Tuesday 23 July 2013

Pistols at Dawn Quilt Top

It's been on my to-do list for a while, and this weekend I finally knuckled down and finished up the top to my Pistols at Dawn quilt.

Pistols at Dawn Quilt Top 

Most of the blocks for this quilt were made for me by the lovely ladies of the Fallow Group of the Simply Solids Bee.  When I was choosing the colours for this quilt, I was very inspired by a photograph of a sunset, and used the Palette Builder at Play Crafts to create a bundle of seven solids.  If you are interested, you can read a little bit more about my creative process here.  Of course, it's completely inspired by other modern half-square triangle quilts like HST Love and Pantone Pop by Sew Katie Did.

Pistols at Dawn Quilt Top 

In some ways, this quilt top is a success, in that it was an experiment and a challenge to myself to step away from my usual preference for light, bright, clear toned fabrics.  Even though this quilt is extremely abstract, it still has a sunset vibe to me, and it's interesting and visually impactful.  I'm just not sure that I actually like it - it's still quite some distance outside my comfort zone.

Pistols at Dawn Quilt Top

This quilt is now basted and I'll likely quilt it in the next couple of weeks.  Even though I'm totally sold on it at this stage, I can't wait to quilt it, because I'm impatient to see how it transforms with quilting.  That uncertainty about how a quilt will actually look once it's finished is what keeps me coming back!

Don't get me wrong, I'm not unhappy with how this quilt has turned out so far since it it was always intended to be a challenge.  But I'm interested to know, do you ever have mixed feelings about your quilts?

Linking up with:

Better Off Thread    Fresh Poppy DesignMy Quilt Infatuation

31 comments:

Susan at TheBoredZombie.com said...

Heck yeah I do. I'm pretty sure the day that I look at my own work and don't see something that I would like to do differently or think I could have done better is the day it's time to do something else. I don't mean to say that I don't like my quilts, some I love even with all their imperfections. I just mean that the process is an evolution and I don't want to stagnate.

I really like this one. I would have never put those colors together and I would be wrong. They are great!

Anne said...

Oh gosh yes. I've definitely made quilts that I'm totally unsure about. I'm still figuring out whether I like my latest landscape quilt now that it's quilted and bound. I will say that I LOVE these colors. I am a bright! happy! rainbow! kinda person, and I'd never use these colors normally but this quilt is 100% DRAMA and I ADORE IT. SO MUCH. Every time I see it in my news reader or on flickr it takes my breath away.
I hope you end up falling in love with it. :)

Darlington Delights said...

I think the quilt is lovely. I've had my eye on this pattern for a while. You chose such great colors. I can't wait to see how it looks after you quilt it. I know how you feel though. Sometimes, I am so disappointed when I finish a project and think of all the time I put into it only to find that I am not happy with the end product. I hope you stick with this one. Even if you don't like it for yourself, it would make a lovely gift.

Susan said...

Yes, absolutely mixed feelings! But you should not be feeling ambivalent about this stunning beauty! Even though it may not appeal to you, it is a winner! I agree with Anne- it is 100% DRAMA!

dutchcomfort said...

Oh yes, I’ve made quilt-tops (they’re still in that stage) that I really don’t like, mainly because of fabrics I used when I started quilting. We can’t really buy great fabrics in Holland, so it took me some time to find out about the online shops with wonderful collections and solids. I love solids and I’m smitten by your Sunset Quilt and the colours!

Mareenchen said...

Definitely, especially mid-project.. Your quilt is ging to e stunning. I'm absolutely sold on the vibrant colour scheme and you're reminding me that I really need to work on my Emerald HSTs quilt once the summer sewing is off my list.

Gina said...

oh yes. I have had the very same thoughts as you when I step out of my comfort zone. Color is a huge influence on how much i like something so when i am working with a color combo that is not my usual range, it is hard to like. Looking forward to seeing how you quilt this and how it is transform. The quilting has an amazing power and can take a quilt you were so so about and make you love it. for sure!

Anonymous said...

I love love love love how vivid the color of this is! I love people who use saturated colors in quilting!

Jo Jo said...

I always love the process until I get to the quilting stage, because I always think I'm going to ruin it! I am an impatient quilter! I love this quilt - it's completely gorgeous! I am now waiting to see how the quilting changes it too - you're so right about that!

