I started this project a few weeks back with the idea that I would get a full day workshop out of it for later this year (for my
Bearpaw Craft Classes venture at the shop). I have made these string blocks using the QAYG (quilt-as-you-go) method which I first tried out making blocks for the
Quilts for Christchurch appeal back
here. I love the fact that the quilting is all done with piecing (and very neatly for me!), and that all you have to do to finish is hand sew the big blocks together on the back.
As I was sewing this together I was really falling in love with the colour palette I'd chosen. It's quite an unusual one for me but I had just got all this lovely new fabric from
Dolores,
Leila,
My Fabric House and as extras with my DQS11 from
ladmquilter, and I felt really inspired and excited to put them all together.
The original idea was to make a 4 block mini quilt as a finished project. But as I worked on this I realised I would not fit this into a day workshop and also each student would need quite a bit of space to lay out the 4 blocks as they worked. So when I had got this far I thought I would leave it and make it into a full sized quilt and offer it as an evening class block of 5 next year.
But as time has gone on I am sure about it less and less. First of all I am not sure about the grey sashing (it is Moda Bella Grey), maybe white would be better? Also I think the sashing is too wide and maybe a half inch width would look better (and would be much easier for students to achieve).
And now I am wondering about the whole evening class idea again - I think it would be too boring to be sewing these blocks week after week and, as my students all seem to be quilting beginners, they would be not learning any of the more traditional quilt making instructions. Maybe I could base a full day workshop on teaching the actual QAYG technique, where everybody tried out the method but we weren't under any pressure to actually finish anything?
Aaarrghh! I am not getting anywhere here but maybe you lot could help? You are all so wise and creative and I would really appreciate your honest opinion. I don't like to leave stuff unfinished. Even if I don't turn this into a class would this make a nice quilt with 16 blocks and white sashing?
Any help would be gratefully received (and let's just hope you actually get to read this post - fingers crossed Blogger!).
