First I debated about what blocks or what process to use. Somehow a liberated quilt didn't feel right so that got eliminated right away. I also didn't particularly feel like making a bunch of precision pieced blocks. I looked at a lot of Disappearing Nine Patch quilts online. For a while I thought that would be the pattern/process I would use. But I was also thinking about Karla Alexander's Stack the Deck process for making crazy blocks. In the end that's the one I went with.
I think the problem began with the fact that some of my cat prints are dark and grayed while others are bright, pure colors. I thought I could manage to blend the two, using the "more is better" principle. I'm just not sure it worked in this case.
This is not all of the blocks, but enough to give you a rough idea what I've got. I ended up not using many of my cat prints for one reason or another so to begin with I don't feel there's enough catly presence in the top currently. I guess the other thing that's bothering me is that this feels too old for a four year old. There are some fun and colorful prints in the blocks but it just reads darker than I think a preschooler's quilt should. What do you think?To be fair, I should tell you that I have ordered a large print with cats in it that I thought I might be able to work into the top somehow. It could become borders or a feature element. I won't know how well it even works with these blocks until it arrives. It has a black background however so it won't do anything to lighten up the quilt top. It didn't appear to be available in any other colorway.
What I really need to do is turn my attention away from this puzzle and occupy myself with some other project until the new fabric arrives. Soooo... what to do for my March Bead Journal Project?
I don't know sue...it's sure bright and attractive...is her room all in pastels or light colors that you think the quilt wouldn't fit in with?
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't call it too dark for a 4-year old, but it's your personal preference that counts!
I think the blocks are charming. It you've got a dark kitty border fabric coming, that may be the answer to your concerns about the theme. I think it will look great. The blocks have a nice timeless crazy quilt feel that will last beyond the child's preschool years.
ReplyDeleteI think just put it aside until the new fabric arrives then see how it goes. Little girls down under here seem to adore pink, in all it's varieties. Are they the same there?
ReplyDeleteI think it works fine for a little girl. If it feels too dark you could back it with a lighter, more girly fabric. Then she can use that side now and this side later...
ReplyDeleteI agree with your feeling that you should wait for the other fabric to arrive. I really like what you have, a lot, and think it is wonderful for a little girl.
ReplyDeleteSet it aside and give yourself a break ~ and then keep going.
Happy beading!
You've made your decision already but I will still pipe up here. I think it looks great. She is four and going on growing up which means a little more sophisticated in color will keep this around and loved for YEARS to come unlike a toddlerish look.
ReplyDelete