Yes, I know I have complained a number of times about quilt chores that I don't like - binding, borders, pieced backings. You're probably wondering why I even BOTHER to quilt! But let me assure you, there are parts of it that I love and of course the finished product is always well worth it!
My very favorite part of the entire process is cutting! I love bonding with each fabric as I cut it into pieces for my quilt. I know it would be faster if I stacked up fabrics and cut multiple layers, but I prefer to work with each fabric individually so I can enjoy it more. And you know I like to make scrappy quilts, so this cutting process can be quite involved!
This is the beginning stages of cutting for what I'm planning will be my retreat project in less than 2 weeks! I'm making the Blackberries and Cream quilt that was in the American Patchwork and Quilting magazine a couple of issues ago (it was June 2007--thanks, Carol!). The large square in the center will be my 30 block centers. Each of those blocks is framed by squares and half-square triangles of cream and purple. Each alternating block is composed of HSTs in cream and purple. Here I've cut a few of the purples I've pulled from stash and purchased for this quilt. I have about 60 different purples, but there may be more after I shop at a favorite yet seldom visited shop on Saturday.
I will have probably 30 or 40 cream/white fabrics in the quilt as well. I collect neutral fabrics to use as scrappy backgrounds in my quilts. Since I tend to lean towards quilts with HSTs, I always cut a strip of each background fabric I buy, cut them into 3-1/2" squares and throw them in a box. This I have a ready-made stash of squares for my next scrap quilt.
Another one of my favorite things is taking a stack of fabrics, sometimes something that I have had for YEARS and finally finding just the right pattern to make with them (like Cinnamon Stars!) I love that lightbulb moment when I finally decide!
Cutting is not my least favorite but definitely ranks high on the "least favorite" list.
ReplyDeleteI don't do this kind of cutting very often since I make a lot of applique quilts but recently I made a bunch of star blocks and I cut all the pieces and had them stacked next to may machine and that was really fun.
ReplyDeleteWe are quilting sisters for sure. As you know, I adore cutting out the fabric for a new quilt. It is a meditative process for me. That blackberries and cream quilt is going to be positively incredible. What a collection of fabrics you put together. Did you count them? How many purples do you have?
ReplyDeleteOh I so love your colorway for this quilt. My bedroom is purples. We kitted this in fabrics different from the magazine for our shop and the issue is June '07. I love the selection and sewing process and playing with rearrangement of fabric. I love playing with fabric and I like finally finding the right project for it too!
ReplyDeleteOoh that photo of the fabrics just makes me all warm and fuzzy inside! Your fabric choices are beautiful, as I know the quilt you're making for me will be! Hahahahahaha!! I do love the cutting-out process, too - it's a zen sort of thing, isn't it? And, looking thru my stash for just the right piece and finding it is an absolutely divine feeling! Who said quilting isn't a 'religious' experience?
ReplyDeleteCome over to my place, as I find cutting out to be a chore.
ReplyDeletePurple is my absolutely favorite color. I am like you, I don't like putting bindings on and at times borders give me fits. You want to cut some out for me?
ReplyDeleteI love to cut the fabric. That's why I cut two quilts out at once sometimes. Love it!!
ReplyDeleteWe should team up sometime . . . cutting is the favorite part for me, but I am in quilter's heaven when I get to the binding *s*
ReplyDeleteLove the colors you have picked out. I, too, like to use a lot of different colors of colors in my quilts. Makes them move.
ReplyDeleteAs a novice I have to say I am heartened to hear that a pro, such as yourself, hates parts of the quilting process. We should work out a trade - my least favorite part is cutting fabric but I do love sewing on a binding.
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