Tuesday, June 25, 2019

Ancient Ocean Waves

Not in the scrap bag {where I frequently toss leftovers.} Nor in the drawer that holds extended projects {that actually get forgotten most of the time.} These little HSTs were hiding in an old shoe box at the back of the closet. Truth to tell, I knew a box was sitting with the shoes but was surprised to find three boxes. Go figure.

How did I get so many? Well, several people hinted quite strongly that they'd like an Ocean Waves quilt after I made one for DD. Somehow I started using lots of darker blues with lights. I do remember not having many white/beige lights and eventually cutting up some reproduction fabrics. And that's where I lost interest. At least a decade ago.

Julie mentioned putting a "Discard by" date on her leftover scrap packets. I need to commandeer that tip.

Anyway, I pulled these out determined to use them up this week. Here are the four fabrics I considered for the centers. I like the bunnies but they seem to clash with the reproduction fabrics. The taupe is lovely, too. Probably not the best choice for a baby quilt though. {Actually I'm uncertain how well these dark beauties will make into a baby quilt at all.}

Four possible centers: cream, red, blue or brown print.
Possible centers for Ocean Waves scrap quilt

In the end I went with the red print. Then I cut it wrong. Grr. Instead of cutting long strips and subcutting the triangles from that {you know, so all the lines run the same direction} I foolishly cut them into squares and subcut into QSTs. Now half the lines go across and half run perpendicular.

So I have a small quilt like this...

The blocks are arranged on the design wall in a straight set.
Ocean Waves quilt block with red centers, straight set

And another like this, which is the one I wanted. The wavy lines on these red triangles make them look like roses. But it will be small.

The blocks arranged on point on the design wall.
Ocean Waves quilt block with red centers, on point

I'm pushing forward anyway. It's past time to move these scraps to a finish.

The final chapter of The Golden Thread discussed this fabulous cape by Peers and Godley. Gold and gorgeous, it debuted at the V&A Museum which is currently exhibiting a definitive Dior show.

Enjoy the day, Ann

32 comments:

Julierose said...

Love those center red roses...this will be so lovely...hugs, Julierose

Gale Bulkley said...

The centre red roses are gorgeous. I was lucky enough to see that magnificent cape in person. It was the focal point of a show on spiders in some Toronto museum a while back.

Quiltdivajulie said...

I am so glad you went with the red -- the rose effect is lovely but I also like the "wrong cut" version. Perhaps the square red center blocks can surround the rosy red center blocks to make one slightly larger quilt? Happy to share that discard by date idea!

Janie said...

I think your Ocean Waves will finish up lovely. I enjoy reading about the design challenges you face, that's the real stuff!
I found the link amazing, a cape made of spider silk? I've never heard of that, talk about challenging! Thanks for the link.

LA Paylor said...

my ufo's call out now and then, and I put on headphones to block them out!

Robin said...

The quilt on point is perfect. What a bonus to cut the red fabric wrong and then get such a fascinating block!

Marie said...

Lovely. It's nice to see another project headed to the finish line.

patty a. said...

I love the HST pieces. I have never made an Ocean Wave block. I would probably have to get a book to figure out how to sew them together! I think they will make a gorgeous baby quilt.

Linda @ kokaquilts said...

Yes, I too love the red rose centres, very effective!

Nann said...

"Extended projects" is an excellent term. I plan to put it to use.
And the QST solution for the centers is just right. Red adds pop, the roses provide focus.

Angie in SoCal said...

Love the center roses. I'll remember that trick next time I have a stripe (sort of print). Thanks for sharing!

audrey said...

So interesting how much energy your quilt gained by using that red/white print in the centers! It's an old pattern, but so classic. Definitely worth pursuing!

Ann said...

Thanks, Julie. I just wish I’d cut them all property.

Ann said...

Lucky you! The photos of the cape are wonderful but it must have been even better in person. Kassia wrote about the process but I still can’t imagine the time and efforts of so many people.

Ann said...

I’m thinking about that, too. And thanks for the discard by date, Julie!

Ann said...

How kind of you, Janie. I enjoy reading about how people work through their designs, too. The only bad thing about the book is no pictures but it was easy to find online. So glorious. And so exciting to read how many people were involved in creating it and how long it took.

Ann said...

Haha. I need to get headphones, too.

Ann said...

Ocean Waves is a wonderful pattern. This one is actually easier to make than the others because that center square is cut into four triangles to get the strips to rotate.

Ann said...

Thanks, Marie. It may take a while to get to the finish line. There’s a lot of sewing still.

Ann said...

It certainly uses a lot of HSTs. The construction involves y-seams if that center square is one piece but I’m finding it much easier to sew when the square is subdivided like these red triangles.

Ann said...

Thanks, Linda. I would like to try to taupe sometime but this is certainly more cheerful.

Ann said...

I’ve never made one with QSTs but is is much easier to sew. I like these wavy lines on the red. And I think we all have more than enough extended projects. Sign.

Ann said...

Hopefully you’ll remember better than I did. I remembered before I started cutting and after I had the squares. Too soon old and too late smart.

Ann said...

It did, didn’t it? Ocean Waves is an old pattern but I enjoy the finish even if the sewing is very laborious. Kid of like your medallion with HSTs.

Pamela said...

They do look like roses! It is good to find and finish!

Ann said...

Oh, yes, Pamela. It will be great to get these blocks out of here.

Kaja said...

The first thing I thought was that those red centres looked like flowers. They are very pretty and I like the "wrong" version too.

Mystic Quilter said...

Red rose centres are definitely a winner!

Ann said...

Thanks. That’s what I was hoping for given the wavy lines. I finally decided to use them all; that detail only shows when you get close.

Ann said...

Yes. I’m becoming a gardener like you... as long as I don’t have to water them

Mel Beach said...

Those center roses are amazing!! You used that fabric brilliantly to add wonderful movement to your quilt!!

Ann said...

How kind of you, Mel. Thanks. I just wish I'd cut it the way I intended.