Thursday, July 7, 2022

The Tale of Three Tops



Eight Patch Flimsies

I've been making Eight Patch blocks since last year. They consist of 2.5 x 3.5 pieces.  I made them when I had scraps enough for four rectangles in those sizes  leftover from making other quilts. Or I made them each month in the Rainbow Scrap Challenge (RSC) color of the month if I had scraps enough in those sizes. Last week when I made a few with purple (RSC color of the month) scraps I mentioned I had quite a pile of them and maybe I should take count. I was kind of surprised that I was only about a dozen blocks short of three kiddo sized donation quilts. So I dug around in my scraps and made a few more blocks and then I made some tops.

One layout takes 49 blocks and the other 50.   I divided my blocks into three piles - ones with novelties, florals and everything else.   I mostly had blocks with florals so that got the 50 blocks (top in the middle) and measures 40 x 60 inches in a 5 x 10 layout.    The other two tops in a 7 x 7 layout measure in at 42 x 56. 



 

The Novelties



I usually sew my blocks together randomly and just try to keep in mind as I'm webbing to keep most of the lighter blocks at the edges or on top but every once in awhile I must lose my mind.   Yes, that lighter one in gray and yellow with the bicyclists and houses sticks out like a sore thumb where it is.  I see that now that it is hanging up on the line. The more I looked at it hanging there the more I thought I should exchange it with another block and so looked around a bit to try and decide where to put it instead of the sore thumb position.     And then I remembered that would take some ripping and resewing and I really don't like to do that and  really I should concentrate more on getting some quilts finished and off to some kids who are probably not going to hang  quilts up and look for sore thumbs. 



The Florals.


I'm not sure which way I like the blocks oriented. 



Everything Else



And now I have another empty project box.
Maybe I should take count of a few other blocks! 

And sew on...

17 comments:

Julierose said...

Neat finishes--nice work--that's an awful lot of 8-patch blocks you've made!! :))) hugs, Julierose

Gretchen Weaver said...

Another beautiful scrap quilt! You are so inspiring. On another note, I think it was your blog that I saw the Sunny Lanes blocks. Would you send me a link to your final post? Thanks, happy stitching!

Linda said...

They have all turned out great. Three children will be very happy to receive them and enjoy them.

Elle said...

I love them all including those bicycles. I think it kinda "punches up" the top!

Happy stitching :-)

Exuberantcolor/Wanda S Hanson said...

I agree, no child is looking for sore thumbs, and in fact that might become their favorite block because it is highlighted where it is. Great fun being able to divide the blocks with 3 themes.

Quiltdivajulie said...

Thanks for sharing these today, Cathy. Younger son really likes the middle quilt (blocks on their sides) which helps resolve a pondering issue for a future quilt he has chosen fabrics for! Love your scrappy joy (ignore the “sore thumb” - unless the quilts are flat, which is not usual if they are being used, there is NO issue).

Deanna said...

Great pattern! I have made something similar some time ago. This gives me the "itch" again. Thank you for sharing.

Jennifer said...

i love your style; i love these quilts! and this "pattern" is so fun! i love these every time i see them somewhere...

also: i didn't notice your sore thumb, until you pointed it out... i scrolled back up and saw what you meant. but really, it doesn't matter...

BUT: i always call them the belly button of the quilt. it's funny- if it's my quilt, it would bother me, but if it's your quilt, i know you're right about getting it done and off to its new home.

whatever you decide, it's great!

Alycia~Quiltygirl said...

How fun are those!!!

cityquilter grace said...

gosh so pretty every one...makes me think of charms candy...lol!

Mystic Quilter said...

Three delightful colourful quilts, a great way to use our smaller pieces of fabric, I am VERY tempted to add a future project now to my ever growing list!

gayle said...

I think I like the 7x7 layout better, but they both look great, so use whatever works!
And I don't think anyone ever will be looking for sore thumbs - they'll be too busy going "ooo!" and "aaah!"

Quilter Kathy said...

Wowzer... great job!
An empty project box?!?! Never heard of it!! LOL

maggie fellow said...

color explosion - nice - I like the 7 x7 the best but all are great

LIttle Penguin Quilts said...

Those are so happy! Lots of fun prints and color - there's nothing better!

Grams Jean said...

The kids will think, "Wow, someone out there is thinking of me and loves me enough to make this for ME! I must be worth while after all!" No critical thoughts will come to their appreciative minds.

mangozz said...

I wasn't even aware of that "sore thumb block" until you pointed it out and I'm sure that the recipient will not notice it either. I love these kind of scrappy quilts!