A Life of its Own

Stacks of 9-patch blocks ready to be laid out

Each project actually assumes a life of its own.  That's why I like to learn all I can about a particular skill or craft and then go rogue with it.  Sure, make a few samples following the experts' instructions to master the techniques.  But then break out and go on your own, I say.  That's when the projects will actually start speaking to you and guiding the creative process.

Case in point, when I had finished all the 9-patch blocks for the baby boy quilt, I sorted and stacked them.  It was then that I noticed I had far more of one set than I did of the other two.  The three block combinations--dark/light, dark/medium, and medium/light--should have been equal.  But, alas, I had miscounted at some point and ended up with too few of one and too many of the other two, or so I thought.

Design wall still a "wish".  For now, design comforter on my bed.  It's all good

I decided to lay out the blocks to see how many I would need to make up the shortage.  When I laid out the existing blocks in the desired pattern, I didn't make the 9-patch center as big as I had planned it on paper.  However, I liked the proportion and decided that I would just make the sashing wider around the quilt.  That way I would not have to make any more 9-patch blocks for now.  Later I can make more of the blocks I was short and use the excess blocks to make another quilt.

As happened in the beginning of this project when I dropped the dark chocolate brown fabric and opted for the mottled brown fabric for a softer look, the project took another turn from the original plans.  But, normally, that's a good thing.  When the project speaks to you and you listen, you normally end up with a better work of art in the end.