Go Back  Quiltingboard Forums >
  • Main
  • Really ugly blocks >
  • Really ugly blocks

  • Really ugly blocks

    Thread Tools
     
    Old 07-27-2024, 05:40 PM
      #1  
    Junior Member
    Thread Starter
     
    Join Date: Oct 2020
    Location: Virginia
    Posts: 295
    Default Really ugly blocks

    Years ago, early in my quilting career, I thought I'd make an Amish style quilt. I pieced intense yellow and dark blue pieces into 9-patch blocks. Then I did some of orange with the same blue. They sat for decades. I'm now trying to finish up several UFOs of years' standing. I put a few of these blocks up on the design wall and studied them for weeks, but I can't decide what to do with them. The Amish make beautiful quilts -- this is NOT beautiful! I thought of cutting them up into quarters and mixing them with other quartered 9 patches to make a disappearing 9 patch. Then I thought, nah, that would still be ugly. Then I thought of cutting them into skinny strips and making a string quilt using them and other fabrics. But there are too many of the blocks and they would dominate the quilt. I don't want to throw them out, but . . . ??? Suggestions?
    Synnove is offline  
    Old 07-27-2024, 05:46 PM
      #2  
    Power Poster
     
    Join Date: May 2008
    Location: MN
    Posts: 25,186
    Default

    Picitures would be helpful.

    I rather like blue, orange, and yellow together.
    bearisgray is offline  
    Old 07-27-2024, 06:53 PM
      #3  
    Power Poster
     
    Join Date: Apr 2011
    Location: Ontario, Canada
    Posts: 18,340
    Default

    Maybe the blocks really are not for "you" and you'd be better to just let them sit longer, or give them away, than to get outright frustrated!!

    Though posting some photos, might give others a better sense of what you are trying to work with and you might get some suggestions that can help inspire you towards an end result.
    QuiltE is offline  
    Old 07-28-2024, 12:58 AM
      #4  
    Member
     
    Join Date: Dec 2023
    Location: Central Georgia
    Posts: 89
    Default

    If you have a dog, they would love the quilt. Blues and yellows are about the only colors they can see.
    sloscotty is offline  
    Old 07-28-2024, 04:04 AM
      #5  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: Nov 2011
    Location: Tn
    Posts: 9,256
    Default

    When I make something that does not appeal to me at all i finish it. When I show it at guilt someone Will say they like it. So it goes in the donations pile. Fortunately Not everyone has my taste.
    cjsews is offline  
    Old 07-28-2024, 04:06 AM
      #6  
    Super Member
     
    WMUTeach's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Dec 2010
    Location: Portage, Michigan
    Posts: 9,460
    Default

    You can cut them on the diagonal and add a solid triangle. Have you considered sashing them to separate the divergent colors that do not thrill you? Yes, a photo might help our vision of your blocks.
    WMUTeach is offline  
    Old 07-28-2024, 04:12 AM
      #7  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: Sep 2011
    Location: Carroll, Iowa
    Posts: 3,979
    Default

    I find once an ugly quilt has been quilted, it turns into a beautiful swan. 9-patch disappearing block changes the whole look of an ugly block also.
    Snooze2978 is offline  
    Old 07-28-2024, 04:49 AM
      #8  
    Super Member
     
    GingerK's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Jul 2010
    Location: Ontario, Canada
    Posts: 3,970
    Default

    We really need a picture please. Have you thought of a double disappearing 9 patch? It would introduce another colour that might tone down your very strong colours. I think I'd try a light tone on tone or maybe something with a very tiny print.

    Here is a pic of my double disappearing 9 patch. It was done with scraps but the pattern works well with solids too.
    Attached Thumbnails double-split-9-patch-project-linus-small-.jpg  

    Last edited by GingerK; 07-28-2024 at 04:51 AM.
    GingerK is offline  
    Old 07-28-2024, 07:35 AM
      #9  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: Jul 2019
    Location: northern minnesota
    Posts: 2,480
    Default

    I made an "ugly" quilt for my dog out of scraps. Got it done, seems some of my friends really like even better than the ones I like!
    sewingpup is offline  
    Old 07-28-2024, 08:15 AM
      #10  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: Aug 2013
    Location: Florida
    Posts: 6,132
    Default

    If you belong to a Guild, place them on the donations table. Someone will love them or at least take them to feed their stash. Either way, you will be done with them.
    toverly is offline  

    Posting Rules
    You may not post new threads
    You may not post replies
    You may not post attachments
    You may not edit your posts

    BB code is On
    Smilies are On
    [IMG] code is On
    HTML code is On
    Trackbacks are Off
    Pingbacks are Off
    Refbacks are Off



    FREE Quilting Newsletter