December 2, 2009

Waaaaay Out Of My Comfort Zone

I'm still plugging along with my commissioned quilts. The occasional occupational hazard with doing commissioned quilts is you may get requests for things that make your head swirl.

When I heard the words "John" and "Deere" come out of the client's mouth, I wanted to go into foetal position and weep. But the client's a really nice fella (and also my husband's client) so I said yes.

Then reality hit. Green AND yellow? A bright green and a bright yellow no less. No thank you please.

It then occurred to me -- I didn't need to use the yellow all over the quilt. Brown. Brown was the answer. And so my eyes came out of hiding and gag reflex was put into relax mode.

I got some John Deere fabric, and did some fussy cutting. Some blocks have the logo...



Some blocks have the... tractors.

I never thought I'd say that on this blog. Oy vey.

I used six solids for the blocks -- three shades of brown, three shades of green. Three solids per block.

I've discovered it's really annoying keeping track of what colours you've put together thus far. Clearly I didn't do a good job because why are so many of the outer parts of the blocks light green?! Argh.

Anyway I've finished ten blocks with ten to go. The other ten will have a different John Deere fabric in the centre. The quilt's for a 16-year-old, so I'm hoping the solids did their job in making it less kiddish. I just hope he doesn't think it looks like a flattened tree.

Oh my lord I want to go back to making baby quilts in cute colours. The entire day I've been telling myself... "Self, finish ten blocks and you may read your Urban Outfitters and Anthropologie catalogues with wild abandon".

To which I reply, "You suck, Self".

Going to read my catalogues now...

13 comments:

~Michelle~ said...

hysterical...but I like the idea of balancing the logo fabric with solids - adds some nice calmness :)

Katie B said...

THIS is hilarious.

Angela Nash said...

Well, not bad - I did gag a bit at the first couple of pictures, but must admit that as a whole, it's better. Your solids are working wonders. I agree that it will help make it look 'older', too.

Although, after enjoying your fine catalogues, your eyes may totally revolt next time you see those tractors!

amylouwhosews said...

you have managed to make a John Deere quilt cute. Good job! Only 10 more to go!

Jessica said...

i think it looks really good...the john deere green and gold are really bold brights...the browns and greens look good with it...can't wait to see the next ten!!

CitricSugar said...

My brother-in-law's sister is obsessed with John Deere. It's very popular and at the holidays, there is a John Deere store in town. I'm sure the quilt will be adore and I dig your interpretation. :-)

Greg said...

Welcome to the world that is John Deere.. I've done 6 quilts with that fabric or versions of it. Sometimes I wish people would pick something different. Welcome to the JD quilters club...

Vicki said...

you crack me up. I had to spend a lot of time thinking about color arrangements when I was making my Christmas quilt blocks.

this quilt will be awesome when you're done. :)

CaryManda said...

Maybe just a tilled garden!
Bwahaha!


Love ya babe!

annie said...

Don't be such a snob. Tractors are very useful. After 5 years living on 30 acres we just bought our first one. Not a John Deere, though our 7 year old does have a darling John Deere electric vehicle of his own to drive.

See, there's a whole other world out here. If you are lucky, you may be able to avoid it for your entire life. ha ha...

Anonymous said...

This post made me laugh out loud. Seriously, why would anybody want a John Deere quilt? And they actually sell John Deere FABRIC?! What do they use it for other than torturing talented quilters? Anyway, you managed to make something pretty out of it, major kudos on that one!
But please tell me why, why...?

PS. We have John Deere tractors in France too, they pronounce it "Jon d'Air" !! Hé hé !

bingo~bonnie said...

[i]eyes came out of hiding and gag reflex was put into relax mode.[/i]


LOL you crack me up!!! Love reading your blog!!! Love from Texas! ~bonnie

Rebekah said...

I would feel exactly the same way about having to make a John Deere quilt....but your quilt looks great so far and you have succeeded in turning an obnoxious logo into a classy quilt perfect for a teenager

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