What to Do with an Ugly Quilt
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Ugh. I’m not sure it has any redeeming qualities. But, I always like to learn from my mistakes, so I asked myself “If I had this to do over again, what would I do differently?” In this case, I came up with several things:
– Make the skinny strips end at different places, in order to create an irregular edge.
– Change the alignment of the diagonal strips and the horizontal ones. It would be more interesting, if the diagonal ones extended down below the horizontal ones.
– Use a lot fewer strips, so the background brown shows through in places.
– Add another diagonal grouping of strips.
– In short: mix things up!
Do, I did. I made another quilt with these concepts in mind. I changed the colors, though. And this is what I got.
It’s called Number 3 with an Eggroll. Can you see the similarities (and changes) in composition? Much better, don’t you think?
I think I made that ugly quilt around 2003 and it’s been aging in my closet ever since. But, age doesn’t seem to help quilts, so it was time to toss it or reuse it. Since I’ve been making lots of Notes for a Friend, I thought maybe I could cut up this quilt to create small backgrounds for more of those.
I did, and this is what I got.
Not overly exciting, but I thought I could work them. And I really liked the little bits of metallic and sheers.
Next, I auditioned other fabrics to fill out the color palette. Maybe some more metalics and sheers?
Plus, maybe some rusts, browns, and blues?
Yes. That seemed good, and I set to work.
Ellen Lindner
P.S. I made several quilts with torn strips. This was the first one, Gold Strata. The ones in this post came next. Most of them have irregular edges.
Catching up again, Ellen! Don’t you love that quilt cut up–such potential. I like to work just the way you describe so often. I have a quilt that I need to cut up. I’m afraid its going to have to ferment in the closet a little while longer while I work up the nerve to do that…
Also, your husband was right. The toilet talk WAS very interesting : )
Hey Debby,
This is not the first quilt I’ve cut up and it probably won’t be the last.
I like the idea of your quilt “fermenting” in the closet. Do you think it will improve with age?
I had to chuckle at your comment about the toilets. Glad you found that post to be interesting!