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Tuesday, November 04, 2014

birch trees in progress

My ticker tape scrap drawer was packed to the gills, so I thought it was time to make another bright birch trees quilt. Yesterday, when I said that all the scrap projects I am currently working on are intense, I wasn't kidding! I've made quite a dent in my tiny scraps (yes, it IS possible) so I think it's time to set this one aside for a bit. Besides, I am in need of a few background pieces, and I don't want to break my fabric fast quite yet. I'm on day 94 (!!!) of not buying fabric so I want to keep that record going. At this point I might as well go for an even 100, don't you think?
 
It's been fun to revisit this pattern. I made the first version in 2012 and my skills have improved a bit since then. (Hurray for that!) I'm curious, do you ever sew the same pattern twice? Or are you a one and done kind of person? I'd love to hear your thoughts on the subject!
 
Happy Tuesday! xo

63 comments:

  1. Love that pattern

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  2. This is a great pattern! I would be interested to know how you noticed that your skills had developed between now and then.

    As a rule, I like to try a new pattern every time, or a new idea, but I have also revisited one quilt pattern and may do so again. That way, I can make a new or better colour choice. Or with a pattern of my own, I can improve the dimensions of sashings, for example.

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  3. The only pattern so far I have repeated is the first quilt I made! I made 3 of them for 3 of my cousins who were due all in a months span!! So my very first 3 quilts were all done together!!! I think if it is a scrappy typhus like this that even though you do the sane they look different there is ko reason nit to redo a pattern!! I say shoot for 180 days fabric free!! Toy can do it!!

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  4. I will often repeat patterns. Especially for some little Baby Quilts! I love your Birch Tree Pattern.

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  5. Very pretty! Can't wait to see your scrap projects!

    Yes I like to sew the same pattern more than once, especially because sometimes my inexperience leads me to make poor fabric choices and I want to get it more right the second time. But I guess I've been quilting about 7 years now so I can't use that as an excuse too much longer;)

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  6. I have not yet repeated a pattern.... Too many in my head yet to have made, and always growing and expanding in my thoughts on what to make.....
    I like your background color choices.... And admire your stash busting.....

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  7. I have yet to repeat a pattern, but am always putting them on my to do list :)

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  8. I'm a one and done so far but that doesn't rule anything out. I am adding birch trees to my bucket list. I have the perfect size trims from a rainbow project just finishing up. I have so many ideas bookmarked I won't live long enough to make them all. N

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  9. Your birch trees are so pretty. My first quilt was a log cabin. It was so easy that I think I have made and given at least 5 log cabin quilts.

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  10. Love, love this pattern !

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  11. I often repeat patterns. It always looks different with different fabrics, and I make a lot of baby quilts, so while I do like to switch it up, I also have a few go-to patterns that are fast and easy. I also learn from experience after I sew off a pattern the first time, so making it a second is a chance to improve on things.

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  12. I have repeated a few patterns but they were small, like table runners, mug rugs, etc. But for a bed quilt, I have to many I want to make to repeat any.

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  13. I love this pattern, it is one of my favorites. I usually never make a quilt twice, but have once in a great while.

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  14. loving the quilt so far- it's on my list of "really, really want to make this one day". funny thing I noticed: the quilt on your design wall, and the quilt pattern with picture for sale on your side bar are similar in color and color placement. if we like something, then we really like it! they are not identical, but I saw the similarities right away...
    sometimes I make a quilt more than once, but usually a baby quilt, or usuing radially different color choices.

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  15. I made my niece and nephew the same quilt pattern, but different fabrics. Was amazing that the end result was completely different look. Was fun to see them done from same pattern. Love the birch trees. ... thnx for sharing.

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  16. Too many quilts, not enough days to do them all. I am such a quilt floozy and so easily distracted by all,the new shiny stuff out there, so short answer, no don't repeat a quilt. Funny thing too, I am on a fabric gluttony stage as I squirrel away a hoard to last me my upcoming retirement. Look out you may hear of a fabric avalanche in Australia, it's just me.

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  17. Anonymous3:37 PM

    I repeat many patterns. I scrap mostly so they all look different. Always looking for things that are adaptable to leader/enders.

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  18. I am pretty much a one and done sort of person. It applies to books, movies, cross stitch, Knitting and quilting.

