Eileen De Ville

Agree. Too much work went into the making. Do a little each day before working on current projects. I like the idea of pillows. A good steaming (not ironing) would get out the wrinkles. Like the pattern.

Teri D

This sounds crazy but I'd add even MORE puckers in the background during pressing (if possible) and then sew over them to create a "textured" background. You could fuse the whole thing onto a fusible fleece to "preserve" the existing texture too. If you've ever taken a close look at some of the pieces shown in the international quilt exhibitions, you've seen examples of this technique -- backgrounds that are purposely "bunched up" to add interest and dimensionality.

jeaninmaine

Don't forget that it might pucker a little more when you wash it, to add to it's charm.

MadQuilter

Interesting options. Thanks for all the feedback.

JoanneS

Finish them into a quilt and enter the 'Ugly Quilt Contest' the next time it comes around. You may have a good chance to win, although I do have a few 'lost' blocks somewhere ~ ~ ~

qltnmom

Quilt the heck out of it starting in the center. Then square it up to get rid of some of the waves. Failing that, just quilt if a little and call it a 'friendly' quilt.

MacThayer

I took all of my old UFO's and separated them. I kept the quilt tops/projects I want to finish. That reduced the pile by 2/3. Any quilt top that was decent, I donated to a local charity that makes quilts for kids. Of the rest, I took some blocks here and there, but for the most part, I tossed them out What was I thinking? Who picked these awful fabrics? How did this mis-match of color end up being put together? All the awful stuff is gone. Now I can go cheerfully into my sewing room doing the "Happy Dance", instead of full of dread over this UFO's I'm "supposed" to want to finish.

RugosaB

I have seen, somewhere on this internet, a quilt that used blocks that had gathered fabric. Maybe use those and this block will fit right in?

http://pbtex.com/html/free_patterns.html 'Mod twist' about 1/3 down

If you do a search on pinterest for "3D quilts" a lot of things will pop up.

I think using the block, with lots of fmq, like someone said, and then surrounding it with a lot of 3D elements in a quilt, will tend to make it blend in.

You did say you like the colors, which is madatory!

MadQuilter

Not sure I agree with that assessment. I don't think it is ugly just a little misguided.

Greenheron

I agree with DOTTYMO. I love the colors and pattern. Perhaps you could stuff the green petals before sandwiching, quilt the background and sew buttons on the red centers and big French knots in the gold instead of quilting. If you like the country look giant rickrack or ruche could help tame the puffiness.