Well, I've been messing around with strippy, free-pieced hearts. I have 120 green/neutral scrappy log cabin blocks that I am putting into a quilt for our bed. I thought adding hearts would personalize it a bit so it wouldn't be just another log cabin quilt. And, after all, it is a gift for my better half. (And no...not an apology for the snarky underwear wall hanging...) The blocks are 4 inches square and will finish 3.5 x 3.5.
I like the idea that they are scrappy and haphazard at best. Sort of reminds me of the human heart...our hearts are constantly broken and re-made as we go through life, stronger and stronger as we grow older.
Have you seen the movie "How to Make an American Quilt?" When making a block to represent 'where love resides' in her life, Marianna made a crazy-patched heart and talked about love being represented by a "multitude of patches." I loved that...
These are a little doinky and pointy on the sides, but once they are seamed in, that will 'round' them up a bit.
The thought of making enough of these to go around a queen/king quilt doesn't appeal to me. So I made 18 hearts- one for every year we've been married. Now I just need to figure out how to incorporate them into the design.
I'm thinking I will arrange them vertically, nine on the top left, nine on the bottom right...need to think more on that. I need to piece those 120 blocks together...ugh. I think that is my least favorite part of quilt-making...sewing all the blocks together into the top. Because they are scrappy, I need to lay the the log cabins out and make sure I like the distribution of the scraps. That takes up a lot of space, and this is going to be a HUGE quilt.
The first Valentine's Day card Steve ever gave me had a saying that I really liked and kept all these years..."Very fine is my Valentine...very fine and very mine." I'll have to put that on the label. (Or maybe letters in the borders???? I may NEVER finish this quilt as I add more and more stuff!)
In stitches (and still in love...),
Teresa :o)
The hearts are a cute idea...18 for 18 years. Neat idea to commemorate that anniversary.
ReplyDeleteThe hearts are cute. Seeing your log cabin when you started it inspired me to stop saying "someday I'll make one" and got me cutting strips. Last night I finished the first 11 blocks. Only 169 more strips to go before I can really look at the layout. Thanks for the inspiration.
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of making one heart for every year you've been married. Great boxer quilt in the last post; love how you quilted your hubby's 6 pack. LOL
ReplyDeleteI like the top left and bottom right, what about doing left & top and Right & bottom more of a corner thing? My favorite saying for wedding/anniv quilt is "Grow Old With ME, the Best is YET to BE", you could wonky piece it in the alternate corners.
ReplyDeleteYou are off a running again! Just love this idea for a special quilt.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great looking quilt (and a very good way to use up a lot of extra strips!). And I love your Valentine saying. I'm so taking it. LOL
ReplyDeleteAnother great project! I love your wonky hearts and think they will be awesome with your log cabins. Your hubby will love it! I can't wait to see how you end up piecing it together. As always, you've inspired me. :)
ReplyDeleteHow sweet. I'm not really a heart person but these ones are pretty cute.
ReplyDeleteI'm new to quilting and I LOVE this! It looks fairly easy. I wish I had time to get something like this done for MY 18th anniversary in January.
ReplyDeleteThese are lovely!
ReplyDeleteLucy from Amitie Textiles
what a fun strippy and a great way to use scraps!
ReplyDeletejust in time for Christmas -
Hey, this is really cool. I love the patchy hearts and the 18 to represent your married years. :D
ReplyDelete{Heart} those scrappy hearts...Julierose
ReplyDeleteTeresa,
ReplyDeleteI really like your hearts and the sentiment behind it. In today's world, a marriage that works is a gift! Our guys can drive us crazy at times but then I'm certain I drive mine crazy more than 10x a day so it all evens out. I'm most delighted with the phrase from your first Valentine card. THAT prose is the KEY to making your quilt a Keeper and a true gift from the heart!
Merry Christmas,
Gmama Jane