All the blocks are now finished for my Liberty Hatbox Wallhanging and I have the fabric for the backing, the sashing and the quilting can begin.
This bright one was a bone of contention as I didn’t feel it went with the rest of the blocks although lots of you did.
I made another one to try it out. The hatbox fabric is a Liberty of London tana lawn which has a musical ‘Hello Kitty’ theme and I’ve been looking for an excuse to use it.
I don’t actually prefer this block to the other one but I think it fits in with the others better.
Here’s the first trial layout which includes the bright one.
and here’s the second that includes the Hello Kitty one.
What do you think? The jury’s still out and I haven’t joined anything together yet.
I chose this fabric from a local shop for the backing. I was going to do it using scraps or just any old thing but, in the end, I wanted something I liked because even if you won’t be able to see it I will know it’s there.
You can just make out the simple machine quilting I’ve done – it has to be simple machine quilting otherwise I can’t do it 🙂 .
Here’s a front view of the one and half blocks I’ve quilted so far – well I’ve quilted two blocks really but couldn’t get two complete ones in the photo and still show the quilting. Still, you get my drift.
I’ve just echoed the lines of the hatbox and done some widely spaced horizontal lines across the background.
Now for the sashing. It just so happened that Liberty of London had a sale on and they had what I think might be the perfect tana lawn to use to represent something that looks like the grain of wooden shelving or some sort of compartments separating the hatboxes. It was reduced to £9 per metre from £22.50 which is cheap enough for any old fabric, let alone Liberty tana lawn. I think it would make a really nice man’s shirt too. (I think they’ve still got some fabrics in the sale at that price here.)
What do you reckon?
I might have added the Liberty shop money box to my basket at the same time. Oops!
Ooh, and a tea-towel.
I might make it into a cushion – or a beach bag.
Only ten hatboxes left to quilt for my wallhanging and now Kate over at Tall Tales from Chiconia has completed all the hatbox blocks she needs for the quilt she’s making with hers so she can begin thinking about quilting and assembly now too.
Don’t forget to let me know your thoughts.
Tialys 
#1 by katechiconi on July 2, 2017 - 11:09
I *think* I prefer the version with the brighter hatbox. It just seems more balanced somehow, with some muted, some bright, some big patterns, some tiny, etc. If you take the pink one out, the remaining bright ones seem to stand out too much. But of course, that could be an effect of the photos, and it works better in real life. My post has just gone up with the last two, and I’m feeling a bit sad that this phase of the work is over, but of course, now I get to play with layout and quilting too! Deeply envious of your little Liberty splurge too, especially that totally lavish tea towel! And I really like the grained-effect fabric for your ‘shelves’.
#2 by tialys on July 3, 2017 - 13:35
If you are too sad you could always make another one 😉
#3 by katechiconi on July 3, 2017 - 16:35
Yes indeed, that would only take me *another* couple of years…
#4 by tialys on July 3, 2017 - 18:27
What’s the rush? 😉
#5 by katechiconi on July 4, 2017 - 10:37
I don’t want to repeat myself… I love the process, so perhaps I need to come up with a new design!
#6 by tialys on July 4, 2017 - 10:46
Do you like the rice bowls? I’m not completely sure but, in the right colours, they would look good in a dining room/area.
#7 by katechiconi on July 4, 2017 - 10:54
I like the blue and white ones, but I find them a bit repetitive, pretty much all the same. I really do need to think of something new that will let me play with different fabrics.
#8 by KerryCan on July 2, 2017 - 11:47
I think I still prefer the bright one, too–but you need to go with what speaks to you! I think the bright one adds zip to the whole mix, although I’m not sure I’d place it where it is, so close to the only other block with a lot of yellow. Your shopping looks like a lot of fun–the little Liberty bank is so cute!
#9 by tialys on July 3, 2017 - 13:34
Yes, I think I’ll play around a bit further with them all before finally deciding – meanwhile I can at least get on with the quilting.
#10 by peggycooperquilts on July 2, 2017 - 13:13
Ha….you shop like I do. I just push the cart around and things just magically appear in it when I reach the cashier. 🙂 Your hat box blocks are cute.
#11 by tialys on July 3, 2017 - 13:32
I can do it online just as well as in actual shops – I’m multi-talented where spending money is concerned 😉
#12 by craftycreeky on July 2, 2017 - 15:04
I like both layouts, but I think I prefer the pink one in, it helps to make the quilt pop, balances with the other brighter ones. Love the tea towel 🙂
#13 by tialys on July 3, 2017 - 13:30
I think I’ll quilt all thirteen, lay them out again and make a final decision, finally.
