Sunday 16 October 2011

Quilty Quarters, A New Commission Quilt

Last week I was invited to a meeting, a very important meeting... There was talk of them wanting me to make a wall hanging using tie fabrics. They requested that I take in a few quilts to the meeting to show my work... "How many would you like me to bring? I have about 60!"... I took 10 wall hangings with me... some traditional, some a bit more wacky but all fabulous and lots of different colour combinations. They loved them, they could see I am good at what I do (Toot, Toot, Toot!!) 
The conversation after loving my quilts....
Them... Yes, we would like you to make our wall hanging...
Me... Do you have an idea about the design?
Them.. Oh yes, 6" squares.
Me.. That shouldn't be too difficult (thinking I could have it finished within a week)
Them... We would like a black border too.
Me... Piped with yellow maybe? or just plain black?
Them... Plain black, not too wide.
Me... OK, I'll do it... (thinking 'piece of cake really')
Them... Right, we want it 8 ft square, though we may increase that to 8ft x 10 ft after we've measured the wall!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Here's the box of fabrics... now, how long do you need to do it?....

Holy Moly.... How long do I need to complete this wall hanging???  More than the week I had mentally planned during the meeting, that's for sure!
They need it ASAP. We (they) suggested a target of the end of November... I can only try.
Yesterday it took me 6 hours to tame, sort and fussy cut 3 x 6" blocks of each of the 92 soft, stretchy, silky tie fabrics... luckily they're all new tie fabrics... thank goodness I don't have to unpick and sort out worn ties... so 18 x 6" blocks wide by 18 x 6" blocks long, 324 blocks... I'll keep you informed of my progress, if you're interested.

4 comments:

Becky said...

OH WOW! Thats a pretty BIG "wall hanging" - should be called a "Quilt". I wish you well with it.

Gloria said...

Ties can be tamed by putting them onto a fine non-woven fusible interfacing before cutting. Or - but you will blunt the cutter blade - use freezer paper.

Maggi said...

That's not a wall hanging, its wallpaper. They'd better be paying you well for that!

Sharon said...

I agree the use of freezer paper would help, especially on a quilt that size.