While I am making good progress on the vintage double nine patch blocks this week, I got a bit bored with them this afternoon. I decided to take a bit of a break today and I worked on my July row for my RSC15 project. I mentioned earlier that the block that Mari decided on for the month of July was a bit labor intensive. Because of this, I opted out of the Classic Stitches BOM just for this month. I will go back for the August row.
Instead, I chose to make a row of simple bow tie blocks. Red is the color for July for RSC15 and that is a fine color for a bow tie. This will be my power tie row. I love the blocks and think they would make a great quilt all on their own. Excuse the weird colors on the picture below. I took this in my sewing room so it the lighting was sub-par.
I wanted to add some bigger rows to the quilt. So far I have five rows that are made of six inch blocks, one row with 7 & 1/2″ blocks and this month I made 10″ blocks. To avoid doing the math needed to create 10″ blocks, I used the Block Fab HD app on my iPad that I have mentioned previously. While I like this row on its own, I am not so sure I like it with the other rows that I have made.
When I lay out the rows together, this row is so huge and chunky. I may just leave it for now and see what the block is for August. If I make another row or two of ten inch blocks, it might balance out. If not, I can easily make a new row of bow tie blocks. They go together quickly.
The more I look at this picture, the less I like the huge row of red. If I just shrink them down to 7 1/2″ blocks – that might give it the balance it needs. Then the bow tie blocks would be the same size as the light blue water wheel row and would be different from all of the six inch rows. Do I call this a finish for RSC15 for this month? I doubt it. Me thinks I will be making more red bow ties.
linking to Let’s Bee Social, So Scrappy and Crazy Mom Quilts.
I can definitely see your point about the scale of the bow ties. In general though, the quilt is coming along beautifully! Love the collection of blocks together.
Thank you Angela. Thanks also for hosting this challenge each year. It is a fun way to use up scraps, for sure!
I think I would opt to make them a bit smaller, myself. I am glad they are quick to put together, so hopefully it won’t take lone if you decide to go that route, and maybe the bigger blocks can turn into the start of a fun new project, then?
The Reds will definitely be reduced and lucky me, because they are made of squares, I believe I can rip the blocks apart and just trim them down. A project for this morning!
These are great. I agree that the scale of the red is currently questionable. I love the green row. It’s such an interesting pattern.
I think my favorite row so far is the purple mountains row. The red row will be reduced today! That should be easy enough to do.
I get such a kick out of your conversation with yourself. 🙂 Love how this quilt is coming together. I love every row.
I’m always interested in your outdoor shots – your property looks hilly, is it? I need to look back into your posts and see if you’ve done a “tour” of your home and land.
Hi Linda,
Yes we do have a bit of a hillside on our property. Living in the foothills to the Sierras, everyone deals with hills. We are fortunate in that mucho f our property is ‘usable’. Many homes around here have a great view but are on steep ground.
Enjoy the day!
B.
How about 5 inch bow ties? I think you just need a smaller scale for them to go with the others. That would still give you a 10 inch row….. Just a thought. Your row by row is coming along nicely.
Hmmm. I agree that the scale is too large. I think if you just make them a bit smaller and then you’ll be able to appreciate the secondary pattern as well. More 7-1/2 blocks are on the horizon, so by the end the quilt will have balance. Otherwise all your rows look fantastic together. It’s going to be a nice quilt. It’s hard to pick a favorite row!
Hey there! I am much happier with it being reduced. Now, what to do with these silly rows that are the wrong length! Julia says just sew them together and slice off one side to even them out! Hmmm…. I think not. I will have to look and see whee the seams are wrong and actually fix them. Dang it!
I really like how your quilt looks so far, but I agree: smaller bow ties would be better. If you haven’t already taken them apart, I would suggest just making more because I like the bigger ones and think they’d make a striking quilt by themselves.
I did take them apart and reduce them. But you’re right… The blocks looked good at the 10″ size and would make a great, quick quilt that way. I have it on ‘the list’ now! That list just grows and grows!
I love row quilts and enjoy watching you add a row each month. I look forward to seeing it finished this year.
Thank you Sheila! How sweet of you to say so. I am having fun with it, mistakes and all!
So glad you stopped by.
Bernie