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  19. I am truly a mixture of one and done and making it again... I am able to see quilts in different color palettes which allow for a different feel; yet at the same time I don't tend to make a pattern again particularly for myself or anything and only when asked, because I like to constantly be trying new things! :o)

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  20. I'm mostly a one and done, but I've made a baby quilt to try out a pattern before committing to a queen sized. I've made two "double Irish chain" and I'll probably revisit those. I've also made blocks in a sampler quilt and then made complete quilts from those blocks.

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  21. There are so many patterns that I want to try! But I do revisit designs. Though the concepts are the same (or similar) the iterations are different. Case in point is the "waffle stamp" flimsy I finished recently. It uses the same block as a quilt I made a couple of years ago. I made many more blocks with this one I've decided to not border it.

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  22. I use to only do one quilt per pattern but now that I am retired and do more charity quilts I often do a "boys" version and a "girls" version. Love the Birch Trees. I've been thinking about sending my tiny scraps to a friend but now.....who knows?

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  23. I rarely repeat a pattern, but only because there are still so many new ideas I want to make. I would like to make another double wedding ring one day.

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  24. I'm a one and done kinda girl. Except when it comes to jammy pants and Geranium dresses, apparently. :) And zip pouches, haha.

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  25. Anonymous6:17 PM

    Such a fun looking quilt! I can't imagine working with scraps that small.

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  26. I love your birch trees pattern, can't wait to make it! I recently completed a giant plus quilt for a friend-- I loved making it, and it turned out beautifully. I will make
    it again for my daughter. That said, I have made the same baby quilt pattern several times....there is lots of comfort in that, like visiting an old friend!

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  27. I usually never make the same pattern twice because, by the end of the process, I am sick of the quilt! However, I am making a super-simple, super-fast quilt pattern for all of the women in my family (in colors of their own choosing). We don't see each other often and this is a nice way to remember each other every day.

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  28. Seldom do I make the same quilt more than once since there are so many patterns that I want to make, but I think I will be making more than one of your Bright birch Trees. I am making it right now to donate for a private school fundraiser auction, but it is so much fun to make that I think I will make another to keep to take to our Florida condo since it is so bright. Also making the strips is not hard like some people indicated and such a good way to use scraps.

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  29. I do a repeat patterns. I like the challenge of trying to improve my process from the previous version and there is always the challenge of doing a pattern in a color way outside my comfort zone

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  30. Too many patterns I want to quilt. In sewing other things, yes I repeat patterns, but they get boring after 5, for me. Trying not to buy fabric till the new year. I say go to 100!

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  31. I want to make one of these but... intense.

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  32. Such a clever design, Amanda Jean! Your creativity knows know bounds. I like everything you make that's scrappy, and this one is particularly great. You sure make me think a lot about how to use up my small bits and scraps. The only quilt I've ever made more than once is a basic patchwork block quilt, for charity. Otherwise, a repeat is boring.

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  33. I do repeat patterns, like others have said, in different colors and more often because I learned something while doing the pattern, so the second quilt often turns out better too.

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  34. I want to do almost every pattern at least twice... I always think of a better color combo, the perfect fabrics or easier way that needs trying out while I'm working on a project that I just need to try out!

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  35. I love this design - mmm do I say that about everything you do !! the background colours really make it pop - are those AGF like your first one ? I need to put this pattern on my to-do list for early next year :)

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  36. It is usually one of a kind for me. I always think I should make the pattern again and improve on what I did the first time, but my attention span is just too short for follow through on that plan.

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  37. Your progress so far looks lovely. I don't normally do remakes, but there are some that call out to you to try it again. Good for you having so much self control and resisting any fabric purchases for so long!

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  38. Love the colours in this. I never repeat a pattern - there's too many on my list to make one twice! That said I will be repeating my Hexie Melody quilt so I have one for myself!

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  39. Love this pattern and it is on my to do list to use up all (?most ?some) of my scraps! I usually only make a pattern once - so much inspiration out there! Although I will admit I am fascinated by makers who do serial quilts of the same pattern, how each new take is different than the last.

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  40. Being a beginner quilter, I've repeated a pattern a few times, because I was thrilled with the results. They were all gifts so I guess I felt it was okay to the same pattern, as it gave me more confidence at that stage in my piecing skills. I love your birches pattern!

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  41. certainly teen weeny scraps used here. well done not buying any fabric for so long

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  42. For the most part I don't make the same pattern twice, but I have done the same table runner more than once for gifts. However, with different fabrics.

