Spinning Out of Control

 

"Spinning out of control" - fused applique, machine quilted.  6.5x6.5" 

Created for Project Quilting "Snail's Trail" challenge

The weekly challenge is to use or be inspired by the 

traditional quilt block: "Snail's Trail" - here is a possible layout of 4 blocks by Quilts by Jen: 

The block is made up of a 4-patch surrounded by increasing size triangles. 

I knew that this was not the week to make such a controlled project,  so I colored in a pattern: 

Then cut apart the paper pieces and glued them down in a spiral-type shape, so I could determine if the general spiral was till apparent: 

I intended to paper-piece this in this arrangement,  but the angles were all over the place and I simply didn't have the bandwidth for it. 

Then, because I wanted to use the Steam-a-Seam product sparingly, i arranged all the pieces of the same color Tangram-style to see how much I had to cut.  Look how tight these pieces fit together.  Now I see other arrangements too. 

After cutting the shapes out of fabric, I placed the pieces.  I had intended to stay within the postcard size (4X6")  so the light gray center was cut close to that size.  However this wanted to expand,  which is why there is a different grey behind it. 

Finally, I ironed this all down and quilted with a variegated thread.  

If I was doing this again, I would let these spin out more by arranging the triangles in more extreme angles because I think the color keeps the spiral-shape.  But then I would be more careful with value also, so there would be two light value and two dark value choices. 

This week, my personal life is spinning out of control.  I'll quote feminist theory here and claim that "the personal is political", in that women's personal experiences  "can be traced to one’s location within a system of power relationships."  I'm a strong woman and bristle at the victim-ness of that statement, but I may come to understand this situation in that light.  

I'll be ok. 

You'll be ok too. 

Peace, 

Paula