Friday1961

I knew this would happen.

Yesterday I finished the last of 48 eight-inch blocks for a string quilt, using shades of red (with a few pink and purple strips) from my hoard of scraps. I was inspired by one I think I saw on this board that was very pretty. I think it had a Valentine theme -- as in heart fabric -- though mine does not. It's just red....mostly.

Today I tore away all the foundation paper...... and have been laying the blocks out: 3 four-unit blocks across, and 4 four-unit blocks down, to create twelve 16 inch blocks, for a 48x64 inch top, without borders, which I'll probably add. And I'm having the problem I knew I'd have -- deciding on placement! I know it doesn't matter that much; that's the whole idea of a string quilt, but I'm obsessed with getting colors and patterns distributed throughout. I've tinkered with it for a few hours now, moving blocks here and there, and finally just had to stop. Oh, and I've also taken photos, which I always find helpful....except, in this case: not so much.

I know that eventually, I'll just decide it's done and sew it together in whatever the last configuration happens to be......while making sure that distinctive fabrics -- in this case a red and white stripe and a solid purple -- are scattered throughout and not all bunched up on one side or in one corner or in the middle. And, when done, I'll probably be fine with it.

But this is why this kind of scrappy is not relaxing and carefree for me. I'm too much a control freak, or perfectionist....or something. Which is weird, because I love the look, I love string quilts made by others, and I love the idea of using up scraps in this way. I never make quilts from a pattern, only from quilt images I see and then plot out myself, so it's not that I need instruction. It's that my mild -- or in this case, perhaps, not so mild -- OCD makes putting the thing together stressful.

And not only that, but it's on my bed, so has to be moved before bedtime. I can't even let it "cook" for a day or two.

Anyone else have this problem? I hope I'm not the only slightly crazy one here!