Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Not too much longer, Otto

All my sewing stuff is back downstairs, so I couldn't put off doing the borders on Otto's quilt any longer.
This next photo gives an idea of what it will look like with red binding.
You may have noticed the clips holding the top onto the design wall. I purchased one of those portable design walls a couple years ago and have not been overly impressed. It doesn't stand well on its own, and the surface isn't very clingy. Lately everything has been sliding off it, even small blocks. I do have a smaller design wall of batting fixed to the wall with painter's tape, and that works great.
I put the completed top upside down on the table so I could gauge how much space I had for the back. I don't have room for another zig zag. I think I'll fill in the rest with leftovers from the front and also the red fabric.

I think Otto is going to think the back is the front, which makes more sense than the way I have been thinking of it. I had to call the free-pieced part the back or I would never have had the nerve to play around so much! I know that's silly, but I don't have a background in art or design and I have very little sewing experience, so it's difficult for me to trust my ability to create. The little mind game of putting something fun on the back of the quilt made it much easier for me to play around.


21 comments:

jillytacy said...

I agree that I would do the back as the front, it's marvelous! You should trust your quilting and sewing instincts, you know what you're doing!!! Otto is one lucky little fellow to get such an amazing quilt!

Joyce said...

You had better start trusting your artistic and creative ablitity because you did a fantastic job. I think think most people would agree that the free pieced side should be the front. Wanna bet that this side will be up most of the time?

Donna said...

whatever you call it, its beautiful! I'm so glad you found a way around your mental block and have had fun experiementing with this one :-)

sewkalico said...

Love the checkerboard border and both sides are brilliant - makes for a fun quilt that Otto will love!

Bunny said...

I think you've learned a valuable lesson from this fantastic quilt - the secret (IMHO) is to allow yourself to think like a kid! Otto will love it. Bunny

Toni said...

OOOO the red binding is sooo perfect!!!

Interesting take on your design wall. I love my, but I had my husband put those planter hooks (ya know the one you can hang plants from) in my ceiling and suspended my wall from it. Like you, I don't like the function of it's standing capabilities, but I have no issues with things sticking to it unless I'm layering stuff.

Tracey in CT said...

It looks fabulous! So much fun!
I have kind of been thinking about that portable design wall, I don't have a wall at the cabin and desperately need one. Unfortunately, I ruled it out because I think that my furry friends would have a great time running around and knocking it over.

Pattie said...

Yeah, I think the back is the front, too. It's just so creative! Funny that you don’t quite trust yourself in that area yet. As someone who’s only recently "met" you, you strike me as VERY creative.

So wear that title proudly, woman!

Quiltdivajulie said...

I so understand your difficulty trusting yourself... I fight with it all the time. And when the project passes a certain point, I can feel the quilt telling me it's okay now.

Otto will love this quilt, no matter which way it is turned!! It is AWESOME!!!!!

em's scrapbag said...

Front or back it looks great. Your a natural for design. Way to go! Love, Em

Exuberantcolor/Wanda S Hanson said...

The "front" can give you a grid for a quilting pattern and the back can become the front. Kids are always rolling up in them anyway so no matter where he looks he'll see something neat.

I don't have a background in art or design either, it has all been playing for me. I do have an extensive background in sewing tho.

Libby said...

Yeah, it could just be "reversible" and not have a "front" and "back". Both sides are lovely. I think if making it the "back" is what it takes to get you doing awesome work like that then by all means, make it the back! The important thing is playing around and having fun...

Tonya Ricucci said...

fantastic and gorgeous. lucky Otto has got a two-sides quilt for whatever fits his mood. now trust yourself - you are talented.

Rosalyn Manesse said...

Totally reversible in my opinion, and a triumph.

Clare said...

100% perfect in every way. Well done you!

laura west kong said...

Wonderful quilt! I love the colors, and both sides are marvelous!

Shelina (formerly known as Shasta) said...

What a great gift quilt. I've done that too - make a top, and then throw together a back, and people like the back better than the front. Both sides are wonderful on yours.

jacquie said...

while i love the "front" the free piecing is marvelous! you may not have a "background" but you are seriously talented!

Helen in the UK said...

This is coming together beautifully!! If you needed to 'kid' yourself that the front was the back - go for it!! Looks like both sides are winners :)

Cher said...

fabulous quilt-both sides! though I am more partial to the wonky side personally-and who could resist loving their name on their own quilt?
you have great "artistic" sense!

Laurel said...

My take: the "front" is nice. The "back" is WOW! Soooo much more interesting. What a great learning experiment. Go with your gut, it's paying off with the back of this quilt!