My bug quilt came together nicely. I finished it with a facing and hung it on my design wall with 5 ladybugs in place. Was it done? I’d made 20 small ladybugs in anticipation of placing them on the quilt. Making them was like eating potato chips, I couldn’t stop myself. Should they infest my quilt? I’d hate to waste them, they’re so cute.
Because of the tippy-ness caused by the shanks on the buttons, I couldn’t get a good visual by just laying them out. I asked for a critique from my friends in the ThreadBenders group and got a number of good suggestions. The best was from Lori who recommended I cut circles from red paper and audition some layouts.
Here it is with just the five larger ladybugs attached:
And here are 3 more options using the paper circles for the ladybugs. #1:
#2:
and #3:
I laid out one using 15 of the little ladies and I thought the quilt looked like it had the measles, so I knew 20 would be way too many.
I took it to my quilt retreat and got a lot of opinions there, along with this crazy photo:
taken by my crazy friends:
I wish I could have waited for all of your input, but it needed to be finished before this post would reach you. I was grateful for everyone’s opinions and, in the end, I got to make the final decision. So what did I decide?
I decided five was enough. I was sad about leaving the smaller ladybugs off. They’ll have to wait for a future project.
I could use your help with one last decision. Coming up with a name is driving me buggy. What should I name it?
Bug Bouquet
Insect~themum (like chrysanthemum)
Blooming Bugs
Bugs in Bloom
Call the Exterminator (that was Mike’s 😊)
I’m open to your suggestions. Please vote for one of the above, or send original titles to me as a comment to this post.
********************
And here’s one last photo in honor of St. Patrick’s Day.
I met Marion at the Winter Quilt show a few weeks ago and she told me about the many quilts she’s made from men’s neckties. Recently she sent me this photograph. She said people just give ties to her, and she must have quite a collection to be able to make a Dresden plate block that so perfectly fits the theme. What a wonderful way to use those crazy ties. Thanks Marion!
Laurie N says
Top O’ the mornin to ya,
Love the Bug quilt. I would name it “Bugs in Bloom.” I like the kaleidoscope effect of bugs coming out from the center to the sides. Or you could call it “ kaleidoscope of Bugs.” I love lady bugs so I would have the five in the center and the ones on the outside above the big butterflies 🦋 🐞. Although Mike’s suggestion is a hoot!
That Dresden tie tablecloth is darling. Gives me more ideas! Everything is excellent!
Keep those Irish eyes smiling!
Blessings wished to everyone,
Laurie
Patty Holt says
That would have been my choice too, the first one. Less is more. I would title it ” Bugs in Bloom” a take on the Milwaukee Art Museum exhibit coming “Art in Bloom”.
It is a beautiful quilt!
Mary MILLER says
I would call the quilt Flutter.
I like #1. Simpler the better. Too many makes it look cluttered
Crystal Gaeth says
My choice is “Bug Bouquet”. The way they are arranged reminds be of a beautiful bouquet of flowers.
Sue Kilgore says
love your comment and I totally agree with every word!
Sue Kilgore
Barb says
Blooming Bugs
Mary Coffee says
I would call it Garden Joy because that’s what I felt when I looked at it 🙂
Margit Kagerer says
I love your quilt. When it comes to the title you should chose one that includes the beautiful butterflies which are not bugs. Even ladybugs are not real bugs. ( from the web: Although ladybugs and butterflies are both insects, and often are found in flowers, they differ in many aspects. Ladybug, ladybird or lady beetle is the common name of the small beetles from the family Coccinellidae, while a butterfly is an individual part of the order Lepidoptera. In addition to biological classification, ladybugs and butterflies differ in appearance, number of species, feeding habits and lifespan.) Think of being correct when children see your quilt. Maybe your title should refer to the beautiful wings of all the insects in your quilt. Sorry: I was a teacher.
Heather Hickling says
While Mike’s suggestion is clever, I vote for Bug Bouquet.
Janet S. says
I like Bugs in Bloom. The quilt turned out really cute. If you had added any smaller ladybugs, I liked #1 which only had a few. Now you get to be creative with 20 small ladybugs! 💕
Jane Petersen says
Why not use your original comment “Driving Me Buggy!”
Eileen D. says
I like #1 with fewer lady bugs. I like the title “Bugs in Bloom.”
Charlotte Marie Blaskowski says
Bug bouquet. Looks so much like floral bouquet. so pretty.
Mary Crow says
Love your bug bouquet! What to do with extra bugs? Are you making a hanger that is above or exposed? Your ladybugs could rest on there,maybe? Love the butterflies 🦋
Sally says
I vote for Bug Bouquet. However since Butterflies and Lady Bugs aren’t really bugs maybe a name that implies all these creatures live in my garden. How about My Living Garden or something similar?
Debbie H says
Simplicity is great…..I liked the 5 ladybug buttons…..Calling it “Wings” was what I thought of as I admired it. Wonderful job, Chris! Beautiful colors 🙂
MariLynn Bergmark says
‘’Goin’ Buggy”
Sue Harris says
Let’s Save Them
Debby Abe says
I like bugs in bloom 😉💜
Mary says
Bugs in Bloom is my vote as well! hugs, thank you for your help with my quilt piecing. Hugs and blessings.
Margaret says
My opinion: 5 ladybugs was the perfect compliment to 5 of everything else … and (as somebody else said) … they are not all bugs, so “Wings” is the consistent feature.
Ardene Brown says
Love your quilt and I agree 5 is the best numbers.
Judy says
I thought looking at your finished project that you could call it ” Ready to Fly” because it looks like the bugs are ready to take off.
Mary D’Amico says
My vote is Call the exterminator!
Lends a bit of lighthearted humor to a lovely and creative work of art