Tidal Pool Finish

       One of the teachers our guild booked BC (Before Covid) was Marlous Carter. She did a class with her pattern, Tidal Pool.  I like my choice of colors much better.
     I had cut a stack of batiks to use and made the quilt with them. The curves are cut free hand and the curve centers are swapped between blocks. She showed us how to sew these curves by first making some practice blocks that I have yet to sew into a table runner.

     In my great closet cleanup caper, I made a backing for this quilt and then loaded it on the longarm. I changed up the center curve motifs in every block and kept the other quilting consistent. I used a Glide blue on top and Glide 60 Mocha in the bobbin- great bobbin thread. 

Detail

Back

      I decided to gather scraps of batik bindings and make a scrappy binding for this one and I think it worked out perfectly. Yes, another finish! I don't know how long it will be here until I receive another comfort quilt referral.

Tidal Pool contained

     I am not going to call this Tidal Pool anymore as I used the pattern as inspiration, but did not copy it exactly. It looks like Crayon Circle Scribbles, so that is its name.
     When it came time to assemble all the 8 1/2" unfinished blocks, I was going to web the construction as usual. However, I saw that Lynne remarked that hers was a bit ungainly to manage and I remember that stage. I thought if I assemble the blocks into 4 patches completing a circle block, it would be easier to web. Then, I remembered the Left Handed quilter showing how she webbed from the left vertical long row instead of the top. Since this quilt was longer than wide, I tried that and then I only had a few short row seams to sew. So, blog friends helped in trying a new way to construct a quilt. Thank you.

The blocks sewn into 4 patches first

All sewn up. A border maybe? 2 1/2" strip scraps around the edge?

     I have no idea yet how to quilt it and it doesn't matter as my longarm is still hostage under drop cloths although I can hear the laminate floor being banged together underneath me as I type.

Tidal Pool on the wall

     I was able to cut and sew the remaining batik squares and get all the blocks up on the wall. They remind me of crayon scribble circles. Maybe I should name it that. The first photo is how they were just plopped in their parking space, the second is a couple of tweaks I already made. I think I will have to look at it for a while to decide what to move. Fun time making them. 

Tidal Pool on the wall continues

     I have a good chunk done, but I need about 14 more sets of batiks to finish the 4 x 5 circle layout. It is quirky, but I like it. Yes, I know the top right block is positioned wrong. Saw it when I posted the photo. Corrected now. This won't be the final layout, just a parking place for the blocks until they are all done. Lots to change.

Scattered Shots

     Finding it real hard to concentrate these days. In the face of so much fear, unrest, nastiness, and loss, I am sort of numb. I have tried to work in fits and starts, but no momentum. I miss people. I am not an introvert. 
     The long arm is out of commission as the basement is being remodeled to make it a bright and happy place. 
     I did try Bonnie Hunter's new Leader and Ender, the Shoo Fly Block, but after a few blocks, it is not singing to me. I will make some of her new Leader/Ender blocks.

     Then I used leftover pieces to try a new idea with skinny neutrals among leftover pieced strips. 8 1/2" blocks unfinished. I like the look, but don't know where it is going. Should I continue or not? Don't know.

     Then I pulled out pieces for a quilt called Tidal Pool by Marlous Carter. Our guild had her as a guest teacher over a year ago, and the cut squares have been languishing in a bag. I sewed a bunch and put them on the wall. I can cut and sew these without thinking, so for now I am working on this. 
     Trying to work out of the funk. If I was a musician, I would be singing blues, but a quilter, hmm.