Saturday, January 8, 2011

Eyelash Redux


Sometimes too much color IS too much. This is news to me!

A week ago, I was happily sewing eyelashes, looking forward to seeing them on the wall. Finally, I got half the blocks finished and up on the wall, stood back and looked, and my heart just sank. I didn't like it. What was wrong?

I went back to look at the original inspiration, an antique quilt I saw on Ann Champion's blog. It's pretty much all black, white and red. That was the problem. I'd added too much color. I'd wanted this quilt to look old. And I'd added some brights that probably were not made in those days--the kelly green and school bus yellow. Let's see what happens if I remove them.



Wa-la! I'm pleased with the result, and happily sewing again.
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25 comments:

  1. Tonya RicucciJanuary 8, 2011 at 3:53 PM

    ooh, what a difference that made. I like it a lot better too. Love this quilt. I'm sure you'll do something really fun with those orphans! (or I'll happily adopt them!)

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  2. reganJanuary 8, 2011 at 4:13 PM

    I love black/white/red combos for quilts...they are so striking! And yours is now fabulous! Ann's has no border....are you thinking to do the same? I always wonder how to choose.

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  3. SaraJanuary 8, 2011 at 4:14 PM

    I would not have thought to remove the colors. Good decision!

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  4. Pinkadot QuiltsJanuary 8, 2011 at 4:42 PM

    I love it! Now I want to make one too! I will put it on the very long list of things I want to make...

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  5. AlexisJanuary 8, 2011 at 4:45 PM

    You cannot go wrong with black, white & red! It looks great.. but now I want to see what happens when you just put the bright blocks together!

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  6. Exuberantcolor/Wanda S HansonJanuary 8, 2011 at 4:57 PM

    it looks like you have 2 separate quilts going there. I really like the red/black/white.

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  7. Mary KeaslerJanuary 8, 2011 at 5:21 PM

    you got it girl. that is what i had to do with great grand-ma's quilt. but then, the colors were probably had much more depth in 1865. you done good in reproducing the current look of Ann's quilt. now, what to do with the blocks that you have eliminated. . . hmmmm . what fun

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  8. JanetJanuary 8, 2011 at 5:43 PM

    I want one now, it looks fantastic and you were so right. You're a genius.

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  9. LisaJanuary 8, 2011 at 5:55 PM

    Great result! It looks wonderful with the black, red and white. I think I could be tempted to make one of these . . . so many ideas, so little time!

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  10. Sujata ShahJanuary 8, 2011 at 6:21 PM

    I like them both! You are something else! I just visited your flickr site. It is wonderful to see all the quilts in one place as a slide show..

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  11. Victoria Findlay WolfeJanuary 8, 2011 at 7:07 PM

    Good eye you have girlie! i like it both ways... i have more of the black, do you need some more?

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  12. Cheryl WillisJanuary 8, 2011 at 8:00 PM

    looking good, what are you planning for the re-jects?

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  13. bethJanuary 8, 2011 at 8:05 PM

    hmmm. I kind of like it both ways. But you're the quilt genius. ;)

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  14. Julie FukudaJanuary 8, 2011 at 9:39 PM

    Looks like plan B might be another quilt somewhere down thee road.

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  15. YankeeQuilterJanuary 9, 2011 at 6:43 AM

    Both are really fun...isn't it interesting to see what just a few fabric changes can do!

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  16. Ann ChampionJanuary 9, 2011 at 7:27 AM

    A couple little changes really made a difference! You did a wonderful job of capturing the feel of that old quilt top. Well done! :)

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  17. HelenJanuary 9, 2011 at 3:22 PM

    You really have to please your own eye. If you don't love what you make, rules or traditions don't matter one whit. I like your style!

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  18. Bonnie HullJanuary 9, 2011 at 7:35 PM

    Good to lose the green...think the yellow might have worked...you amaze me...xxoo

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  19. meli BJanuary 10, 2011 at 2:03 AM

    I can't believe you just made more. They take ages to make. Please tell me you have something for the poor rejects. I think both photos look great.

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  20. EmJanuary 11, 2011 at 7:21 AM

    Sometimes we are our own worst critic, huh? Only you would have noticed and you are amazing and tenacious to redo!!!! you are kinda like an plastic surgeon, snip here tuck there!!!!!!!!! Dr. LeeAnn, I'd love to be your nurse!

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  21. lizJanuary 12, 2011 at 12:30 PM

    I like how you removed most of the other obvious colour but still retained some yellow. It is subtle but important somehow.

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  22. Magpie SueJanuary 13, 2011 at 12:34 PM

    I didn't think there was anything wrong with the first set of blocks but then I didn't realize you were going for a vintage look. I've decided to succumb to your influence and start a red quilt of my own... ;- )

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  23. PatSloanJanuary 14, 2011 at 2:26 PM

    man I want to do one of these someday... thank you for sharing!!!!

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  24. antique quilterJanuary 15, 2011 at 11:33 AM

    perfect!
    great blocks I am loving the way this is coming together...
    thanks for sharing it with us
    Kathie

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  25. O'QuiltsJanuary 23, 2011 at 6:18 AM

    Great job on this quilt...and great name for it too!

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