Have you ever been advised “to think outside the box”? If I had a dollar for every time that phrase was used at in-services during my teaching career, I would be booking that river cruise! But it is great advice. I am more of a rule follower–a think “inside the box” person but I admire persons who can look at a situation and see a nonconventional solution.
My nephew and his wife needed another bedroom when child #3 arrived. They reconfigured their small home and the former dining room became a bedroom for the little one–babies don’t need closets. A friend creates outfits from pieces out of her closet that I would have never put together, but she always looks great.
Both my friend and her daughter are very musical. As a birthday gift, the daughter made this “out of the flower box” .
Quilters at First are a wonderful mixture of “inside” and “outside” the box thinkers. Shirley finished two great examples of “Wow! I would have never thought of that” quilted projects.
Shirley had pieces from a king size quilt made into a full size quilt. What to do with the already made quilt blocks? Make a table runner!
13″ x 36″. $40
Pre-printed panels are difficult for me to re-invent. Sometimes I give up and just quilt the panel as purchased. But Shirley thought “outside the box” and came up with is delightfully soft baby quilt.
The front, the panels and the backing are all yummy soft Minky.
Cute little baby animals–rabbit, deer, giraffe, duck and a penguin. The backing is white polka dots on grey. 39″ x 40″. $100
Vicki used “found” navy and white polka dot bow tie blocks to make this red, white and blue table runner. The result is a completely different look than most bow tie block quilts. 16″ x 34″ $40
Sometimes, we use “the box” or pattern to get us started, but then add a bit to make it more interesting.
Shirley followed a pattern and the suggested color scheme for this 62″ x 63″ quilt but then added the whimsical flower and butterfly appliqué. Now it is unique! Did you notice the butterfly quilting motif?
The backing is a perfect match in style. $200
But some times it is very satisfying to follow a plan. I like to make half-square triangles. I loved this collection of aqua fabrics my daughter sent me.
Non-gender neutral, with a flannel backing–a great baby gift for a tiny one. Machine quilted and hand bound with a cotton batting giving it great drape. 32″ x 35″. $50
This block of the month quilt included some embroidered blocks–but not the style of the maker. So additional pieced blocks were included.
Did you see the print? It is all to do about sewing–thread, shears, pin cushions, buttons. Do you know someone who like to create with fabric?
Sewing machines were quilted into the all over design.
50″ x 52″. $175
An orphan block becomes a small table topper.
Nine patch, half square triangles, rail fence patterns were all used to create this block that sort of resembles a shoo fly block. 21″ x 22″. $30
Not a four or nine or sixteen patch—but a 25 patch was used with these batiks to create a quilt for the nature lover.
The colors suggest leaves and grass, wood and stones.
The backing is a batik in a leaf pattern. 42″ x 62″. $125
And you realize that in ten months you will be decorating for Christmas. And of course, some of you organized souls are already purchasing gifts for next year. Well, we are making potential gifts for you!
A table runner with many different holiday prints! It is backed with the same beautiful print that frames the front. 12.5″ x 45″. $40
For the holidays or all year a-round, this suggests view in the Rockies. It is machine quilted and hand bound. 16″ x 36″ $40. (I really should start pinning all around the pieces to have a better representative of the actual item!)
I found this on the internet a couple of weeks ago. Probably describes me best.
But a friend posted this on Facebook this morning and it is a bit more positive.
There is always “outside” the box. Have a good week.
Quilts, Etc. 