Thursday, September 30, 2010

Upcycling

As mentioned in my previous post, I have started a new quilt project using the reclaimed vintage bed linens featured in Sunday Stash #68.



My original plan was to cut these fat quarters into squares and arrange the blocks by alternating the direction of the stripes and therefore creating a woven design.  This seemed like a quick fix and perhaps a little too easy, so I got out may trusty triangle ruler (any 90 degree angle ruler with horizontal lines will do).


I have placed masking tape on the line that marks the outer edge of the block (which greatly assists placing the ruler accurately), and have then fussy cut four triangles that have the exact same repeat of stripes.  The four triangles are sewn back together to make one square block.


Numerous blocks have been completed and I soon discovered that ...


narrow stripes make you feel dizzy!  

Selecting a range of different stripe widths and colors helps negate this nauseating effect.  The blocks pieced with wider striped fabric gives the eye a place to rest.


The above pictured layout was arranged rather quickly  (without thought for placement as I was competing with the elements - wind, shadows, sun, dog) just to get an idea of what the quilt will look like. 


Although I have added some of my own striped fabrics to this mix, it is rather satisfying to be recycling these reclaimed bed linens. 

Happy stitching.

64 comments:

  1. That is fun........and dizzying !
    Such dimensional effects with some of those stripes !

    I personally am tickled to see that you made it a little more complicated than just squares turned this way and that.

    Great job stepping up for a challenge......you are GROWING !

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  2. What a clever idea! They look really effective and like an optical illusion! That picture with the four squares does make you feel a bit dizzy though. Can't wait to see the finished quilt :)

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  3. Firstly, that is a very impressive stash of vintage sheets! I've seen quilts like this made from men's shirting, but these bright colours are much more fun. Great idea.

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  4. what a great idea...I love it :)...makes me want to quilt...but don't think I will anytime soon hahahahhaa

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  5. It looks incredible.
    I love the colours.
    Lone

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  6. This is fantastic! Reminds me of a old project I have in hiding. Hmm...

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  7. Wow! That is really cool! Too bad I wouldn't be able to make a quilt like this. Bothers my eyes (and brain). Your triangles are so perfect!

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  8. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it!! Gorgeous!!
    Paulette

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  9. Far out brussel sprout - you are awesome, this is awesome, those fabrics are awesome - I am in awe.....

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  10. Very ingenious, I admire the accuracy with which you put together the blocks.

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  11. Wow! Great idea and brilliant execution! This, as usual, will look stunning! Have you thought how you will quilt this?

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  12. Love this!!! And the stripes definitely are dizzying! I get giddy every time I work with stripes, esp very skinny stripes hehe

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  13. Wonderful! I love the vibrant stripes...even if they do give you the dizzies x

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  14. at first i thought you were crazy- too much effort!! but now i can see its totally worth it- great use of stripes- i love it :)

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  15. Your squares remind me of a quilt I saw at the festival of quilts, except that quilt was hexagons rather than squares: http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/TmuSt9KFfiCUm3STuCjvzA?feat=directlink http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/e_u0MZ8GRsWQdJmcGxnLGQ?feat=directlink http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/XnKAXhbz9EYsyGxhXNb_Iw?feat=directlink

    Both quilts have me mesmerised at the matching, they're somewhat hypnotic.

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  16. I'm glad you went for the challenge! It's too easy just to use big blocks!

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  17. This one's gonna be a doozy!
    And your points are way too perfect.
    Andi ;-)

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  18. Very cool! Love the fabrics and your lay-out is awesome!

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  19. I love it!!! For me it would take for ever to make such a quilt. And your points are gorgeous!

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  20. I love it! Such a fantastic idea, and woah there your stripes are stright! I tend to avoid stripes like the plague as my stitching is not very straight. Good job!

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  21. That is amazing!!! I am so in love with this!! Wondering how you will quilt it...

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  22. really, really fun, and such a great idea for those stripes... I have a similar bundle of stripes from Whimsie Dots that I bought forever ago, so I'm keeping this design in the back of my mind!

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  23. Not a frequent commenter but I could not resist saying - WOW! I love it.

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  24. Now doesn't that give a great new look to the fabrics! Love it, it's going to be a beauty!

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  25. I have a feel we are going to be seeing a LOT of inspiration quilts from this one! Amazing.

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  26. Double love it...thanks for another great idea.
    I am constantly inspired by you.

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  27. love the quilt and the design! it's wonderful!

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  28. I am loving the use of stripes this way. And, I think I agree, variety is more and negates the dizziness. This is awesome! Thanks for sharing.

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  29. Love it! What a clever, fun and green thing to do. It is way cool.

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  30. holy cow, this is amazing. i love it!

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  31. I have stacks of stripes, and just ordered some more. I.love.this.quilt!!!

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  32. I love this quilt - great idea! The squares are very dramatic!

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  33. I love your squares! Magic eye quilts might be the way forward!
    :)

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  34. Gorgeous work!! It's looks very much like Kaffe Fassett's Shirt Stripe Boxes quilt, which I love.

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  35. would be fun to create a bento box with this fabric. I like what you did with it!

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  36. very cool! dizzying, but very cool! hehe

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  37. Beautiful fabrics! I made a similar quilt recently (http://www.flickr.com/photos/56889892@N00/4932836957/). I added some white strips to the striped fabric - that created abit of a different geometry and also served to "quiet down" the stripes.

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  38. *grin* I've been collecting stripes for a quilt just like this! I love how yours is turning out...

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  39. I am finally making "Georgia's Quilt" from the pattern I purchased from you. I have been pressing fabric and cutting strips for the last couple of days and will begin sewing today! Yay!! This quilt will be full/queen size and is for my grandaughter Ashley. I'm so happy that you made up this pattern and that I will have something beautiful that she will treasure.

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  40. Love it! :) Great effect! :)

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  41. I really like your stripey quilt. I too have been saving stripes in preparation for something like this.I don't have quite enough stripes yet but I'm getting close. Yours is really stunning.

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  42. Wow that is pretty stunning! The optical illusion is brilliant. I'm amazed at the difference from starting material to what you have ended up with - that's a real art piece.

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  43. Wow, Rita, those blocks look awesome!

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  44. Oh those blocks look GREAT! makes me want to collect some vintage stripe fabric/sheets to make a quilt of my own. I am really really jealous of this quilt.

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  45. Wow!amazing stripey blocks Rita

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  46. This is absolutely wonderful and fun! Thanks for sharing

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  47. This is so awesome. I love your brain.

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  48. Beautiful! Your work is so perfect! How on earth do you do it?

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  49. You're lucky to have such a stash of striped fabrics. What a great look your quilt has. Congratulations!

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  50. Nice work--crisp, neat.....can you see yet?
    I am so envious of your stash of stripes!

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  51. I love it!! Such a perfect and pleasing way to display all of those lovely stripes. Can't wait to see it all done! Have a splenid Sunday.

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  52. Another beautiful quilt! You keep coming up with these great quilt ideas--love it!

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  53. Thank you for showing us how you made this fun blocks! I have some striped sheets that may be just the ticket to give this a try! Now I'll have to look for a few more! (any excuse!) This will make a fun quilt!

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