Monday, November 17, 2008

The Center Block

I pieced this block using Martha Greens' Carny Roadside Attraction method of crazy piecing. The funny story is that I have been sort of procrastinating getting started on it but it was calling to me. So I took the stuff everywhere I went. So when I went to pull out the fabrics to start, I had all these "chunks" that I had already pieced BY HAND. I must have been somewhere without a machine and just decided to start piecing. I have no memory of doing it.. well a faint memory because they are sewn together with silamide. Sometimes this memory stuff scares me as I can still clearly remember walking into my first grade class and sitting next to a girl who shall remain nameless who looked at me and said, "
"You think you are cute, but you're not!" But I cannot remember piecing these fabrics. Nevertheless, there were in the bag so I started piecing using both machine and then laying them down and pinning them following the natural curve in some of the pieces. I thought some curves would add movement and an 'oceany' feel. I added these mermaids from a fabric I have nurtured for several years. I used them in some journal quilts a few years ago and then tucked them away in the stash. Occasionally, they swim to the surface and jump onto a project The only thing I wish was different about them is that some were turned in other directions. And it wouldn't hurt to have some ethnic diversity among them. There must be some brunette, redhead, or dreadlocked/afro-wearin' mermaids somewhere in the world!?!?!?!?!? (insert smiley face here)

6 comments:

Kay said...

I had to laugh about your first grade story, and not remembering the piecing. Lovely work, Willa.

Willa said...

Yep and it went downhill from there..LOL! I had a target on my forehead that said, Bullies attack here!

sharonb said...

Love the look of this - it will be a real pleasure to see it embellished.

allie aller said...

I love the way the mermaids look...it is like something has caught all of their attention! That block came out swimmingly, too.

Susan said...

Love your Mermies! Great block, and I totally identify with that memory thing. I think it's that the older memories have a well-worn track that is a lot harder to erase than the more recent ones! That's my theory, and I'm stickin' with it. I look forward to seeing the stitching you do on this.

Anonymous said...

Hi Willa,
Your mermaid CQ is terrific!
Just because the mermaids have blonde hair on the fabric doesn't mean you can't embellish or paint over the hair until you get it the way you want it. How about colonial knots, bullions, or even couched fibers?