Wednesday 6 June 2012

WiP – Random Rainbows

 
Late last year I joined my first ever quilting bee! Waited anxiously for January to arrive so I could get started making blocks for that first Queen Bee. January arrived, along with the chosen pattern and colours. Suddenly the anxiety increased, but with nerves, not with excitement! I practiced sewing 1/4" seams and measuring them, rinse and repeat about 5 times. It took me a stupid amount of time to complete my block. I was terrified my block wouldn't work out just right! So it's been like that each month since.

Until May. My month! Whew! Take a load off. No worries - packages arrive in the mail for me - woohoo! All I have to do is sew it all together! But unfortunately there were a few hassles with my tutorial and more experienced quilters than I were worried about the resulting chopped off triangle points in my chosen block. It made me sad. I looked a bit like this :( except with a nose. I didn't want people worrying over making my blocks perfect - I was just thrilled they were making them!

I've pointed out more than once on this blog, I am Really not about perfection with my quilting (to emphasise that required bold, underline and a Capital letter - that's how really not!) . If I were, I'd never get anything done. I'd be spending all my time unpicking, (probably swearing some choice swear words and I know some good ones!) and would probably not go back to sewing at all. I know not everyone is like this, but this is my approach.

Anyways the lovely girls in my bee persisted with my block and I received a whole bunch of blocks in the mail throughout May. I am so pleased that they stuck with it, chopped off points and all! Because look what gorgeousness resulted!
Random rainbows 1Look at those bright happy cheerful colours! I didn’t even have to edit that photo – that’s how perfect those colours and blocks are! Doesn’t that make you smile? It makes me smile. I look like this :) but with a nose. Now really – are you worrying about chopped off triangle points? I’m not. I’m revelling in the gorgeous bright rainbow colours that make my quilty heart sing.
Random rainbows up closeI’m enjoying the fact that 11 other lovely girls helped me make a beautiful quilt. I’m not paying attention to whether their seams were exactly 1/4”. I’m not caring if some edges were uneven (I don’t even know if they were, I didn’t look, that’s how much I’m not caring in my love of a gorgeous quilt).
Random Rainbows stained glassI’m picturing a little kids face when they received this rainbow of deliciousness and realise this quilt is just for them. This quilt has a big destiny! It’s going to Angels for the Forgotten – an Aussie charity that works with children in foster care and crisis. I know that the recipient of this probably won’t even notice any tiny sewing errors (if there are any! Again, I didn’t check. Hello rainbow loveliness).    
Random Rainbows quilting
So all this to say – thank you to the bee girls who persisted with my block, trials and tribulations and all. I’m sorry if it caused you worry and hassle. I Very much appreciate your efforts!

And if you join a bee, ease up on the pressure on yourself. I bet the Queen Bee for that month is not going to be examining your block with a magnifying glass and a 1/4” seam checker (if such a thing exists!). Have fun and smile knowing that you helped someone make a fabulous quilt!
Random Rainbows 2This was completely not the post I intended to write for this quilt at all! I planned to tell you about this new fab rainbow WiP! About the blocks, how I have already picked a backing, binding, basted (three B’s!) and quilted this beauty and how it just needs the binding (a lovely light grey) added. So no, not the post I intended. What can I say? The rainbow made me do it. :)

Linking this up at WiP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced, and hope it'll be an FO by the end of the week! :)


25 comments:

  1. That quilt is gorgeous! I can't see any chopped off points, but like you say - not even looking, its too pretty for that to even matter!

    ReplyDelete
  2. pretty pretty pretty!
    So glad to hear that after all the stress it has caused you, your quilt is turning out so beautifully!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Gorgeous! I'm a sucker for a rainbow quilt :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Wow, your quilt is wonderful. I'm touched that you are doing something for children in care .. too often they are overlooked. xox J

    ReplyDelete
  5. I have joined two quilting bees in the last couple of weeks and I am already panicking about my seams! I haven't even picked the fabrics for the blocks (another cause for concern!). So, great to hear that your Bee mates came up trumps for you, the quilt is such a happy quilt, just like your Bee. Just read the post on Lily's Quilts about setting up a Bee, echoing the importance of making friends over perfect seams in Bee blocks. Sounds like you have achieved that and have a quilt that will mean a lot to its eventual recipient. Well done!

    ReplyDelete
  6. that's lovely quilt! I like your approach, I feel the same way.

    ReplyDelete
  7. It is beautiful!
    You know... I am no in this to win any awards, I do this because it is fun, and relaxing! I, too think that if you get all bent out of shape about cutting off points and 'perfection' you are just going to HATE what you are doing!

    ReplyDelete
  8. That is going to brighten some child's disrupted life and that's what makes that quilt just glow. A lovely post Kristy.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Beautiful quilt! I am sure it will brighten a child's day/evening

    ReplyDelete
  10. It was definitely worth the effort, because it's bright and beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  11. How wonderful that looks! All your hard work definitely paid off...what a great feeling! xx

    ReplyDelete
  12. It is really so pretty! Kudos to your group. I just joined my very first Bee, and I am way more concerned about what I'll make for them than I am about what they'll make for me!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Beautiful quilt! I love that you are donating it too, you are right, the lucky kid that receives this will not see any imperfections!

    ReplyDelete
  14. It's beautiful. And you're right it is a bright, happy quilt. This quilt is certainly going to brighten some young person's day and wrap them in the love of all those who made it.

    ReplyDelete
  15. So bright and pretty, and I'm glad it's got a great destination! I salute and second your "let perfection go" mantra. Somehow, it all comes together in the end, just like this. And you're right-- those kids could absolutely not care about that less, but will love having something beautiful of their own.

    ReplyDelete
  16. It turned out beautiful!! I love rainbow quilts. I feel the same way about perfection! Everything always comes together in the end. The kid who gets this is going to love having their own special quilt!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Love your quilt! I feel the same way and have not had the courage yet to join a bee. Great job!!

    ReplyDelete
  18. this is great. i love rainbow! sounds like it is going to have a wonderful new home

    ReplyDelete
  19. That looks great! The colours are so bright an summery!
    Imperfect always gives it that more personal touch =D


    I'm having a giveaway on my blog. Feel free to stop by and enter (if you haven't already) =D
    http://ibescheraldine.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/official-150th-post-giveaway.html

    ReplyDelete
  20. The quilt looks beautiful, lovely and colourful! You made me laugh about quilting bee perfection. I've been anxious about my Bee blocks, including one improv block that looked like something someone stepped on! Hooray, July is my month!
    I'll keep your remarks in mind!

    ReplyDelete
  21. I love this quilt. I love that you said you were not a perfectionist. I am with you, I would have a seam ripper in hand all the time. LOL Thanks for dropping by my blog and leaving all the lovely comments!
    Amy

    ReplyDelete
  22. well said kristy - and i was one of the biggest moaners about chopped off points - you're so right!! it looks beautiful by the way :)

    ReplyDelete
  23. Isn't it funny how even experienced quilters worry about making blocks for someone else?
    Love your rainbow quilt!

    ReplyDelete
  24. It's funny, from a distance it looks like batik fabrics, I think because of the variation of prints you used. Very colorful and fun!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Your quilt does make me smile! It was a great design choice.

    ReplyDelete

Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a comment. I read each and every word! I'll do my best to reply to them either via email or here on the blog, when time permits!