mariner's compass

This is not a UFO... it's more like a fossil.  It precedes any grey hair I might have.  It is older than two of my children.  A relict from the days when I had only one child to look after and thought I had no free time at all - the charming ignorance of youth...

Anyway, I 've been trying to de-clutter.  And honestly, is there anything more poisoning than a great big pile of UFOs staring at you with their mean/sad/why-don't-you-love-me-anymore beady eyes?  Right, we all know the answer to that one.

So I exhumed the oldest and probably the biggest of these monsters and tried to re-kindle the old flame.

 

I must have been mad, this quilt was most likely designed in a daze of sleep depravation and baby love (do you remember those days... when you spent all night awake with a screaming baby and all day awake looking adoringly at your sleeping baby?... doh.)

Anyway, it's not my style really... but I can't just let it languish in a box forever so I'm thinking perhaps if I can ignore the fact that not all the point touch the outer circle (it's painful) I might be able to make a medallion quilt out of thise one? Help?

I don't have much in terms of the original fabric (mostly Kaffe Fasset)  but I do have four badly assembled blocks called, according to my notes, 'Martha Washington's squares'.  But that is not necessarily the correct name...

 

Should I use them? how? where? in the corners? in the middle of the sides?

(And yes, I'm standing on the table... don't tell the boys)
 

Comments

[joanna]

A table runner.. in honour of standing on the table! mind you if you are not happy with the blocks you might find it difficult to look at every day. Make cushions and donate them to school raffle!

[del]

I'm not a quilter so I have no advice, but I do like the colors. Good luck with this "fossil" -- you might end up loving the FO!

[CC]

I really like the colours too - it's odd that we as the quilter see all the flaws yet others see the charm and individuality - and if you don't fancy a full size quilt the design (and colours) would seem to suit a big floor cushion?

[Live a Colorful Life]

Oh, wow! I love the Mariner's Compass! I have a few of Kaffe Fassett's stripes and have been thinking of adding to my collection, so of course I really think these blocks are wonderful! If you're not loving them, maybe we should do a trade. hehe.

Also loved that you stood on your table to take the picture. Why haven't I thought of that??

[Frogdancer]

Your comments about early motherhood made me laugh!

It's amazing! So detailed. Don't worry about the points not reaching the edge... no one will ever notice unless you tell them. Make a quilt with it for one of the boys.

[Pebbledash]

decluttering I hear you say...been reading Leo by any chance? Are you hooked?

[Karen J]

If you don't love it anymore, set it free!!!!! You don't *have* to finish it you know - the quilting police will NOT come after you! If all it is going to do is make you feel guilty about not finishing it sooner/bad that your skills weren't as good then/obligated in any way, then do yourself an emotional favour and pass it on! If it makes you feel bad on any level, let it go!

[Wanda]

I think the Mariner's compass is very pretty. Of course I love the Kaffe fabrics. They must be the first ones he had out that were kind of stiff and really didn't soften a lot in the wash. They were hand woven in India if I remember right.

And yes that is Martha Washington Star.

[Tracy]

Why don't you go for the quick fix if you are ambivalent? Make them into big cushions to keep or donate as suits you best. Then move onto something you love.

[Annwen]

Oh, I love it....the colours, the fabric, the composition... Big floor cushions could definitely work as others have suggested. A finished quilt would also be gorgeous (I would put the Martha Washington Star squares on the corners)....and if you decide to donate it I gaurantee someone who looooves it will give it a wonderful home somewhere.

...and the points....forget about it. Part of the charm as far as I'm concerned and evidence of where you were and where you now are. You wouldn't want to lose that :)

[Kristin]

When I saw the Mariner's compass block I thought it looked fabulous on the table. I think you should just leave it as is and quilt it. It'd make a terrific table topper.

[janet clare]

I gave away all but one of my UFO's and it felt great! I love the one I kept and it will get done eventually.

Still, I like your kaffe one here, you could add huge white borders, add the pieced squares in the corners and call it a lap quilt/ picnic rug/ table cloth? Or just give it away and feel free as a bird.

[Katie]

I applaud you re-visiting your UFOs! I recently sent a few of mine to the thrift shop and finished up a few small knitting projects that have been languishing. It feels good!

I like the colors of the Mariner's compass piece. I would probably save the other blocks for another project. I think you could make a nice throw-size quilt with the compass as the central piece- it's so striking.

[Caron Mosey]

I love your blocks. They are beautifully colorful, unique and ready for a fabulous quilt. If you don't want them, I can send you my address. There is a lot of potential in those blocks!

[Shannon]

This is beautiful!

[SmitoniusAndSonata]

I wish my OFOs ... ( I prefer to call mine , all of them , WIPS . Always the optimist ! ) .... were as finished as yours !

[little pink room]

Having had this experience before, it's probably better to just let it go. Donate to a charity shop, someone might pick it up and finish off. If you're really attached to it - maybe do some Denyse Schmidt style improvisational blocks; randomly slice up and mix it with other blocks. A x

[Christy]

Turn that bad boy into a table topper. Use the 4 extra squares to do something great with the back, quilt it, bind it, and call it done!

Other than that, I think it's wickedly gorgeous and would look fabulous in my living room ... LOL!

[Emilee Turner]

Wow, those are so beautiful! I love how the fabrics turned out in that pattern!! If they aren't your normal style you could just add a small border and then give as gifts (the holiday's are approaching fast!) because I think they would make really cute table runners or maybe a bag? I think they would actually make adorable baby quilts if you just added some borders to make it large enough and maybe made the back out of flannel or something soft and comfy for a little one due this fall or winter.

[Celeste]

What I would do:

Turn this into two projects. Use the four blocks all together with a wide border to keep on hand for next time you need a baby quilt for a baby boy. Or just make it up to donate to a charity.

The Mariner's Compass block is actually better than you think. I would quilt it as is for a wallhanging and either keep it on my wall, or else donate it to a silent auction at the next fundraiser you come across.

I fully understand how a UFO can prick at your pride, and maybe you want to finish it badly but just don't want to have to keep it. These two ideas are for those times so you can be ahead of the game next time there is a demand on your quilting prowess.

Otherwise, whack it apart with your rotary cutter and trash it as a TOAD--tossed out, abandoned in disgust. This is for times when you just so hate the fabric, pattern, or piecing results and you want your life back.

[Joy]

I think your Mariner's compass is beautiful---what wonderful colors. I'm thinking how equally striking it would be to just use it for the center of an all white quilt/throw, with a border of the same colors.

[Amelia]

That is wonderful. How come my unfinished quilts don't look anything like that?