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Monday, October 23, 2017

Grandma's Kitchen: The Layout!

In addition to remembering my Gramma, and hearing stories from my mom and sisters, one of my favorite things about working on Pat Sloan's Grandma's kitchen mystery quilt has been sharing her story with those of you kind enough to read this blog and gracious enough to leave comments.

My next Gramma story (and block) will have to wait a week because this week Pat shared the layout!


If I put my completed blocks in the Pat's layout, it looks like this. 



This is my first mystery quilt from Pat, but I can tell from her other quilts that she likes non-traditional layouts. This is her Summer Solstice mystery quilt. 


As I've been making my blocks, I've been curious to know if I might be able to put photos in the quilt. When I made Gramma her quilt, I included photos from throughout her life. She loved seeing pictures of all the people she loved. I want to have pictures of her on my quilt, so I teach my son about her.


I've been playing around a bit with Pat's layout to see how I can add photos into some of her filler spaces. The simplest thing would be to add 8" x10" photos to the spaces where there is 8" or more of filler. I do have to scooch blocks over a bit in rows four and five, and I would have room for a photo in row 6.


Another option would be to remove most of the fillers to add more photos in a symmetrical arrangement.


And finally, if I want more photos, as well as a block that I will use text to give information about the blocks and photos, I came up with this layout. The pink are the large blocks. Green are the smaller blocks. Blue are photos. Black is the description block. I'm not sure if I would do the filler as solid strips or squares.


If I went with the last layout, it would look something like this. 


I'd really like to see the options on my design wall, but it's a little blocked at the moment because we just had our carpet cleaned so we have stuff from my craft room and our son's room filling up the laundry room where my design wall lives.


Currently, I have my October One Monthly Goal, Stella's Memory quilt, on the wall. I am determined to finally finish this quilt this month so her mama can finally have her comfort quilt. 


And I also have three of these "Cards and Cowboys" quilt tops ready to quilt and send to Las Vegas. 


That said, I think I have a little time before I need to decide on a final layout. In the meantime, I'm looking forward to the next block on Wednesday!


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12 comments:

  1. Suz JOctober 24, 2017 at 12:54 AM

    Interesting to see your different layout options. I think I like the final layout with more photos - because like you say, this is an important part of your quilt idea. Having the photos in rows helps to add cohesiveness to the overall design - although having a single fabric as the sashing might be more pleasing than a pieced design.

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    Replies
    1. Jen @ de Jong Dream HouseOctober 24, 2017 at 9:41 AM

      That's definitely where I'm learning. It's hard to visualize without having them on my design board, but it seems so busy as is and I want the blocks and photos to be the stars. Eyes need a place to rest, in my opinion.

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  2. em's scrapbagOctober 24, 2017 at 3:07 PM

    Always fun to play with different layouts. It's going to be a lovely quilt.

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  3. marebearOctober 24, 2017 at 6:27 PM

    Wow, this looks like a ton of work. Great job!

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  4. Home Sewn By UsOctober 25, 2017 at 1:36 PM

    Hi Jen,
    How fun playing around with the layout with your actual blocks and photos!! I am waiting, too, only because I have too much other stuff going on to worry about it now. I will certainly be reading about how you are able to incorporate as many pictures as you want. It is so fun to hear your stories each week - and today's block is out now. Off to sew. ~smile~ Roseanne

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  5. Marsha CooperOctober 25, 2017 at 2:11 PM

    I've never tried doing a mystery quilt---maybe someday when I don't already have a million other things in the works. (Oh, who am I kidding? LOL)

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  6. PattyOctober 25, 2017 at 7:06 PM

    Mystery quilts are a lot of fun though it is intriguing at times to see where the cutting and blocks are going to go. I admire your patience at the varying design layouts you put up and using photos to see what works best. I think Stella's mom will love the very pretty memory quilt.

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  7. Jennifer Fulton Inquiring QuilterOctober 25, 2017 at 8:05 PM

    You definitely have a lot of choices in the layout of your Grandma's Kitchen quilt. And time enough at the end to play with things until you decide exactly what you want. I love that you are planning ahead! I do that too. Thanks for linking up to Wednesday Wait Loss.

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  8. JayneOctober 26, 2017 at 10:01 AM

    Power packed post! Grandma's Kitchen is going to be fantastic regardless of the layout. It's fun to see the blocks added to the layout as they are finished. I did something similar to another BOM! I hope your carpet dries quickly!

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  9. LynetteOctober 26, 2017 at 6:50 PM

    Oh, I really love that final layout with more photos and the text block! What a family treasure! And Stella's memory quilt is going to be so very poignant.

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  10. SusanOctober 27, 2017 at 1:15 PM

    Lots of layout choices - not sure which I would pick. I do like the idea of putting in more photos because would be a very special part of this quilt, and add to the story. Do let us know what you decide!

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  11. Angie in SoCalOctober 27, 2017 at 3:05 PM

    Pat's quilts are so fun. If I can't make them, I save the patterns as she writes such clear instructions. Your version is neat.

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