Optic Strings is Finished

 

Optic Strings is finished!

This quilt was started in 2019

as part of the UandU QAL.

You can read the full reveal post

over on my blog - click HERE.

Quiltdivajulie

Conundrum - The Quilt

Conundrum is finished!

Measures 30" wide x 42" long

Created using the cut off corners 

from the blocks for Optic Strings.

Layout inspired by the "String Grid" quilt on page 22

of Roderick Kiracofe's Unconventional and Unexpected.

This is my first finish for Sujata's U and U QAL.

Backing is by Keiko Goke ("stripe plaid")

I used the one leftover triangle to create a label.

Quilted with Affinity variegated Rainbow thread

(with Glide Bark in the bobbin)

using my unmarked liberated free motion all-over fans.

And here is where Conundrum will live

for the foreseeable future -

what you see when you first step through

the door to my design studio.

And this is the view as you leave the design studio.

* * *

There are three more UandU quilt tops to be quilted.

Sooner rather than later, I hope.

Quiltdivajulie

Optic Strings and Conundrum - Two Flimsies

Optic Strings - the flimsy 

48" x 64"

Inspired by "Aunt Etta's" string quilt on page 135

of Unconventional and Unexpected.

Pieced using Moda solids and reproduction prints.

You can read the complete reveal post on my blog HERE.

Conundrum - the flimsy

30.5" x 42"

Pieced using the corners cut from Optic String's strip sets.

Layout inspired by "String With Grid" on page 22

of Unconventional and Unexpected.

You can read the full reveal post on my blog

by clicking HERE and scrolling down a post or two.

* * *

The U and U QAL has been so interesting.

Thanks, Sujata for posing this challenge!

With four quilt tops waiting to be quilted,

I think I'm "done" with the challenge for now . . . 

Quiltdivajulie

Optic Geese Has a New Name - CONUNDRUM

These are the trimmed-away corner triangles

from this week's batch of Optic String blocks.

These trimmings have turned into a second project

for the #UandU quilt challenge.

Initially named Optic Geese,

I have now renamed this quilt-to-be

CONUNDRUM.

Read on and you'll see why.

Same parts sewn together into pairs and 

randomly plopped on the design wall.

This is the new inspiration quilt

from Unconventional and Unexpected.

(click here for that story)

A quick side note for those who have asked.

I am using this large triangle ruler

to cut away the sewn on corners

from the previously shared flying geese blocks.

I am not unstitching all those corners.

Here are a few more blocks on the design wall

with spaces added for future sashing and cornerstones.

Interesting to see how the different colors

appear to create such different patterns

when reduced to black and white.

Same blocks but in a different arrangement.

Again in black and white.

This has possibilities, 

but I need to work with it some more.

Checked the inspiration quilt in black and white

(phone photo of the computer screen)

to help reassure myself I'm on the right track.

And then . . . 

it happened again . . . 

What if I turn the squares on point?!?

And what if I mix up the colors

instead of keeping them in pairs?!?

Optic Strings - an update

I've been making a block a day.

(or a total of seven blocks per week)

I'm thrilled that my plan to use 

a wide mix of solids and an equally wide 

group of reproduction prints is working so well.

Part of me wants to rush ahead

but reality is keeping me to my weekly plan.

And because of the way I'm making my blocks

there are corner cut-offs that just begged to be used.

So there is now a second quilt in the making!

Quiltdivajulie

p.s.  You can see the introductory post for this project HERE.

Optic Strings - Another U&U Project

I ran across The 100 Day Project last week

and realized it was excellent motivation

for me to work on one of my projects 

for the Unconventional and Unexpected QAL.

I have always loved this quilt 

in Roderick Kiracofe's book.

My version will feature a mix 

of solids and reproduction fabrics.

It will also be smaller than the quilt in the book

with a layout 8 blocks wide x 10 blocks long.

Here is the information on the inspiration quilt.

This photo shows my nearly-final fabric pull . . .

And this is what 80 sets of strips look like

when sorted using my paper plate system.

This is that same group of 80 sets of strips

but shown from a different angle.

I can't wait to get started on this one

which I have named Optic Strings.

* * *

My goal is to make a block a day

during the next 100 days  --

and if I get the blocks done in time,

I will include the layout process

as part of my 100 Day Challenge.

Each Monday I'll share an update post on my blog

with the blocks from the previous week.

Here's to making progress!

Quiltdivajulie

The Lattice Quilt Intrepretation

This is the quilt that I ended up with as the answer to the #UANDUQAL. I adore riffing off of quilts in the Unconventional and Unexpected book by Roderick Kiracofe. Trying to keep with the same look/feel/vibe of these quilts while using more modern day fabrics never gets old.

The Lattice Quilt in red

It was quite the challenge in many ways and I wrote quite a bit about the journey over at my personal blog.  I also combined this challenge with another one over at AHIQ blog, the #AHIQRED challenge where Red is considered a Neutral.

Original Inspiration quilt

There are several more quilts in the book that I have bookmarked for future interpretation attempts. So much joy in these charmingly make-do look quilts. It often makes me think that we could take our quilt-making attempts a little too seriously at times! Thanks Sujata for the great QAL! You gave me the perfect excuse to try making yet another quilt in the book!