I started Bonnie Hunter’s mystery quilt, Orca Bay on Christmas Eve. I know call me crazy, but I had a quiet moment & all was ready for the festivities.
Little did I realize the amount of work and the hours that go in to this quilt. I have never made anything with such small pieces and so much cutting. I started off with the string blocks as those I love to make.
Then it was on to HST’s and 2.5”blocks. At this point I have not bought any fabric but have used only scraps or stash (not sure if that is a good or bad thing, depends which way you look at it I guess). (lots of cutting)
sewing the HST’s and squares together made for beautiful blocks
test run of the layout
See the black wings on the flying geese? Well I deviated from the pattern here. I just couldn’t bring myself to cut 700 some triangles to make a pieced wing. So I went scrappy black wings instead. Sorry Bonnie!
I was finally at a point to piece it all together last week. I am so pleased with it. This is a birds eye view of it on my bed. (I am balancing on the foot board).
I have to put the borders on still, but truthfully, I was getting bored playing with black, red, and white and needed a break. I also know that I won’t be doing exactly as Bonnie’s pattern suggests for the borders. Again I can’t fathom cutting so many triangles. Plus if you know me I never seem to follow a pattern always added my own flair to it.
There is still a little bit of Christmas around here. My Poinsettias have never been this nice. Figures when I spend $30 on one it dies instantly. These were $5.99 specials from Costco and they are just as lovely as the day I got them, only bigger!!!
A couple of things I ponder about the makings of a mystery quilt. Next time, if there is, will I wait again to see the end result to start or truly make it a mystery? Will I actually follow the pattern (ha who am I kidding probably not!) Will I choose the same colour combination or go with my own choices? Something to think about.
Happy Stitching
Lee
Lee, this is absolutely lovely! You've done a beautiful job and I really like the changes that you made to make it your own. Being one who rarely follows a pattern completely myself, I can totally understand! :)
ReplyDeleteIt's wonderful! I love the changes you made.
ReplyDeleteI just stumbled into your blog... WOW! I just looooooove your color choices for this quilt! Gorgeous and so yummy! I think I'll have to follow you! :) Have a wonderful day!
ReplyDeleteIt's beautiful Lee! That liile bit of flair of your own works very well! Groetjes!
ReplyDeleteLovely. You're changes look great.
ReplyDeleteHi Lee,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind words on my blog. Where in Alberta are you? Your Orca Bay looks wonderful -- and you started more than a month after Bonnie set it up, so I know you've been working hard on it. I agree -- I've never made a quilt with so many bits and bobs and joints to sew!! However, it did take a great chunk out of my stash...
Check out the "Linky" thing re: border styles -- there are many inspiring alternatives to what Bonnie did!
Enjoy!
Margaret
You are so smart to do the solid wings if you don't want to cut all of the triangles. Your quilt is unique to you. I made the triangles for the wings, but used plaid and striped fabric instead of string blocks. And I waited until it was revealed before starting, so I am not quite halfway on my blocks.
ReplyDeleteWe do what works for us.
Your top is gorgeous--even without a bazillion triangles. : )
Love the poinsettia accent with your quilt! That was a good idea to conserve on the triangle cutting and sewing... that was the most tedious step for me. It looks fabulous!
ReplyDelete