what do you make?
 

What do you make when you need to make a comfort quilt for a friend who's only interests are blacksmithing and watching TV? How about a blacksmith?

My circle got out of round when I pressed it and I am not sure if I should try to fix it or not. Any suggestions? I haven't stitched it down yet, won't until I decide whether to leave it or mess with it. lol

I bet he loves it!

It looks good to me - if it is a wall hanging then one might notice, but if it is for a quilt and to be used, no one will notice.

I think it looks great the way it is. You will not notice it after it is quilted. Good job...

Nice concept - did you draw it yourself? I wish I could draw like that! Great idea.

Not noticeable to the average viewer - don't mention it! It's a wonderful idea.

Wow! Very creative!

Leave it! Great quilt. Really unique.

Looks great. Very creative.

Looks like the perfect blacksmith to me!

It looks fantastic to me!!

Looks great! Love your choice of fabric.
I'd leave it. As mentioned. You'll never notice after it's quilted.

Watson

simply beautiful

Wow! What a thoughtful quilt

I wish, too, LOL. I found it in Google images. All I had to do was reproduce it in a larger size which I did using graph paper. This is going to be the focal square of the quilt. I also found an image that showed the different colors of the heated metal to work it at the forge. My design is to take fabrics of those colors and reproduce that chart. This block of the blacksmith will probably be placed at the top left of the chart, however, I will play around with it's placement before I make the final decision. I could also put it in the center, but the chart will be rectangular and this block is square.

Looks great!!!!

Magnificent emblem with excellent color choice for the background.

I would leave it as is. I think it looks great. Particularly after you are done quilting..no one will ever notice 'out of round'. Nice of you to do this.

It looks terrific Linda! I think it is just fine the way it is. Only you know you intended it to be a circle.

I think it looks amazing! I'd go with it the way it is.

What a great block! It will be perfect.

Great job Linda! If it bugs you then change it.

What you could do is 'needle turn" the sides in a little and stabilize with pins til you stitch it the way you want but blacksmiths rarely start out with a perfect piece. That's why they forge it to their liking or as close as they can get it.

Anxious to see when finished.

I think the applique you've created is fantastic! It doesn't look out of round at all to me. What an awesome idea!

That's going to be a beautiful quilt made especially for your friend. I really like the design. I say leave the circle alone. I like quilts that are not perfect as it truly shows they are homemade. I think sometimes a quilt can be so "perfect" that it's hard to tell if it is really handmade. Besides, once it's quilted & washed you will never see if it's out of round or not. I can't wait to see the finished results.

I think it looks great as it is and also agree that once it's quilted, you won't notice it. But not only that, I think being a bit out of round contributes to a hand-wrought iron type of appearance, so I don't think I'd do anything to change it.

How big is that square?

I had to stare to see what you were referring to so let it go. Absolutely brilliant work and as a wall quilt I would think he'd love it along with anyone who sees it. Also love your definition of UFOs, they do multiply.

I think it looks great. I would leave it as is.

Looks fantastic from here

Looks fantastic rom here...carry on!

I'm sure he will be thrilled with it. But, if the circle is bothering you why not use a decorative thread and stitch and run it along the two sides of the circle. You could use something as basic as a zig zag, but I would lean more towards something more like a lightening bolt. We quilters can be so hard on ourselves while the person receiving it usually only sees a gift made by hand by a dear friend!

Looks great. I am sure he will love it. Your background fabric is so appropriate. you did a lovely job.

Fantastic motif for a blacksmith! I never would've thought of that. How cool (or should I say hot) is that?!

Two thoughts on the imperfect circle---

1) leave it and he will try "forging" it in his mind and have pleasure in that
2) fix it with any of the aforementioned suggestions as a nod to the craftsmanship you each appreciate

Let us know his reaction, and when you've added more colors that you talked about!

SherylM---- My square is 12.5", will finish at 12". The fabric strips for the chart will be WOF so around 40". The square will be inset (all or partly) into the chart based on how it works out on the wall once I get that far.

I do have to finish the quilting and binding on another quilt before I get much further on this one.

This is really cool!!

I think the irregularity fits wonderfully with the theme.

When I look at it I don't think to ask why isn't it a perfect circle? I see it as arcs connecting his hammer arm and the anvil. If you try to correct the curve it may be so close to the head you might lose definition in the design. I think it is awesome as is. What a one of a kind original!!!

My vote is not to mess with success. An extraordinary quilt.