Local modifications

[MissingOxygen]

I read a few posts that said people were planning to substitute trees for some houses because they live in more rural areas. And I think someone is planning to do houses in a 4 seasons theme. I am in Colorado (that's why I'm Missing Oxygen, lol) and would like some ideas for incorporating mountains into the background or maybe some Colorado-ish things for the corner buildings like the Eiffel Tower. So I thought I would start a topic where we can post ideas and pictures of the local modifications people are making to reflect where they live as they make this quilt their own.

Note to admin: if there's a better, more descriptive title for this topic, please adjust.

[Anne B.]

I remember Barbara saying in one of her videos that she would go over ways that we could personalize it. I would want to have some of the buildings of Chicago, as opposed to the Big Ben, and the other building that are in original quilt.

[Marti O.]

I thought about doing something with the four houses on the second circle N S E W instead of the corners. Thoughts are local buildings/geological features or making the houses look like our house and the kids houses or something from where they live. Not sure yet. Just thinking.

Looking forward to seeing what others come up with as we move forward.

Marti

[Carol M.]

I also am thinking i about changing at least one of the corner buildings. The title of the quilt is Color my World. My personal day to day life may be small but my whole world includes the whole planet. Using skyscrapers or symbols from all corners of the earth is what attracted me to the quilt. Our small quiet lives are part of something much bigger. Thank you Wendy Williams.

[Helen W.]

I read a few posts that said people were planning to substitute trees for some houses because they live in more rural areas. And I think someone is planning to do houses in a 4 seasons theme. I am in Colorado (that's why I'm Missing Oxygen, lol) and would like some ideas for incorporating mountains into the background or maybe some Colorado-ish things for the corner buildings like the Eiffel Tower. So I thought I would start a topic where we can post ideas and pictures of the local modifications people are making to reflect where they live as they make this quilt their own.

Note to admin: if there's a better, more descriptive title for this topic, please adjust.

Missing Oxygen
I am not admin. but how about CMW (color my world) Personalized Structures or Blocks. I like the idea. Mountains should be fairly easy if you draw lines on your house pattern piece before
you freezer paper piece it. You could fussy cut mountain fabric if you want it to look realistic. Just a few ideas. Should be fun. HelenW

[MissingOxygen]

I am not admin. but how about CMW (color my world) Personalized Structures or Blocks. I like the idea. Mountains should be fairly easy if you draw lines on your house pattern piece before
you freezer paper piece it. You could fussy cut mountain fabric if you want it to look realistic. Just a few ideas. Should be fun. HelenW

Thank you HelenW! I like that title. I don't know how to edit the topic title, so hopefully an admin will make that change to be more clear. Also, thanks for the suggestion about the mountain fabric. I am wondering if it might work better to applique the finished houses onto mountain fabric instead of trying to make it look right during the paper piecing stage?Maybe instead of the corner iconic buildings I'll use different versions of evergreen trees or a giant elk, lol, since Colorado is more known for trees and mountains and animals than for uniquely recognizable buildings.

[Helen W.]

MissingOxygen,
I just googled paper pieced mountains and there are ideas out there that would work. You would probably need to use the wedge shape as a template to draw the mountains.
Here is a screenshot of one I found that might adapt easily. HelenW

[MissingOxygen]

Thanks HelenW. I will look at those.

[Annis C.]

I didn't find a tree fabric to fussy cut so decided to just draw the trees and piece them. I will be using the school house, church, barn, and country house on the corners of the center section with the trees next to them. The school house and church have more pieces than I wanted so may simplify them. I'm looking forward to seeing what changes others make. I'm going to make a coloring sheet with my changes before starting so won't have any blocks made for awhile.

[Marcia P.]

I am in Toronto, ON, Canada and would also like to customize some of the corner buildings to local ones. How do I adapt a picture? I would also like to substitute a 6 pointed star for the mariner's compass. How might I do that? Marcia

[Barbara B.]

Bubbe, in the Fall I will give dimensions for the skyscraper corners. You will then draw any building you want to substitute.

Next month the Mariners Compass is released and you will know what size the circle is so you can find a different design for that space.

[Helen W.]

I am in Toronto, ON, Canada and would also like to customize some of the corner buildings to local ones. How do I adapt a picture? I would also like to substitute a 6 pointed star for the mariner's compass. How might I do that? Marcia

Marcia, For the 6 pointed star you need to wait until Feb. when we find out the size of the block. Are you planning on doing your world as paper pieced or applique. The Mariner's
Compass is a circular block, so you will need to change the square to a circle. I will start thinking about how that could be done. For your Corner Local Buildings, you will
need pictures of the buildings. It will be summer before we get to that part. The weather will be better by that time. Take photos or get permission to use photos from Chamber of Commerce or where you can find photo you like. Then it will involve putting in on a light box or window and tracing the main structural lines so it is recognizable. Should be fun!!!
HelenW

[Helen W.]

I didn't find a tree fabric to fussy cut so decided to just draw the trees and piece them. I will be using the school house, church, barn, and country house on the corners of the center section with the trees next to them. The school house and church have more pieces than I wanted so may simplify them. I'm looking forward to seeing what changes others make. I'm going to make a coloring sheet with my changes before starting so won't have any blocks made for awhile.

Annis (ajclapp), Love your ideas. It will help everyone visualize how to go about modifications to the patterns. Did you draw you diagrams in EQ8? I have not gotten into the Polydraw
part of the program much and will need to "book up" if I plan to use it for my changes. Are you planning on staying with 32 wedges in small house circle, or are you combing
a couple wedge dimensions together? Like you, there is a lot going on in my head, and my actual construction is a way down the line. What size quilt are you doing?
You are a very talented and gifted quilter. Love all you stuff I have seen in the past. HelenW

[Marcia P.]

would like to try paper piecing but am amenable to appliqué. I have never done a block of the month before.

[Helen W.]

would like to try paper piecing but am amenable to appliqué. I have never done a block of the month before.

bubee, Sometimes it takes the best of both to get the look you want. Most people start by following the patterns rather than diving into the deep end of the swimming pool.
You have to been ready for making a lot of mistakes along the way. What seems easy as a vision in your head is often a lot harder to make happen and have it all come together.
Sounds like you are new to paper piecing? Have you done raw edge applique? HelenW