Monday, September 19, 2016

Weekend Surprises!

 My son and his girlfriend has been traveling since February and the last I knew he was in Denmark. Then they showed up on Sunday at the house and surprised us!! Again, sewing got pushed to the back burner.
But, before their arrival I was pulling fabric for the final border of my Gwennie Inspired Medallion. All of these has too much brown, not enough gray.

The piece at the top made the cut, but I didn't have enough so I grabbed a piece that was similar and continued with it. I very rarely ever have a problem doing this and like the unexpected in my quilts. My stash is mostly scraps too, so I do this often. The more I do it the easier it gets. What about you? Do you mind making substitutes? Or do you have to find a piece that is large enough?

Have a wonderful week!

24 comments:

  1. How wonderful that you got a chance to see your son again after so long. It must have been a happy surprise.

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  2. LOVE making substitutes, just as our foremothers would have done. Today's quilter will waste 2 weeks searching the Internet for a fat quarter of something they "need", just use what you have!

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  3. Cute couple! Love your pretty fabric ♥

    summerdaisycottage.blogspot.com

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  4. Yeah! I was wondering why so quiet yesterday. Happy that they are here!!!!

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  5. Yeah! I was wondering why so quiet yesterday. Happy that they are here!!!!

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  6. I like working with color rather than fabric. I will intentionally select a variety of fabrics that are similar in color, but I will try to keep the fabric consistent within a block (gotta have some control, after all). I am getting better about substituting when necessary, though. I do tend to select fabrics that speak the same language -- all repros or all modern, e.g. -- but I'm even getting looser in that area, as well.

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  7. I learned a very valuable lesson a few years ago about not having the " perfect" fabric. I was at a retreat and making teeny, tiny flying geese. They were going wonky when I sewed them together as the seams were so thick. I decided to paper piece so they wouldn't stretch and stay straight. I made a few and realized that I was out if the medium and dark greens that I was using. The only fabric that I had that was green was this rather bright chartreuse. I used it and it literally made my project POP! No more maychy,match your for me! I think that the wild cards make the project!

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  8. It depends on the quilt but I usually try to use the same fabric for the border !
    I'm glad your son's at your home ! What a fun surprise for you !

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  9. That's the kind of surprises I love. They make a cute couple.
    I don't mind substitutes. Make do with what you have. It makes the quilt even more interesting and makes the viewer ask questions; was it on purpose? she ran out of fabric? has she done this elsewhere in the quilt? Can't wait to see your last border. Enjoy! ;^)

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  10. Oh, the scrappier the better. I can't wait to see what you come up with!

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  11. What a fantastic surprise!! I look forward to seeing your Gwennie inspired border. I confess, I usually shop for border fabrics...

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  12. Great looking couple!
    It depends. I have made substitutions on many quilts. If it is a really scrappy quilt, I don't mind. But sometimes it just doesn't seem to work and I have to hunt for something that does work that is "enough."

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  13. I don't like making substitutions but have done it....and it does get easier the more you do it.
    Where is your son heading to next?

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  14. How awesome that Kenny showed up unannounced. What a great surprise!! Where are they off to next??

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  15. My!! What a handsome son you have!! With a surprise like that it was only right to push away the sewing for another day. (big smile)

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  16. I have learned to buy less of each fabric to encourage the making of substitutions - I like the way they add character to each project.

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  17. What a special surprise!

    It depends on the quilt, whether I m okay with subbing or not. That said, since I don t have a huge fabric stash and almost never buy more than a half yard, or less, I am often in the position of having to sub whether I like it or not. Probably no one who will see my quilts wil care so I just do what I can, and makes me happy.

    PS What about going bright on this border, to echo the bright center?

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  18. What a wonderful surprise and nice that you could spend time with them.
    I use scraps and full pieces, depends on what I am making, but my favorite quilts are the ones where I make do.

    Debbie

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  19. I'll substitute. In fact, I love the challenge of going to my stash and finding the "perfect" (almost) match. What a lovely surprise having your son come home when you thought he was in another country. The sewing can wait, right? They make a lovely couple.

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  20. Getting better at making substitutions. But it is really hard

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  21. What a terrific surprise. Depends on the project how much control I have to have!

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  22. What a fabulous surprise! Great photo of the cute couple.
    Ha ha - I use substitutes all the time and love the whimsy they provide.

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  23. ooops, my computer was set on my daughters google profile - it was me

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  24. What a great surprise from you son and his girlfriend! So, a question. Have you already decided exactly what you'll do for the next medallion border or are you just now getting started and playing around. It's interesting to me to learn how other quilters work, especially on something like this liberated medallion.
    --Nancy. (ndmessier @ aol.com, joyforgrace.blogspot.com)

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