Friday, March 8, 2013

More "Fun" with 3 Barns

A funny thing happened while I was adding the outer border to 3 Barns ( I have GOT to come up with a better name for this quilt!), I decided I liked the sashing!



So I pinned the sashing around a block and thought I liked it some more.



And then I added those fussy cut medallion blocks for the cornerstones and thought I really liked it!



So I took all those blocks apart, yes I did!


And now I have this! And I love it.  It looks better in person, the dreary days of March do not make for very good photography.  But I'm really happy with how those star blocks look now.


And here's what I learned:

First, I liked the pattern so why was I changing the pattern!

Second, when deciding on sashing for a block, surround the whole block, not one side, the same holds true for border fabric, put it around the whole quilt, it makes a huge difference.  I know better but still made my initial decision on the sashing by looking at one side of a block.

Third, sometimes being unhappy with a project has nothing to do with the project at all.  I thought the sashing was too much, I don't know why, it wasn't too much on the pattern, but once I sat down and thought about it, I think I was looking for a calmer quilt because my life has too much going on.  I have several things going on at once in my sewing room, which isn't like me at all, plus I am juggling some home improvement projects which are always stressful.  But I'm over that now, I'm embracing this sashing, and it feels good.

Thanks to all who left comments on my hot mess.  Don't ever be worried about being totally honest with any of my projects, it doesn't bother me at all.  As a matter of fact, I enjoy an interesting discussion or difference of opinion, I think that makes us all better quilters.


23 comments:

  1. What a difference surrounding the block makes. I agreed with your initial dislike of the sashing when you just had it between two blocks, but now seeing it surrounding the blocks and with the lovely fussy cut cornerstones it looks completely different and completely wonderful.

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  2. I was with you on Wednesday and didn't like it, but now with the sashing around the block I love it! I love how you often select a totally different fabric than the designer and what a great looking quilt you end up with. Thanks for sharing your quilt with us!

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  3. Oh my....what a wonderful looking quilt this is going to be and think you made a great decission to try those sashing pieces. I also thought at first those sashing pieces made it very busy but have to say, they pop the blocks with the corner pieces.......love it!
    Gail

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  4. Isn't it funny how what is going on in our lives can affect every aspect of our life and decision making..Glad things are settling down for you and I love your work no matter which way you go.

    Thanks for sharing.

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  5. The fussy cut cornerstones take the cake, it's beautiful, Thelma~!

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  6. I liked it a lot without the sashing. Maybe the simplicity of the blocks and colors. I can't wait to see it all finished. I am such a visual person so it is hard for me to visualize the finished quilt. So glad you went back and made it so you will love the quilt and have no regrets. I always end up loving your finished quilts.

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  7. Ok you just need to start designing your own patterns and then you will be happy. we all love what you do! Yes the name needs to change. I keep looking for Barn blocks. How about Star Serenity?

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  8. It's a beauty - the sashing was meant to be there. I'm glad you decided to add it. I agree with Lee, you need to start designing your own patterns. :-)

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  9. Oh yeah - I'm with you! Initially I thought there was too much going on with the borders as well, but when you put the original sashing pieces all around the quilt top it looks so much better than just a square. This is going to be a gorgeous quilt!

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  10. Wow those cornerstones are a perfect addition and it looks wonderful. I agree that sometimes life gets in the way of the creative process. As the years have gone by, the process of bringing a quilt to a point that satisfies me, is more important than just finishing and moving on to the next project.

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  11. I love how your blocks speak to you! That's why your quilts are amazing, XOXO

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  12. I like how you used the sashing to break up the blocks. We should love our quilts because we spend so much time making them!
    Stefanie

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  13. Speaking of making us better quilters--I've learned a lot from you. I count myself as one of those, "eh, it's fine the way it is" quilters rather than taking something apart and redoing it as you sometimes do. I was at a retreat last weekend and added the 2nd of 3 borders onto a particularly intricate quilt THEN realized I'd done it out of order. Your blog came to mind and I took it off and did it correctly. SOOOO glad I did. Thanks for making me a better quilter! (It's here if you want to see it--http://rabidquilter3.blogspot.com/)

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  14. I liked the quilt without the sashing but now that I see it with the sashing I love it ! What a difference ! Looking forward to seeing the finish :-D

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  15. The minute I read that you should re-name the quilt, Red Rover came into my head. Red Rover, Red Rover, send Thelma on over!!! Love the quilt!

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  16. I think you made a right decision with the sashing! I'm not sure, if I can say this correct & be understandable, but somehow your wonderful stars gets more space now and the top won't look so busy... Am I understandable at all? Anyway I LOVE your 3 Barns!!!!

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  17. I love the changes and I'm like you, that if you don't really feel comfortable with what it looks like, be grateful it wasn't all sewn together and go for it. I love your blog and especially love the use of the red!!! Have a great weekend. Laura ninepatch@hotmail.com

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  18. Looking good! Much more calming than the other sashing; even though I did like the other sashing.

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  19. I like where it's going! Makes a lot of sense!

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  20. I like the way it is looking now. The star blocks needed space to shine and now they do!

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  21. It looks great Thelma!
    I love the idea of how your life situation affects how you feel about a quilt...will think further on that!

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  22. I will wait until you have put all the sashing before I speak my mind. Like you said, don't put the sashing on just one side but surround the whole block. So I will wait and see.
    The other thing is: who do we make quilt for if not for pleasing ourselves? If you like it, who are we to say the opposite.
    Hurry up and finish it, I don't want to wait too long, LOL.
    ♫ ♫ ♪ ♪ ♪

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  23. I think this piano key sashing looks much better than your original idea. Well done for being brave enough to play around with it, pull it apart and try again. I hope you have enough fabric left for all the piano keys?

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