Monday, December 3, 2007

Quilter's Depression, Part II: The Grandma Quilt

And they just keep getting worse.

Here's the original plan for the Grandma Quilt (for Charles's Grandma, who likes all things Asian, has a soon-to-be mint-green-themed room, and needs a warm blanket):

Flannel back with brown background, tiny flowers, and mint-green leaves. Wool batting. Both to preserve the requirement of warm.
Front made of Asian-themed cotton fabrics that can easily be washed and not fall apart. I found these fabrics at the Quilt Expo a few weeks ago, and they made me giddy. They still do.

So, this weekend I sat down to the task of designing the quilt top. I laid all the fabrics out and auditioned them against each other. What would be the best way to arrange them? Which fabrics should go next to each other? Which fabrics should NOT go next to each other? How could I make the most use of the fabrics and let their lushness speak for themselves? I came up with a relatively simple design, and couldn't wait until I was able to finish it.

I started piecing the top, and all looked promising.


Until I ran out of fabric. Somehow I made a miscalculation, I cut perpendicular to the selvage when I should have cut the other way. Looking back on it, though, I wonder if even that would have helped to have cut in a different direction. I just seriously miscalculated the amount of fabric I had.

So, I tried to get on the Internet and find the fabric I was needing, and have it sent to me. But, no matter how long I searched, how hard I toiled, the fabric was not to be found on the Internet. Just like the wedding dress I tried on at House of Brides in Schaumburg, it appears that the fabric I have in my possession doesn't exist. Just like I did when I found the dress, I went to the designer's website and tried to find it. No dice.

If it weren't for the fact that I actually have the fabric in my hot little hands, I would think I had merely dreamt it into being. What is this talent I have for finding and falling in love with non-existent designs?

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