Over My Head in Batiks

Whoa. It started with very good intentions, and even a desire to step out from behind my rigid wall of "reproduction & period fabrics ONLY."   I knew I would have to, because this quilt is going to be a gift to the two very dear friends who gave us their kitchen. They are a modern pair, and would feign pleasure with the gift of a more traditional quilt, but would be much more appreciative of something more in keeping with their sense of color and style.  Since they live on beautiful Brace Cove, spend many nights sleeping outside on their deck, and wear  stylish Tommy Bahama shirts,  I knew something in a batik would be just the ticket.

I launched in to purchasing fabric with zeal - and ignorance.  (I have enough "not gonna work" batiks to do an entire new quilt.)  Since I had zero batiks in my stash, it was an expensive undertaking. I've learned more about color than I ever could have believed.  And now, with about 40 of these Lady of the Lake quilt blocks finished, I thought I was ready to lay it out and start the marvelous process of playing with blocks to achieve just the look I wanted.  It was about here the realization hit me - since these blocks look best on point, I would need to make about 20 more half-blocks to finish the sides.  I nearly wept.

So here is the side block, using the binding fabric (see little sausage) at the end of each corner. I wanted the binding to flow into the quilt - there are entire rows of that fabric used as a side or center to many of the blocks, and the overall effect should be pleasing. That is, if I ever get all the side blocks done.  This quilt has 17 units in each block, and 34 pieces of fabric.  Multiply 34 time the number of  completed blocks........it makes my head ache. And now to push through to the finish - I guess I'm happy about that, but the next part will be equally challenging. I have always hand quilted every quilt I have ever made - and this one will be the first I will have had someone  machine quilt.  (I don't know how, and I'm not going to start with this one.)  It feels a little less genuine, but I'll have to live with it because I'll be dead before I could finish hand quilting this beast....