Monday, June 10, 2019

The boomerang quilt

     I admitted defeat. After hanging onto the paper pieced nightmare, Sea Urchin, having tormented me for over 4 years, I gave it away to the twins at Chasen Dreams. They are very experienced Niemeyer paper piecers. I figured I would never see it again as they give away a copious amounts of quilts to all kinds of causes.
     When I went to deliver the Gold Star quilts, I was shocked to find they had pieced all the blocks and gave them back to me all numbered. They said it was the hardest quilt of hers they had ever done. Yikes. How do I repay them?
     I sewed the whole thing together and have mixed emotions. I love the fabric that I chose. I love the colors. I don't love that I was a failure at completing it. I paper pieced about half of it. I know I can quilt it, but if I keep it will it always taunt me?
 

13 comments:

A Left-Handed Quilter said...

Only if you let it - LOL. I see a quilt that you love. You love the fabric that you chose - you love the colors. You may not have pieced all of it - but you have good friends who helped you out - and if it was hard for them - with all of their "experience" - why are you so hard on yourself? It got done - with a little help from your friends - so go quilt it already - LOL - ;))

Vicki W said...

Oh heck no! Quilt it and love it! Boxes of chocolate wouldn't be out of order for your piecing angels!

Joyce Carter said...

OH MY GOODNESS, LINDA!! It is spectacular! You must finish it. If it was that hard for the experienced ladies to do, then you should be proud of doing what you managed to do. A job well done I think. So finish it and enjoy it. You have earned the right.

Debbie said...

It is your choice how you let this affect you. Chose wisely....choose to love it, hold it up as a work of love and collaboration. Buy them FQs and a new pair of snips, and then throw chocolate at them to make it sweet! Just kidding about throwing. The quilt is a beauty!

Deanna said...

You helped me finish a quilt once. And I bet I am not the only one you have helped. It is much easier for many of us to give help than to receive it. Count it a blessing of kindness and remember their service.

Give back by paying it forward.

Gene Black said...

No, it can comfort you in that when you can't do some particular thing, there are others who can - AND they are good kind people. If you look at it that way, you can rejoice in it.


As for the twins, be snoopy, find something they love, that will be a complete surprise and gift it to them. The joy in that will also help you to rejoice in the quilt.

Gwen said...

Wow! That's an amazing story! Gorgeous quilt. Definitely quilt it and keep it. Though the story is part frustration, it is also a story of kindness and generosity. I'd definitely do something special for the twins!

Quiltdivajulie said...

I agree with the others - be happy that it is now a top and treat it as a gorgeous collaborative effort. And I am sure you will find a surprise way to show your appreciation to the twins — perhaps not today but one day soon.

The Joyful Quilter said...

What an incredible gift!! A friend recently did the same for a bee mate. Finished the piecing and handed the quilt top back to the original owner. Happy quilting, whatever you decide to do with the completed quilt!

Mystic Quilter said...

Just do it!! Does it matter that you didn't complete paper piecing all the blocks -no, kind fairies helped and that's fine. Quilt it and enjoy your glorious quilt.

Elizabeth V Kelbaugh said...

I understand your doubts but it is striking, I would find it VERY difficult to part with. You should feel better that your expert paper-piecing friends said it was challenging for them. Hope you can enjoy quilting it and come to love it.

Cheryl's Teapots2Quilting said...

Oh it's lovely! I understand your doubts. That quilt needs to be appreciated!

Kayster said...

Oh no! Now I’m scared. I have this pattern. I started it five years ago and it’s been in a drawer since then.
I need to get it out and bite the bullet. You’ve inspired me ������
Kay