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par4theday 10-05-2011 06:22 PM

Whenever I see something that interests me, I make a block to experience it, or experiment with. They are all different color combinations because I want to see what it would look like in those colors. If I teach a class, I show the different stages as visual aid. As a result, I have all these different blocks that do not match. What is overwhelming is that I see each one as a quilt that I will eventually have to make. My question is this: How do you play around with blocks, without feeling like you have yet another quilt to finish? What would you all suggest that I could do with all of them? Does anyone else have this problem?

erstan947 10-05-2011 06:25 PM

If you really don't want a quilt made out of them post them in a give-a-way or sell them on the board. Someone would love to have them and make something with them. You could do a BOTM type quilt and use it for a charity quilt. Just some thoughts:)

hopetoquilt 10-05-2011 06:26 PM

Use some of them on the backs of quilts that you do complete. Make a sampler quilt. Make a few more blocks and create a table runner. Mat and frame some of the blocks.

luckylindy333 10-05-2011 06:27 PM

If you sash them all with a black or neutral sashing, they might make a really incredible memory quilt for you!

DM matted and framed two blocks that are in our hallway. They make really nice artwork.

We want to see them!!! :lol:

JT 10-05-2011 06:27 PM

Maybe you might want to make them in similar colors, or all scrappy. That way they could be made into a quilt in the future.

QuiltE 10-05-2011 06:31 PM

2 Attachment(s)

Originally Posted by JT
Maybe you might want to make them in similar colors, or all scrappy. That way they could be made into a quilt in the future.

Agree they can become what I call a Modern Sampler, by combining all different shapes and sizes. While they don't match now, you might be able to find a fabric or two (or more) that you could use to link them together.

Here's a quilt I made, based on a pattern. This is what I mean by a Modern Sampler, and you really don't need a pattern ... it's just a consolidation!

purplemem 10-05-2011 06:32 PM

We have a woman who collects these at Stashbusters (a yahoo group) and makes them into beautiful quilts, she can combine things we never think of. Then she donates them to Des Moines area charities.

I like the idea also of making them in a colorway that can be used a lot...your favorites, or all fall colors, or all pastels...

I have framed beautiful blocks in glass frames that have no outside edge so the block is the feature.

Tartan 10-05-2011 06:32 PM

Make tablerunners, candle mats, wallhangings etc. Christmas is coming and you'll be ahead on your gifts. If you can't bear to part with them, put them in a nice Pizza box and add them to your UFO shelf. Write the date on the box and if you haven't done anything with them in a year, think about putting them up on QB for someone else to finish.

MsEithne 10-05-2011 06:33 PM


Originally Posted by par4theday
Whenever I see something that interests me, I make a block to experience it, or experiment with. They are all different color combinations because I want to see what it would look like in those colors. If I teach a class, I show the different stages as visual aid. As a result, I have all these different blocks that do not match. What is overwhelming is that I see each one as a quilt that I will eventually have to make. My question is this: How do you play around with blocks, without feeling like you have yet another quilt to finish? What would you all suggest that I could do with all of them? Does anyone else have this problem?

Wow, I would LOVE to have this problem!

What a great resource you have! Don't put them into quilts, keep them as samples. Maybe attach a note to the back of each block with info about what you'd repeat from that block and what you'd change. If you want to, protect your samples by binding them with a neutral binding (or overcast the edges with a neutral shade of thread).

Put them into a container with a lid on it, so you can get at them easily, pull them out, look at them, try different colour schemes against each other, etc.

A handweaver's sample book becomes one of their most useful resources. You have the foundation for the same thing, necessarily larger because block samples have to be larger than most weavijng samples.

By keeping samples, you have a table top sized reference, much easier to play with than whole quilts would be.

par4theday 10-05-2011 07:06 PM


Originally Posted by QuiltE

Originally Posted by JT
Maybe you might want to make them in similar colors, or all scrappy. That way they could be made into a quilt in the future.

Agree they can become what I call a Modern Sampler, by combining all different shapes and sizes. While they don't match now, you might be able to find a fabric or two (or more) that you could use to link them together.

Here's a quilt I made, based on a pattern. This is what I mean by a Modern Sampler, and you really don't need a pattern ... it's just a consolidation!

That is a beautiful quilt!! I knew someone would help me out, this is a great idea. TY

PaperPrincess 10-05-2011 07:09 PM

I would recommend this book:
http://www.amazon.com/Setting-Soluti...7870442&sr=1-1

setting solutions, by By Sharyn Craig. Lots of ideas on how to combine blocks into a cohesive project.

dublb 10-05-2011 07:17 PM

I've just started making potholders out of my samples. I have a lot of worn out washrags that I'm using as batting! This way I can play & reuse my washrags.:)

blueangel 10-05-2011 08:41 PM

Make table mats or runers.

craftybear 10-05-2011 09:11 PM

Wow, you could make sampler quilts, potholders, mug rugs, table runners

have fun!

ckcowl 10-06-2011 03:37 AM

sampler blocks made with many different fabrics/colors can be used together- just choose a fabric that will pull them all together- like black or white- if you sashed each one (or window framed) them all with the same background fabric you could put them all together in the same quilt....or sort them so you have ones that are (kind of ) alike---same color feel- or style and make a couple different quilts- and you do not have to be limited to black or white- a blue- a yellow- anything=as long as it is the same for all of them it will pull them together

QuiltE 10-06-2011 05:22 PM


Originally Posted by blueangel
Make table mats or runers.

Placemats too!

jaciqltznok 10-06-2011 05:25 PM

I was always taught to make "trial/practice" blocks in Christmas fabrics...that way you can make a few gifts out of them when the time comes!

LeslieFrost 10-06-2011 05:30 PM


Originally Posted by jaciqltznok
I was always taught to make "trial/practice" blocks in Christmas fabrics...that way you can make a few gifts out of them when the time comes!

Well now! Isn't that an interesting idea!

My other thought is this: Get rid of that idea that you MUST do something with these blocks. Work on excising it from your brain. You made those for a purpose, and their purpose was achieved, so, no need to feel guilty! You can keep them forever in their present condition, if that's the way that your life works out. Or, you can do something with some or all of them, when you feel inspired. Life is too short to spend much time feeling guilty!!

SMR 10-06-2011 05:34 PM

Maybe tote bags using 2 blocks with similar or same colors for front and back

LisaGibbs 10-07-2011 07:19 AM

Put them together as a quilt anyway. I am sure that there is a charity that would be thankful for a quilt regardless of the scrappy look that it would have.


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