Emergence – To Rainbow or Not to Rainbow

LeahDay

Leah Day has been teaching online since 2009. She's the creator of the Free Motion Quilting Project, a blog filled with thousands of quilting tutorial videos. Leah has written several books including 365 Free Motion Quilting Designs, Explore Walking Foot Quilting with Leah Day, and Mally the Maker and the Queen in the Quilt.

30 Responses

  1. beaquilter says:

    wow, that looks fantastic! I know you will make up your mind and figure it out soon… hang it up and keep looking at it.

  2. Sally says:

    This is simply amazing work Leah!!! I am stunned at how detailed everything is on it… Awesome Job!!!

  3. Rachel says:

    I think it is beautiful, but it is for YOU. Is there any reason you can't sit on it for a week and see how you feel? Sometimes my best finishes need to marinate for a tiny bit to show me what the best for them is…if i keep looking at it and thinking "I wish I had put the rainbow in", well, then I know it needs a rainbow. However, if I keep looking at it and thinking "Gotta get that binding on"…well, it doesn't need a rainbow. Just my thoughts…Have a great day!!

  4. Anonymous says:

    well December is about over and then you can come up with a decision and get a new word….

    either way…. it will be a super quilt.

  5. Andi says:

    My 2 cents…add the rainbow. Emergence shows a way to reclaim joy, and it totally fits with the story of your sisters criticizing your childhood drawings. It will be a beautiful surprise when people flip the quilt to study your stitching!

  6. Joyce says:

    Well, I think if you want a rainbow,you should have a rainbow. It sounds as if they were very important to you as a child and your sisters "deprived" you of them.
    Reclaim your Rainbow as a symbol of you Emergence this past year.
    Happy New Year to you, Josh and James. xoxoxo
    Joyce

  7. Anonymous says:

    I do believe the rainbow is a "needed must" (my opinion based on a transparent post a while back on your sibling relationships). Although this will 'face the wall', you will know it's there and it's almost a fitting "closure" to some possible remaining memories/issues. It is something that I would do to grant myself peace. Either way, this piece is quite awesome and the front can definitely stand on it's own merits (which are enormous). Hugs, Doreen

  8. JoyfulJ says:

    It is gorgeous!!!
    I think either way you want…also some day do you mind doing a tutorial on your way of doing hanging sleeves? I've thought of adding sleeves to lap quilts and baby quilts if they wish to hang it instead of using it.

  9. Polly says:

    I think the key word from you is "fun". You said you think it would be fun to do. That is reason enough to add the rainbow!

  10. Nana B says:

    My vote, should it matter, is for the rainbow. One more week before the new year and then time to simplify.

    Your love of rainbows and the joy they bring you is what swayed me!

  11. Ann says:

    I do not feel you need to add the rainbow for two reasons:
    1. You promised yourself to stop overdoing and demanding too much from yourself – this is EXACTLY it.
    2. I would much rather look forward to seeing the splendid quilt you create with the rainbow as the main theme, and not stuck away on the back of another beautiful quilt. A landscape with sunrays behind it?

    Just imagine!

  12. First of all, I think your work is incredible. Now, there is one week left of 2011 and if you have already made the projects this year as hard as it can be, what is one more week of all out crazy hard? I agree that even though it is not necessary to make this quilt spectacular, it will indeed make it YOURS and reclaim what has been taken from you, in a strong, purposeful statement. You should have the most spectacular rainbow hanging in your home forever! Give yourself the rainbow this week, finish it and hang it. Use it as a room divider if that means you can see both sides! Then get a new word and start 2012 with a new plan, new slate, new goal etc. You deserve it!
    That is my two cents!
    Have a great day.

  13. Valerie says:

    This is an amazing quilt!! In my opinion, you should put the rainbow on the back. It will not be complete without it. It will show that your work is finished, the Emergence and the fulfillment of the rainbow. As the year has one week left, so should the quilt have one week left. It will be the perfect ending for the year you are delivered for anyone else's opinions or how you live life. Make 2012 the year of making yourself happy and those around you happy. Have a wonderful New Year and thanks for all you have brought to quilters everywhere.