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  43. Amanda, I'm a One and done mostly.
    However w/your Bright Birch Tree's pattern I'm addicted! I've made 6 pillows using this pattern.
    Planning the background colors so a Quilt is next.
    Go for 100 days! I'm not buying either until I can see the middle of a storage bin where I keep my fabrics:)
    bluestarof2@yahoo.com

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  44. I love repeating a pattern if its one I truly had fun making. I do not like repeating the with the same fabrics and colours though...life is much too short and the sewing bucket list is soooo long to repeat too many of the same.
    Please do explain how you have improved since making your last Birch Trees.
    Melissa

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  45. I never use a pattern. I do get inspiration from seeing other people's quilts, but I just start with a piece of fabric that I like and start. Sometimes it comes out with the design I had in mind and other times I design it along the way. This really works best for me. I just get bogged down using a pattern.

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  46. I haven't repeated yet, although sometimes I think I want to, maybe with slight changes in color or something. That's why I like the idea of making a pattern so others can make it for me, with their own twists...but this one is so special, it's worth a repeat - love it!

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  47. Good for you on your fabric fast. I broke down yesterday with not one but two big orders. Ouch! But I can't wait for those packages to arrive.

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  48. I've repeated a few times, but usually if do, I'll change it just a little. I really like your birches pattern and hope to make it sometime...

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  49. i think i have 3 3-D bowtie quilts. i got stuck on that pattern when i was still hand piecing and quilting. now i am more of a one and done kind of quilter. SOO many patterns and SOOO little time. keep up the fast!

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  50. I love this idea. I am currently in a scrap frenzy so this is a good option. So far, I like "one and done" although I've had to repeat for pattern testing purposes and I rather just move on. LOL

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  51. I just adore this pattern and this little quilt!! I am thinking of using it as inspiration for a quilt about chickadees in our winter here in AK. Fun!! I am a new sewist, and have started getting away from using patterns and starting to move into improv, but really, I think that that can also be patterns! XX! Lori

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  52. I have made several patterns over and over, especially for baby quilts or t-shirt quilts. There have been a few I won't make again. Just not my style anymore or took too long! I have been trying to use up all my old ugly scaps and fabric by knitting them into rugs and table runners. Soon I will be ready to make some new patterns of quilts. Have been working on getting through the scraps for about a year, yes there were lots! Thank you so very much for your inspiration.

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  53. I always thought I was a one and done person, until recently. Now I seem to be stuck on the same few patterns, but I love the different takes on the same pattern. :D

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  54. I have several 'go to' patterns that are especially good to show off focus fabrics that I've used when I'm working with a theme. I also have a quick but nice small pattern that I use for alot of the charity quilts for the guild. It's Bonnie Hunters 'Streak Of Sunshine' and good use of some width of fabric leftovers. Often once I see a pattern made I then think "OH that would be good this other way too".

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  55. I've been eyeing this pattern forever! I love how this looks!

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  56. Yes! I used the same patterns with two entirely different color schemes which made the quilts look completely different. If it works, it ain't broken, right? However, it gets boring after two especially if done right after each other. I am also on a fabric purchase fast because I have fabric from two years ago I haven't used. When I buy new fabric I feel even more behind. And, then again, the budget needs no more hits right now.

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  57. WOW!! 94 days of no fabric purchasing! I am very impressed. I love how committed you are to using up the scraps of everything. I have "Sunday Morning Quilts" and have done the scrappy 2.5 inch one in a queen. Lots of seams, but so happy. I appreciate your blog and posts. Keep it up!

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  58. I love this pattern, and can't wait to make one of my own! Yes, I do re-use patterns - with our quilt ministry, we tend to use several basic patterns as teaching tools, so we re-use them in that way. But I also sometimes find a truly great pattern (like your chevron quilt pattern) that I can't resist making over and over!

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  59. There are a few I've done more than once, but I have to really love it. Your Birch pattern is so cute and such a great use of scraps. This type would be used more than once, since it's scrap friendly. Ones that require fat quarters to make them just so would really be a one and done kind of pattern.

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  60. Anonymous9:12 AM

    94 days without buying fabric? That is amazing self control. Congrats!!

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  61. LOVE the brightness!

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  62. Love the birch trees... I've been admiring pics of it for a long time, well before I ever found your blog. As for whether I make the same thing more than once, it really depends on the pattern. Some are just so labour intensive that you never want to go down that road again! ☺ I started on an idea of doing a "redux" of some of the patterns I made early in my quilting career... thinking it would be fun to compare and contrast where I am 15 years later!

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