Enjoying - or Just Want it Finished?
 

Some time ago I started making ‘house’ blocks from scraps and promised myself every time I finished a quilt I would make more houses from the scraps until I had enough for a little quilt - of course this never happened!

Recently I came across the 30 or so house blocks I had made and decided it was time I did something with them so I made a centre panel and am now busy putting a border around.

Its coming along nicely and will be a charity quilt - but I just want it finished.

The trouble is once this is out of the way I have to make a baby quilt for my cousin’s friend but I just don’t fancy making it. The mum-to-be has asked for grey, white and mustard and that’s not a colour combination I like - especially as there are so many gorgeous baby fabrics out there that I would love to play with! I’ve bought a pack of grey, white and mustard 5 inch pre-cuts and they are going into a very basic design - just want it done and gone!

Anyone else in a similar situation?

My husband was trying to mend a zipper in a grandson’s coat on Sunday - he agrees with you!

When I was a new mother I would never have thought of requesting specific colors for a baby gift. Of course then baby colors were pink, blue, yellow, white, or maybe pale green. I think I miss the old days. The colors now are more for the parents and their idea of room decor than for the child. It's not that I think grey, white and mustard will be unattractive, but I don't understand a mother who wants to surround the baby with only those colors. I would have a hard time getting excited about making that quilt too, especially for the friend of a cousin. Maybe I'm just in a surly mood today.

Moira,
Not too long ago I had the same request for a baby quilt, gray, mustard and white. So I searched out gray and yellow pieces of fabric. Cut them into different size stripes going up and down, took pieces of white and sewed between. I did find lots of different pieces of fabric with polka dots, zig zags and stripes which helped make it more baby like. What finally made it cute, found an elephant applique, made it out of gray and white polka dots, did raw edge applique with dk gray thread. Quilted little hearts all over and crossed my fingers mom would like it. She loved it and I was happy to be done with the gray and yellow. Do have to admit that I found some cute prints with gray & yellow. Just a suggestion that might help.
Peace, Brenda

I'm with you. I just found out we owe $1800 to the IRS for an incorrect return, due within 30 days. Our homeowner's insurance has denied our claim for leaky flashing around our chimney, and my husband's ER bills have just started coming in. Let's go get a couple of margaritas and forget the world for a few hours!

To the OP - I'm with you, I'd have a hard time with those colors, baby quilt or not. Can you go for mostly white and gray, with the mustard as an accent? That might be easier to work on. Or maybe install a colored light bulb in your work area so the mustard doesn't look mustard-y? :D

I think in this case, a quick and simple pattern might be best.

Usually, whatever I work on is for myself. Oh, it may be gifted when done, but the making of it is bc I want to do it! A couple of times I've had requests that I didn't care for - one was for our older daughter - and it was like pulling teeth to get myself to finish that thing. It's like the Marie Kondo principle for sewing: If it doesn't bring joy, get rid of it, lol.

Peckish, so sorry to hear that you are having one of those weeks. It's been going around here, too. Our neighbor, 53, died after a sudden bout of heart problems and surgery. And family drama. Plus I hate that by 3:15, I have to turn lights on.

Margarita's for all!

My oldest Granddaughter made it pretty easy. She picked out about a dozen colors. A fabric I already had had most of them in it. I put prairie points around the quilt and she loved it. She will use it when her baby gets older as I make crib size because baby grows fast and little quilts get too small too fast.

If you don't love the colors, then find a pattern that excites you and make it more enjoyable that way. I also have made reversible quilts, so that I can do the boring front side as requested but then do something funky and different on the back. two quilts in one!

I have used a fabric from a line called Bunnies By the Bay that is grays, yellow and white. It is childlike and also fit the mother's call for the trendy color pallet. I liked it so much I have made two baby quilts using the fabric and have enough fabric scraps for one more.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]619917[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]619918[/ATTACH]

I rarely ask about colors when making a baby quilt - I love bright colors and usually use child like primary colored fabrics. It has to be happy looking! Often make baby quilts for new grandmas - every baby needs a quilt at grandma’s house in my opinion. And the grandmas are always thrilled.

