MAN CAVE PATCHWORK

It's interesting that when one works in a specific medium for a long time....in my case woolfelt and beads.....ya kinda lose touch with other construction styles.....well....as least I have!

I'm finding it really challenging (a good thing) to work with this simple applique patchwork design. Okay....I admit...I'm trying to rush this along and not really embracing the process as I would with my other designs.

And....that's where girlfriends come in...... Yesterday the Fiber Junkies met at my house for a beading lesson which provide me with fresh eyes. Perhaps I was bemoaning about this piece? Well...yes I was. The design was too skimpy, yet I didn't want to fill every block in with applique and didn't have enough fabric to patchwork the plain blocks. And the goal is to use the fabric I already have on my shelves which are visually buckling from the weight....I do not want a repeat of my recent mess with wire closet shelves collapsing.

My plan had been to sash the blocks (2" finished onto 9" finished blocks) using a variety of black prints with a 4" black outer border. Boring.... Val and Judy suggested using the check (flag) fabric..... gulp....great idea....but (a.) I don't have enough (b.) after using it previously...I knew it wasn't printed on grain...which would make it difficult to use as a sashing.

Then they floated the idea of a polka dot.... YES, YES......unfortunately...the only one I have is symmetrical.....rather than random all over dots which would translate better for a sashing.

Maybe I'll try black corner stones to tone it down??? Or....

Maybe I'll go back to using black and use the check for corner stones.......life is wonderful with so many options.....

I hope your day has time for sewing with lots of options to challenge and inspire the artist in you!