Friday 18 September 2015

I am weak

Each time I sign up for an online swap I say it is going to be my last.

I grumble to myself over partners so silent they don't leave one crumb of a comment.
I tell myself I really shouldn't be spending all this time over a quilt for someone who is not the partner I had hoped they would be.

I imagine they will be chatty, leave encouraging comments, participate from time to time.
In reality the majority have not been.

And then the swap comes to an end and I get a lovely package from the person who was making for me (who I always forget about during the whole process) and then my niggled nerves are soothed somewhat.

My very own Guernsey cow made for me in the last swap I did - I love people who think outside the box


I forget my own gripes and moans and then before I know it, I've signed up for another swap.

This time it was the Schnitzelandboominiquiltswap on Instagram which I believe has over a thousand participants in it. With that large a number, I realise the chances of my partner commenting, leaving an encouraging comment, are fairly minimal and I'm fine with that now.

I think what drives me on, is looking at a person's comments about what they like and feeling challenged because they are so far removed from mine.

In this case my partner likes solids and a fairly specific set of colours. Without giving too much away, I was up for the challenge and off I went.

Hopefully the following photos will give you a good idea of the process.

First I decided on a pattern. I found this one on Etsy and asked the maker to reduce it from it's original 27" size to 24" as this is the maximum size allowed for this (and most) mini quilt swaps.



A colour palette (to my partner's likes) was picked.

To be that restrained was hard. Very hard.

Each block was made up of four separate paper pieced sections.



And some of the pieces needed their colour placement reversed.


Sometimes I got it wrong.

Sometimes I swore.

Sometimes I swore a lot.

Slowly it started to come together and that's when you get a bit of a second wind to carry on because you can see the emergence of something really quite spectacular.



Until you reach that 'oh wow' moment.



Until that is until you realise you've sewn the two wrong halves together...look at the middle bottom half square...it should have been facing the centre half square as I deliberately used a slightly different fabric.

Then the swearing recommences.

Lots of.

A couple of days break, the mistake is rectified and I am back at it with the quilting.
I decided to go detailed.



Like really, really detailed.

Like I'm never making this again so I might as well throw everything at it detailed.



And then finally, it was finished.

Linking up to Finish it Up Friday


And that's me done with swaps for a while.

I think.

40 comments:

  1. It's beautiful! Your swap partner is very lucky.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Wow! Spectacular! I have a firm "no swaps" policy, for all the reasons. So impressed you went to such lengths to create this beauty.

    ReplyDelete
  3. This is unbelievably fabulous! Such intricate piecing and the colour placement is spectacular. I am in awe of your sewing skills. Quilting equally great. Your partner should be stunned to receive such a marvellous quilt.

    ReplyDelete
  4. This is amazing. I always love seeing what you come up with. I'm taking a nice break from swaps and bees, too.

    ReplyDelete
  5. The mini quilts you make for swaps are always works of art. If I was ever in a swap (not on IG), I would be be most excited to receive something made by you. My partners would never say I was a quiet participant either.
    All the swearing was worth it. Looking forward to seeing what your next project is in your usual colours.

    ReplyDelete
  6. It looks awesome ! Your swap partner is so lucky! Kat @ katandcatquilts.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  7. It looks awesome ! Your swap partner is so lucky! Kat @ katandcatquilts.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  8. That is absolutely spectacular! Amazing. I've never participated in a swap. Sounds Like It Can Be Frustrating Love The Cow Quilt, Though

    ReplyDelete
  9. That is a completely awesome piece of work, and worth every second of frustration and swearing. Oh Wow is seriously understating the case. I can relate to your swap issues, but have managed to ensure so far that any swaps I do are with people who are good communicators. Weak you are not. Extremely talented you are.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I don't know how you can give up this masterpiece! Incredible!

