Constant evolution

Many moons ago before Material Obsession was my obsession I started designing quilts.  This happened mostly because I can't follow directions.  Try as I might, my quilts never looked like the ones in the pictures.  Turning lemons into lemonade became my objective as I set out to make quilts that were a reaction to how I work.  Even back then my quilts were often inspired by the fabric before my eyes.  One of the quilts that I designed I called Fairies in the Garden.

It is a simple quilt using one of my favorite blocks, the Ohio Star with a bit variation.  Back then I made Flying Geese blocks with one rectangle and two squares so I then used the cut off half square triangles to make the alternate block.  Waste not, want not.  I am noting to myself that even back then I loved using stripes.  They consolidate my palette and give dynamic effect to the overall energy of the quilt.  This quilt has been folded up in a pile in my studio for years.  I decided to resurect the pattern with a new range of fabric earlier this year.  With great hopes of making an easy quilt fast I took home the Storyboek range from birch fabrics.  It sat there until two days ago when I found it while rummaging through may "Make it IMMEDIATELY" stack...

It started with the star block but quickly started becoming something else.  The design wall is a great way to exercise options.  I knew I had to make the star blocks first before I could play with the setting. I no longer make flying geese blocks without using my Marti Michele Flying Geese ruler which has no waste so I don't have the left over triangles...besides if I did I would be doing the same thing twice and that NEVER happens so it ended up like this...

There were a few options in between that played with the amounts of fabric I had available.  I chose this one because I like the way the shapes change as my eye flits around the quilt.  The final setting allows the grey to make a bit of a secondary pattern in the background which adds a bit of interest.  It is now the perfect size for a cot quilt.  AND it is neither girl or boy colours but both so a great quilt to make for a baby with undisclosed gender!  Deer Park...coming soon.

What next?  How to quilt it.  It was easy to select three perle 8 colours from my collection.

Then what to do for a pattern?  Well, there are a lot of straight lines.  I am currently doing a quilt with lots of stems and leaves so I think with this one I'll go the direct route and find a pattern that is mindless.  My book colleciton is now starting to include books that discuss quilting and present lots of options.  It is handy to thumb through books that feature quilting styles as it is a quick leap to visualise my quilt.

From the disaster that is my work space I found a pattern in Quilting Designs from the Past by Jenny Carr Kinney.   There are lots of great ideas in here.  It is possible to use them as they are presented or to change them slightly to fit the project.

I like this one and the way the lines cross each other to form the four patch.  It will be interesting to see if this is actually what happens when I sit down and actually start this quilt but it is a plan and now I can move onto the next project.  Soon I will have about 10 quilts to quilt before going back to work.  That only scares me a little.

Anyway, still enjoying the holidays.  We have been busy at the shop sorting and organising so that it is ready to start up on Monday.  Hoping you too are enjoying some spontaneous quilting.  Can't imagine a beter way to spend the day! k

Comments

[Judy Murdoch]

Always a good way to go "lemons into lemonade". Judy.

[Victoria]

Lovely! I like the way it turned out! great color! I just bought that book as well! got it last week, so I could ponder over it over xmas break... Hope your holidays were grand!

[Bluquilt]

Love that soft red and grey together. Looking forward to seeing this one quilted. PS: Happy new year!

[cardygirl]

Loving your projects...looking forward to being there soon.

[Meg]

I love the thoughts on quilting patterns. "Quilt as desired" always sends a shiver of panic through me -- I have no idea what I desire and a lot of concern about ruining a great top with a poor choice! I'm going to try to order the book you've shown. Hope you're having a great new year! xxxooo Meg

[Amy]

Love the pattern. The newer quilt looks like a totally different quilt. Yes I also saw lots of straight lines to quilt. You will definitely make something "move" in how you quilt it and in what colour. I am looking forward to seeing the result.

[Barbara Craxton]

Purchased this book on a (quilting)detour through Denver @ Harriet'S (Hargraves) Treadle Arts during our summer of being U.S.Bike Tour Junkies..love it. look forward to seeing the results.

[Anna]

such fun! The Ohio Star is my favorite block also!