Thursday, March 06, 2014

Stop Overthinking It!

When I restarted my tea towel challenge with a new tea towel–actually a pair of coordinating tea towels–my mantra was STOP overthinking it.

I won't say that my tendency to think-think-think a project is the only thing that completely blocked me from moving forward with the fairy tale tea towel, but it was definitely a factor ... and since I am being completely honest, I find that I am still (over) thinking about the challenges of working with that one.

The mantra seems to be working for me and, at last, I have some Tea Towel Challenge progress of my own to share.


Followers of the Block Lotto will recognize the Star Chain blocks, which are this month's block for the Lotto, and will also see how the same quilt that inspired the Star Chain block design also inspired the design for this quilt.

I do hope that Céline believes that imitation IS the sincerest form of flattery.  I loved her Maisy quilt and immediately saw design possibilities in it.  Over on the Block Lotto blog, I suggested using large floral prints with the green Star Chain blocks we're making in a similar design, and when I started thinking about what to do with my pair of coordinating hot-air-balloon tea towels, I was clearly still thinking about the Maisy quilt.

Now, I find myself in that place that Laurina blogged about a couple weeks ago and I, too, am asking myself, is it done yet?

I may have fallen into old habits and be overthinking the answer to that question a little too much.  Some considerations are that since itt has turned into a bigger quilt than I imagined–it now measures 56 by 68 inches–maybe I should go for it and make it large enough for a bed?  One practical challenge to making it any larger is that I have all but used up the white-on-white fabric and since I bought the last of the bolt, I won't be able to find/buy more.

I'd love to know what you think: Is it done?  Does it need more and if so, what?

14 comments:

Terri said...

I love what you've done with your tea towels Sophie! It looks done to me. Adding a border or two would make a nice throw quilt.

Terri Coty

Paulette said...

Your strategy worked, it looks like to me! I like how those blocks carry your eye in the directions of the balloons and give an overall floating sensation. It could be done if you want it to be. I'd kinda like a touch more red (maybe in the binding?), but that could be just me!

Wendy said...

it looks wonderful! It's almost improv, or maybe it is improv, I'm not great with these terms! I think it'd look amazing with a yellow binding, but if you wanted to make it bigger, you could add borders in yellow and bind in black

Terri said...

I think a very narrow red border and then a cheddar border on the outside would finish it. It is amazing. Love the stars.
Hugs

Unknown said...

Add some cool borders...maybe three to make it to a bed size quilt!

Celine said...

Wow, Sophie I love your quilt top and I am flattered! Thanks for the reference to my little quilt. I love your hot air balloons. Funny how the Star Chain blocks look so different from one another depending on the colours you used too. I think maybe a border but then maybe not! Celine

Anonymous said...

I love what you did, and I see you DID cut apart - which I was going to do with my first one, but probably not this one. Probably. I think I'd like to see a couple of appliqued balloons in some of the larger white spaces - but that's honestly only what I'd do, and it looks fine as it is - maybe with a border of red or gold or green or blue, or whatever you like best. It really feels different from last year's doesn't it?

Glen QuiltSwissy said...

No fair. No fair. I am calling foul.

You cannot be ahead of me.

glen

Kathryn said...

I love what you done to combine your ballons with the chair star block. They make a great pair. Maybe just a border to hold in all the goodness.

Gail in Vegas said...

It's done once you add a little narrow border or binding in a dark color to hold it all together so it does not escape and fly away!

Andra Gayle said...

Absolutely fabulous! Both of my tea towels are still hanging in the sewing room, untouched but much enjoyed!

Helen Wahl said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Moira said...

Looks wonderful! Makes me want to work on mine, but I've been fighting the same kind of mind block that you did on the fairy tale towel.

Angie in SoCal said...

Looks done to me and I really like you have negative space to carry out some free motion quilting.
Congrats, Sophie!

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