Monday, March 05, 2012

Design Wall Monday #10

I finally put my Civil War blocks up on the design wall. I am hoping that it will inspire me to get going on finishing up this quilt. I have finished sewing 36 blocks, and still have about 13 blocks to sew to complete the series (minus the applique blocks).
I am not loving the spool block, or the large X, and may put those two blocks into the backing.
Since my CW last posting, I have only sewn one more block - #39 is called "Hovering Hawks". It was fun and easy to sew.
I took this project to my quilt retreat last month, but never even opened the box!
To see what other quilters are working on this week, hop over to Patchwork Times.

25 comments:

Denise :) said...

Kathy, I love all your blocks! You did a great job with these. Did you look forward to Saturday's CW post as much as I did? I found it late in the game and didn't make but a handful of the blocks before I had my surgery, but I went back through and devoured the previous posts -- what a treasure of history they were! Did you put yours up on the Flikr group as you finished yours? What a lovely piece this will be when it's finished! :)

Gari in AL said...

Quilts like this that run over so much time tend to wax and wane in my interest. I get tired of them, especially when I don't like some of the blocks. However, at some point I want that quilt done and then I am very happy I did it. This is going to be a beautiful quilt you will really be proud of.

Kathie said...

Great job on all those blocks.

Pokey said...

Such dedication! It will be a beautiful accomplishment when finished!
:-}pokey

Judy D in WA said...

I love all your blocks. Will you be doing the applique blocks at some point?

Ellen said...

You are going to have a fabulous quilt. I wanted to join in but never sadly never did.

sao said...

This is a wonderful masterpiece!

LOVE.....

sao in Midlothian, VA

Nann said...

I agree that the spool and the X are distracting. (I printed out all the CW block patterns but have yet to commit to making them. The war didn't end until 1865, so I have until 2015 to make this quilt. )

heather said...

They look great.

Janet O. said...

I love blue and brown in CW prints even more than the pink/brown combo, so this really speaks to me. The simple, bold graphics of the X and spool do stand out--I would probably do the same, and I also wouldn't do the applique blocks. The difference between us is that you actually MADE the blocks and I just kept downloading patterns and never sewing them. : )
This is going to be a gorgeous quilt!

AnnieO said...

You have done so well with your color theme and keeping up on the blocks. I like the spool and x but they do stand out a bit. 13 more to go doesn't seem like a lot but some of these blocks are pretty fiddly, right?

kwiltnkats said...

Nice civil war fabrics. The spool and the X blocks look out of proportion with the other blocks. They also don't have more than one fabric besides the background like the others do. Perhaps the other blocks yet to be made pull them in? Might be worth reconsideration once the all the blocks are together. Like how your project is coming together. Sandi

Mary said...

I too have a ways to go on this quilt. I think you could put the Spool and X blocks on opposite corners then they would maybe be a balance for the quilt. Give the eye a place to rest from all the BUSY blocks. I see you haven't made the shield yet. Use four Blocks that are the Bigger pieces in all the corners.

Jeanne said...

Your blocks look wonderful on your design board. I'm still about 23 blocks behind. You inspire me to keep pushing.

Libby said...

Love the blocks. Do you think that the two blocks you don't care for would stand out less in different fabrics (they both feature the same - maybe that's the problem)

Vivian said...

Your consistent use of the same blues, browns, and grays with the background is creating a striking quilt. I like your occasional use of floral fabrics.
The spool and X do stand out. You made several other blocks from only one fabric plus the background, but they have more open space. I think you'll be more content if you remade the spool and X using at least a couple fabrics -- or putting them as they are on the back.
Design walls are such a great way to catch this type of thing before a top goes together.

Floss said...

Great job on the blocks so far. I do agree that those two blocks do not have the same feel as the others. Hope having them up inspires you to finish.

scraphappy said...

Looking good. Surely with that many blocks done, the last few should be a piece of cake. The quilt is going to look great when it is done, well worth sticking with.

Ivani said...

Beautiful blocks! Your quilt will be gorgeous.

Merilyn said...

I just love the blue/brown combo you have chosen, all the blocks look great together! Yes, I had a problem with the large spool block too, didn't like it, so I made a block with four spools in it which looked more in keeping with the scale of the other blocks, that could be a good alternative if you can't find another block that appeals to you! I too had to make a few extra blocks, still have one more to go! Have yet to decide my layout. Goodluck with getting yours together!!

Unknown said...

Love your civil war blocks! I skipped the spool and thought about not using the X. great picture! Looking forward to seeing more as you make the other blocks.

Mary said...

I actually like the X. The spool, not so much.

This was a lot of work. I am very impressed. I am afraid I would have gotten frustrated and sewed what I had into a throw and forgot it.

Bonnie said...

great job. And, you are almost done. keep plugging away.. I'd definitely dump the spool block. X blocks were used a lot in quilts in the 1800's though. Are these from Barbara Brackmann's blog? or from a book.

Karen said...

I like that you have a controlled color combination for your blocks. They will all play well together.

Sue said...

Your CW blocks are fabulous. I love the colour combination.