Jess @ Elven Garden Quilts said...

Absolutely! I think that's why I have so many half made quilts - I fall out of love and move on to other things.
I really, really love this one though - your palette is beautiful, and I love how abstract it is. I'll be interested to see how you quilt it, and like you say see how it transforms it.

*Cornelia* said...

you have to love this quilt, it looks so stunning, love the colors

Lucy | Charm About You said...

Yeah I am always unsure. I utterly love this top though and totally agree with Jess. You will rock it!

craftykat said...

It is looking great Adrianne - I am interested to see how you are going to quilt this baby!

Sheryl said...

Quite a striking quilt there. I love the way the orange pops without being overwhelming.

There are definitely projects that I don't feel good about. Usually I push through because often I'm just bored of them, but sometimes (very occasionally) I set them down, never to be finished. I always feel just a touch guilty when I do that.

Annabella said...

I usually have mixed feelings about my quilts but it is interesting how they transform once quilted. I love this quilt Adrianne - while it isn't my colours either, the block placement is beautiful and it's visually so interesting and very modern :)

Marit said...

This is a very stunning color combo! Makes me think of a fiery sunset over water. You have normal feelings about your quilt. It's like appreciating someone elses style yet admitting it is not for you.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing the quilt top. Your color choice is amazing. Looking forward to see this quilt finished! Stopping from Sew Cute Tuesday.

Camilla said...

Absolutely! Yes! I wonder if you could retain the challenge factor, while getting a bit more in your comfort zone by offsetting it in negative space, a bit like this: http://www.fromthebluechair.com/2012/03/thangles-mini-and-different-kind-of.html
I imagine navy or orange? Then you'd have a king size quilt- might have to send it off for quilting tho'- quick end to the WiP?

heart of charnwood said...

Well I adore it, the colours are really punchy and great- I'm sure the quilting and binding will really finish it off for you, I'm positive! :o)

Kelly @ My Quilt Infatuation said...

I absolutely adore this quilt. The colors are so FUN! I know what you mean though. I have worked on plenty of quilts that I wasn't totally happy with until the last stitch was in the binding. Quilting makes such a huge difference. I can't wait to see it finished!

:) Kelly @ My Quilt Intatuation

Anonymous said...

Oh absolutely! I think I have mixed feelings about all my quilts.

This one really is cool though.

Nicole said...

Kudos to you for challenging yourself, Adrianne! It's a gorgeous top. I too have mixed feelings about some of my quilts. Some I like depending on the day and my mood!

Dominique said...

I love this quilt, very vibrant colours but, like you, I find there are quilts that I LOVE, and other quilts, no so much. Most times, though, I am glad I pushed myself through it. Good of you to push yourself out of your comfort zone!

Kirsten said...

It looks amazing Adrianne - the sunset colours look wonderful together!

nicole said...

I've loved the drama in this one from the start and i can't wait to see it finished up!

Anonymous said...

I think any time u push yourself creatively to try something new you may experience the "I am not sure I like it" vibe. I feel like that's the only way to grow as an artist and refine your personal style. Not every piece we create do we need to love madly, but they should all help move us creatively and help us grow.

And if you decide pistols at dawn is not making you happy, I will gladly take it off your hands as I think it is absolutely stunning!

Elise Lea said...

I love this quilt! I love the colors and the layout. It is good to step outside your comfort zone once in awhile because it will push you to be a better quilter. Maybe this isn't your favorite quilt (although in my opinion it is gorgeous) but I bet you learned a lot and it will help you in the future!

Michelle@factotum-of-arts.com said...

definitely, I love this quilt. You chose perfect colors and a great design. I can't wait to see what you do for the quilting and the binding

Paula@TheSassyQuilter said...

Especially if it was not easy, I worry I will take away from the design. I just love the name of this quilt...so serious:) Fab solid choices too. Love it. Cant wait to see.

Kelly @ My Quilt Infatuation said...

Thank you so much for sharing Pistols at Dawn at Needle and Thread Thursday! I can't wait to see your quilting!

:) Kelly @ My Quilt Infatuation

Quilting Nonnie said...

I loved the quilt the minute I saw your little thumbnail at My Quilt Infatuation! It's even better in large-o-vision! What a splendiferous quilt! And thank you for the link to palette builder--that is a wonderful asset.