"A Hot Mess"

This top was a first for me. Always before when I made a crumbs quilt I made a lot of other "order" in the quilt - helping give my eyes a place to rest. I decided to try to make this one quite differently - going in a polar opposite way.

I took more of the partial blocks and crumbs and sometimes not-so-small pieces of fabric I had and and "made fabric" from them. From the "made fabric", I cut strips 3.5", 6.5" and 9.5" wide. Usually they were no more than about 12" long, however, and so I seamed these pieces of "made fabric" together end to end to create strips.  I then sewed these strips to the center of the quilt top, going around and around the center, varying the widths so that it wouldn't look like I was actually making "rounds" -  or borders.

The end result is a big mess. There is very little space for your eye to rest, though of course, it naturally goes to the partial blocks that are part of the center - that part I like.

Actually, this quilt has grown on me.

I've decided I do like it and want to try something like it but with my other crumbs/pieces - not just blues.

I can make it seem even a bigger 'hot mess' by using all different colors!

Over all, it is number 35 in my upcycled blues series. The entire series as it is currently is at that link - it does take a while to load all the quilts, however.  Plan on it taking a minute or two.

My husband helped me square it up as it was badly "off".  I knew it would be because when you make a quilt top like I did, simply by adding kind of wonky, sort of stretchy pieces you are asking for problems. There was no point of reference for keeping things square.

Because this one was so very busy, I didn't even worry about the quilting - I did a simple loop design - figuring no one would even notice the quilting!

On one section it measured over 101" long and at another point a couple feet away - maybe 3 feet away, only 98".  Obviously I had a problem. So, he helped me square it up and I appreciate his patience with me! He actually held the measuring tape and told me how to get the 90 degree angle I needed to work with!

But normally he stays out of my quilting stuff - except to put in my sewing room cabinets, and he built shelves in my fabric storage room, and he fixes machines, and ....get the picture? LOL

He doesn't actually sew - but he's pretty much an enabler!

I am grateful for him!

And that's what's been happening in my part of the world with relation to quilting lately.

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Be sure to check out what my sis has for you over in the store! She's always trying to find you some good deals.

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