of January so there is scope for some "down time" work wise and "up time" stitching wise.

So this will be the final post for 2010 - I wish all my newly met bloggy friends a very happy holiday season, thanks so much for stopping by, I love to read your comments and value the new friendships forged through this amazing medium.

May all your Christmas wishes come true!

8 comments:

jean said...

Kate, your border is looking great,it will be a lot of work but well worth it in the end. Have a lovely Christmas and all the best for 2011

Miriam said...

I love your BTCT block and your centre eagle.
The border is looking great!

Merry Christmas to you and your family, Kate!!

Meredith said...

Merry Christmas. I am glad you found a design for the border you are happy with. Very prettu and a fair amount of work. I think we all have sewn something and found out it is not so great.

Lori said...

It is best not to fight it when the quilt isn't right. I can tell you are so much happier with your hexagon decision.
Merry Christmas!

YankeeQuilter said...

Love the hexagons! I find borders are sometimes the toughest design decision of the quilt...maybe because at that point I am so invested in the piece.

Have a great Christmas and hope you find a few minutes to stitch!

Crispy said...

Your revision is wonderful Kate!!

I'm wishing your and your family a wonderful Holiday Season!!

Crispy

Lisa said...

Wow, the new border looks wonderful! What a lot of work, though. I love your fabrics for the BTCT.

LuAnn said...

I love the hexagon border. I think all the time spent making those hexagons will be well worth it. Wow!