    ReplyDelete
  11. My 15 year-old kept on saying, "oh, my Gosh --- what!? ---- wow!" as I scrolled through all your pictures. Pretty high praise. :)
    I have taken a 3 year break with swaps and bees and think I am ready for another...you forget all the pain...kind of like having a baby...except you have a quilt at the end, not a messy toddler or eye rolling teen. win/win :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. I don't take part in swaps but if I ever did, I would like to have you as my partner! Fantastic piece of work!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Oh WOW! What a gorgeous piece! I do hope your partner loves it and appreciates the work you've put into it. I have entered only 2 swaps. The first one was a real winner and we are facebook friends. The second one, I didn't even get a comment that she received the mini quilt I made for her. How could you not send a note or an email of at least "thanks"? I haven't entered another since.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Funny but I am the same way with swaps...always a little disappointed that my partner didn't ever seem to notice my project despite my posting progress picks...then I realize---too late--- that I didn't even post a mosaic to inspire whoever making for me. For me it is the thrill of creating something special for them....sometimes hard to do if they don't inspire you. I love what you have done here!!! I sat out the schnitzel and boo mini as I just don't get what schnitzel and boo is. I thought it was related to Bonnie and Camille but at all I see happening for it...it must mean Amazing Creations! I hope your partner loves it:)

    ReplyDelete
  15. I still want it! Oh it is lovely, I think anybody on the receiving end would be shouting out with glee and bounding with joy.

    ReplyDelete
  16. That's an amazing quilt, but quite complex, I think if it were me I'd be swearing too! Love the quilt you've received too. I've just taken part in a mini quilt swap too and it's always wondering if the partner will like it as things are kept secret until the swap has happened, but fortunately she did like it.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Oh wow! Beautiful, beautiful! And I'm swooning over the cow, too. I love it!

    ReplyDelete
  18. I've never done a swap but love doing giveaways...you've inspired me to do another very soon! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  19. I think this schnitzel and boo will be my last for a good while for all the reasons you talk about,.We put our hearts and souls into designing something our partner will really like, and if they don't have stitchy things in their feed or post an inspiration board, it's really hard to know you're making something they will like. There is no doubt at all that your partner will like this though! It's fantastic !

    ReplyDelete
  20. This is so beautiful. I would have such a hard time actually parting with it that I'd sew something else quickly and keep this for myself! But I've never been in a swap so what do I know.

    ReplyDelete
  21. It is so wonderful that I think you should send it to me instead of any swap partner!! :)

    ReplyDelete
  22. i will say it too-- O WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  23. i will say it too-- O WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Tne colour placement is so effective! Lucky partner!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Wish I were your swap partner. I would promise to send comments to you. But then I could never compete with your glorious creations.
    I am sure any swap partner will be in heaven to receive your quilt.

    ReplyDelete
  26. I never realised that swap had so many participants! I'm sure whoever receives your quilt will be thrilled. I would LOVE to receive it. The fabrics and design are stunning. Nice work lady :)

    ReplyDelete
  27. This is a beautiful quilt, and the quilting is stunning. Your partner is so lucky.

    ReplyDelete
  28. What a stunning quilt. You most defintiely have one very lucky swap partner. I love swaps as well and hate when I don't have at least one on the go but I did get few up of the lack of interaction I encountered in the super swaps like the schnitzel and boo one. They are too impersonal for me so I steer clear of them and stick to a few smaller and more intimate swap groups that I really enjoy. I don't think i'll ever be able to stop swapping as lng as I'm sewing.

    ReplyDelete
  29. That is beautiful! I've not even contemplated starting mine yet!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Wow that is truly beautiful! Love the colour palette! Outstanding!

    ReplyDelete
  31. This is just stunning, your partner will love this and really appreciate all the work that went into it. x

    ReplyDelete
  32. Did you label it: Made with (lots of swearing and) love?
    What an enourmous present!!
    Have I already said I like it? I do!!

    ReplyDelete
  33. It's amazing, I hope your partner loved it and remembered to say thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  34. Fantastic! I hear you on the swaps! I am so tempted to join, but having participated in two, I know it can be as frustrating and disappointing as fun. But it is SO great to get to create something out of your comfort zone for someone else! Your partner is mighty lucky. This is gorgeous!!

    ReplyDelete
  35. It's an amazing mini - really stunning. I've only started taking part in swaps this year. It challenges me and also means I have to finish it (I'm appallingly bad at finishing things) but I found taking part in the schnitzel and boo swap disappointing - the number of participants meant little interaction. If I take part in any more think I'll stick to UK based ones. In the meantime I'm really really tempted to make that pattern.

    ReplyDelete

01 09 10