#14 by claire93 on July 2, 2017 - 15:24
I like the Hello Kitty one ^^
#15 by tialys on July 3, 2017 - 13:29
Why am I not surprised? =^^=
#16 by anne54 on July 3, 2017 - 01:42
While I love the bright one, I prefer the layout without it. They are all smaller motifs and blend well together. But, as Kerry says, go with your gut feeling. You are the one who is going to be looking at it, and you don’t want to have any “If only….” thoughts. Have fun with the quilting.
#17 by tialys on July 3, 2017 - 13:28
You’re right – I hate those ‘if only…’ thoughts.
#18 by dezertsuz on July 3, 2017 - 05:35
I would think the only reason needed for buying Liberty Lawn on sale is … it’s on sale! I know you like it a lot, so I’m glad you bought it. That money box is adorable! I like the 9 blocks without the bright yellow one better. It can always be a pillow to go on top of the quilt or something.
#19 by tialys on July 3, 2017 - 13:25
Yes, I won’t be wasting it!
#20 by jendavismiller on July 3, 2017 - 14:44
My very favorite block is the third one in the second row (both pictures). I love Sue’s idea of using the “rejected” block as a pillow! The stripey, grainy Liberty fabric will be perfect! Anxious to see this beauty all completed.
#21 by tialys on July 3, 2017 - 18:28
Aaah! You like a bit of chinoiserie do you?
#22 by jendavismiller on July 4, 2017 - 02:26
Why yes I do!
#23 by Dartmoor Yarns on July 3, 2017 - 16:49
BRING BACK THE BRIGHT ONE!!!!!!
#24 by tialys on July 3, 2017 - 18:26
Hmmm. I might still do that – or make yet another one until I’m satisfied.
#25 by Dartmoor Yarns on July 3, 2017 - 18:52
Or maybe keep making other ones until you have two wall hangings?
#26 by Dartmoor Yarns on July 3, 2017 - 16:50
PS Love the money box 🙂
#27 by tialys on July 3, 2017 - 18:26
Just had to have it!
#28 by Dartmoor Yarns on July 3, 2017 - 18:51
Of Course 🙂
#29 by nanacathy2 on July 3, 2017 - 18:00
Love those hat boxes and the money box
#30 by tialys on July 3, 2017 - 18:25
Thank you – I don’t know whether there’ll ever be any money in it.
#31 by poshbirdy on July 4, 2017 - 11:14
I love the bright one, but it all looks good. That backing is lovely too
#32 by tialys on July 5, 2017 - 08:32
Thank you.
#33 by Emma on July 4, 2017 - 22:39
The sashing fabric is just awesome for that project! Honestly the bright pink box doesn’t shock me on the picture and I do love those bright colours 😊
#34 by tialys on July 5, 2017 - 08:14
I love them too but it’s going on the wall in a bedroom where the colours are muted which is the only thing giving me pause. I’ll wait until all the blocks are quilted and then I’ll have another play with the layout.
#35 by magpiesue on July 6, 2017 - 19:41
Without having read the other comments, my gut reaction is to use the brighter box. The newest version reads too “mushy” to my eyes (that’s a technical term you know; it means there isn’t enough contrast between the various elements). Still, you’re the one who can stand back from the composition and see what you like best. I’ll have one of those Liberty money boxes by the way. 😉 What a great place to save up for the next binge!
#36 by tialys on July 6, 2017 - 21:08
Yes, I was a bit worried it was too mushy – although I didn’t know that was what it was called. I might even make yet another one just to try.
#37 by Janice Marriott on July 6, 2017 - 22:32
Who can resist a Lubery sale, just as well you dont get the Liberty instagram account.
https://www.instagram.com/libertylondon/?hl=en
#38 by tialys on July 7, 2017 - 08:08
I’m not even going to click on that you temptress – I’ve already put two orders in on their online sale so I think that’d better be it for now.
#39 by M. L. Kappa on July 9, 2017 - 19:25
Still like the bright one!😬 I think it makes the whole thing pop. Now you’re more confused than ever 😂
#40 by tialys on July 16, 2017 - 09:09
Never mind – I’ll get there in the end.
#41 by sewchet on July 12, 2017 - 12:46
Love ’em all, so no help whatsoever, I’m afraid! Go with your first instinct, I say, and make something else with the rogue block:)
#42 by tialys on July 16, 2017 - 09:05
Yes, I’ll probably end up with a couple of ‘hatbox cushions’ by the time I’m finished.