I've 'made to order' several quilts for family/friends - from baby to queen - using fabrics or even a pattern that I do not like and have struggled to get thru them - especially, the new/trendy color combinations. However, all the angst is forgotten once I see how much my recipient loves what I've made for them :o

Better than gifting something of your color/design choice and find it's never been used (that's happened to me too!)

I just finished a baby quilt also where they requested soft, restful colors of gray, white and pale aqua. The print I found had little bits of mustard yellow too. I did use a simple pattern of large sashed block alternating with 9P. I grew fonder of the colors as I worked and liked the end result.

Oh boy do I hear you all! I started a queen size quilt last April for my Son and future daughter-in-law who are getting married in April 2020. I started with high hopes and lots of time. I made the 30 blocks and have battled it the whole time. Turns out, when sewn together, they didn't really line up. But I can't just dump it. So I've changed course to a bed runner and pillows. But as of right now, I just want it done so I can stop obsessing because time is running out! LOL! I'm a newer quilter and still have much to learn:)

Is it a block pattern that you can add sashing to so that nothing touches each other? All touch only the sashing. That's an easy way to fix non matching points.

I just finished the binding of the 4th quilt that I've been working on for the last few years. They are all alike. They are made from scraps from my dads shirts and my moms dresses and shirts. The quilt is double sided with moms on one side and dads on the other. I'm very happy with the results.

I've named them The Square Dancers and they will be given to my adult children this Christmas. Mom and dad were square dancers thus the name. I also made the same quilt for me. It has been sandwiched and basted and is waiting to be quilted. I honestly don't know when the quilting will take place. Hopefully I'll get my longarm before too long and can use that. I'd have to undo and redo the quilt for that procedure but that is another story so back to this one.

I enjoyed this adventure in the beginning but I am so happy and glad that 4 of them are done! I got to the point I just wanted them done! And I will joyously give them up. I will not take on another project of this magnitude!

I have had requests for quilts to make out of colors I just don't like working on. You are smart to just do a simple pattern and it will be just as beautiful even tho you don't want to use those colors. Good luck on your new project

I have learned to closely guard my sewing time. If anyone other than my DH/mother/sister (and one other woman friend who I need to do for occasionally for other reasons) asks me about sewing something, I decline even if it is awkward to do so. Even if it embarrasses me momentarily.

I have explained to co-workers, neighbors, and friends that my sewing is for stress relief and play time only, and that only certain projects are restful to me. They might find that strange, but I work long, stressful hours, and I can't let other people's stuff intrude on the only quiet, peaceful time that I have. I am very happy to buy them a quilt if they are in need.

Some gifts I make, but only if it is a project and fabrics that I am excited to work on. If not, I buy something appropriate instead. I could enjoy working on baby quilts in the newer color combos mentioned above. But if Mom-to-be wants an NFL team print on the quilt, or pretty much any commercial theme like that, I will order it ready made to please her. But not in my sewing room, lol.

Moira, I haven't been in your situation...... yet.
My granddaughter's Mom (my DIL) loves pink! So I was thrilled that she wanted pinks and colors that are quite girlish.
However, if she wanted black and orange (my least fav colors haha) I would have struggled through but only for her.
I detest working with fabric I don't like! I guess I'm surly on a daily basis :D

I like the idea someone gave you about doing a fun pattern. That would help. Good luck! At least baby quilts are small.

Yep, been there, done that, got the T-shirt, wore it out!! I do ask some folks to pick up 6 paint color cards of their favorite colors I'm making something special for them. (it has to be a family member or close friend) Like a wedding quilt. Baby quilts - I make what I want. Of course I'm not in business so I don't have to do any quilt I really don't like. LOL

I think making the house blocks a really nice idea!
For baby quilts I would try two things. First check out Quiltmaker magazine - my public library has it. They almost always have baby quilt patterns. Also, look at Elizabeth Hartman's patterns. She has many that are really adorable.
I love them all.