  14. Marjorie says:

    Make the rainbow in such a way that it becomes the hanging sleeve. If you make the rainbow as it's own mini quilt, attach it on the top and at the distance that would be the sleeve.

  15. Mom C says:

    Even though I read your last post about Emergence I didn't understand how the sun would fit. It is absolutely gorgeous! You do such incredible work and this quilt is amazing. I agree with most of the posts, you have a strong link to rainbows and it seems it would bring additional closure to add one to this quilt. You've put so much into it, time, labor, emotions, it would be such a waste to finish it off and then later not feel it was truly complete. You know how you feel, good luck.

  16. Gail says:

    "Over-the-Top" Awesomeness! Yes, I vote for the rainbow. It sounds like you have already designed it so I reeeeeally think you want the rainbow in spite of the additional time to finish your quilt. It will bring a smile to your face every time you see it. 🙂

  17. jojobyrd says:

    Leah,
    Congratulations on getting so much done on "Emergence". I am finishing up a knitted 6' x 6' aphfan based on a Piet Mondrain painting for my son and want it done by the New Year. I understand wanting to be done with a major project. But I am enjoying the process so much, that if it is not done by the first of the year, who cares? I'm into this blanket to have a good time and make a nice gift for my son.

    One thought, if you added the rainbow to the back of the quilt, could it be used as a room divider in a space and seen from the front and back simultaneously? That might be a cool use for a quilt. Anyway, whatever you do, the quilt is beautiful. You imspire to be find my inner "artist".

    Best,
    BJ from Charlotte

  18. Teresa says:

    A wise person once told me that "You'll never regret your extravagances in life, but you will regret not taking opportunities when they arise."
    Personally, I think you should listen to your inner voice. You've already said how important rainbows are for you, that they make you happy.
    I think you need to add a rainbow. This is the conclusion of your goddess series, you have emerged, you have grown immensely over the last year. I think the symbolism of the rainbow will be one you'll never regret.

  19. Kathleen says:

    If you piece the back and then quilt it what will the back look like? It is a lot of work to piece a back and then plan the quilting to make the pieced back look good.

  20. Kathleen says:

    If you piece the back and then quilt through everything, what will the back look like? (I suspect it will not look so hot but you probably are planning somehow it to look good.) It is a lot of extra work to make a pieced back look good AFTER the quilting.

  21. Without the rainbow would you always look at it and see it as incomplete? Or would you see it's completed and get the closure you need? I think in your heart you will find the answer and even if it means more work you know in you mind that moving forward you won't over do future projects but sometimes you have to just finish up on the right one.

  22. Sue says:

    If symbolism is what you're going for (and it seems you are) then I wouldn't hide your rainbow behind another quilt, facing the wall. I would create a new, beautiful rainbow quilt that stands alone, front and center, to show the world your colors!

    But this is YOUR quilt, and you have to do what will make you happy and fulfilled.

    Whatever you decide, your quilt will be a masterpiece!

  23. Sheila says:

    Enough already. Move on. The world awaits…..

  24. Georgina says:

    Maybe you should do a rainbow, it could be cathartic. Perhaps incorporate into a new bold and beautiful quilt like your Emergence. Well done, your quilts are stunning.

  25. Quilts and quilting should be joyful and fullfilling.

    Add the rainbow but do not "bust my tail for another week" doing it. Take your time, no rush, enjoy the process.

    60 years from now you will still have this beautiful quilt and will love it.

  26. Ethne says:

    Deep deep down do you see this quilt as complete? Did you ever, at the start of this design see it with a rainbow? Think long and hard because when you add the rainbow now that's it.
    Personally I see a new quilt a quilt of colour and joy, something that springs from Emergence, not something that's part of it. Take 2012 and develop what you've decided and learnt from your discussions in 2011 and create a new goddess quilt, another transformation ;o)

  27. S says:

    Hi Leah,

    You already know the answer… listen to your heart.

    ~ Jae ~

  28. Mrsblocko says:

    If you think adding the rainbow to the quilt would be fun/enjoyable then you should go for it. If it seems like "work" to you then leave it simple.

  29. Go for it.

    Why ?

    You said it "FUN"

    Why not have some fun instead of hassle ?

  30. Annie says:

    The answer is rainbow. The answer is always rainbow (coming from another adult that loves them)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *