Which Cherish size should I choose?
The complete guide!
Can I share some fun psychology facts with you today? Do you know that the more options we have, the less satisfied we are with the one we end up choosing? Or that we’re more likely to just not choose at all? Interestingly, we’re actually more prone to shop at places with more choices, because it makes us feel more independent and discerning, but once we make our purchase, we tend to look back at those ones we didn’t choose and wonder if they’d have been better. What a Catch 22!
When I made my original Cherish Quilt years ago, I decided on those 4” centre hexagons just for the fabric I was using. Then once I got close to kitting it up for the shop, I realised those HUGE hexagons didn’t fit in my beautiful packaging I’d so carefully picked out for my kits! Ugh!
For years, I created work-arounds and searched for better options, until finally one day I had my lightbulb moment - adjust the quilt to make it smaller! Of course!
While making that smaller version, I realised I actually preferred it. My small hands LOVE smaller pieces. I loved that it was quicker to finish a block and the block was easier to wrangle, and in the end, I loved that there were more blocks in the repeating pattern. But when I started telling quilter friends that I was planning to replace the larger version and they were appalled! “No! I prefer the larger version,” they said, “Keep it! Just have 2 options!”
And so, I chickened out of discontinuing the larger version, and made both sizes available. And, as the psychologists have known for years, I’ve always wondered if that was the right thing to do… ;P
For ages, I’ve wanted to map out a thorough comparison between the two sizes of my Cherish Quilt to lift some of the burden you may feel about making the “right” choice, and this week, I finally did it! I laid out the blocks side by side, talked about fabric choices and timing and how it feels to stitch them. And, most excitedly, I asked Lisa (sidekick) to make up some printable shape windows so that you can print them out, cut the centres out of the shapes, and lay them over your intended fabrics to see which size you like best! I hope that makes up for any choice regret I’ve unintentionally created by offering more than one size. ;D Click the button to read it now!
I hope you decide to sew your favourite size in the Cherish Club! We have a soft start in July, talking fabric while everyone’s paper pieces arrive, and then we’ll start stitching early August.
Happy stitching (and choosing!)
Jodi. xx
PS. Don’t forget! Cherish and fabric bundles are 15% off till Friday! After you’ve read the comparison, head to the shop and buy yours!
I think either way is beautiful. It gives people the opportunity to make a choice, and allows you to work within a space that gives you joy!
I love the smaller blocks, like you wrote, it creates a bit more movement 😍 It has been ages since I EPP something but you make it look really appealing to start again!