You may remember that about two months ago I was "gifted" with a charm pack of Salt Air by Cosmo Cricket from Connie over at Quilting by the River in honor of her birthday. I was determined to use this with solids and white, and struggled for a while with layouts and block construction. I pieced a lot of four-patches using various greens alternating with the patterned fabric.
Even though I wasn't terribly happy with the first layouts, I kept on going (you have NO idea how many four-patches I made). Yesterday I finally got the last of the center top pieced, and started work on the borders. I'm a sort of "slash and finish it" kind of border gal.....but I was determined to make pieced borders that "floated" on the top. There is no doubt that it was much slower, but I'm pretty happy with the finished product:
I'm really taken with the color palette here....quite outside my normal range, with a lot of muted colors contrasting with bolder solids. Does anybody have any "naming" ideas?
With the remainder of the four-patches and alternating 2-1/2" squares, I made up a pieced back (another thing I admire, but rarely take the time to do), using up large strips of the same solids that I used to frame the four-patches on the top:
(Yes, the back is hanging in front of the top, which is showing through....reminding me I need a good batting choice to keep the front and back from 'shadowing'---ask me how I know that)......
It was fun to work on my own design, and I'm glad I took the time to work out the math and get those borders on accurately. It seems that once I get the basic top done, I'm always in a hurry to "finish" and move on to the next project. Does that ever happen to you?
I must say I am pretty satisfied that I let the design process evolve and didn't let myself be distracted by my "get it done" tendencies.
Over the weekend, I have in mind several projects that I've been itching to make more progress on.....my king-sized Summerbreeze quilt (yes, it's "percolating" since I can't decide whether I like my design or not), and I've started some handwork for an applique group I joined. We're working on "broderie perse" as a learning project:
Here's my vase and flowers that will be eventually be appliqued down. It's been a long time since I did needleturn.....
There are seven quilts awaiting bindings (ugh), so I guess I'd better get moving! Looking forward to some sun after several days of clouds and thunderstorms. But look what I got a picture of the other night:
Why do rainbows always fill us with a certain sense of wonder? I know all about the physics involved, but I'm always taken anew by their spontaneous nature....they are just "there." Have a great Memorial Day weekend, everybody!
Kathy
7 comments:
Your quilt front and back is wonderful. LOVE the colors. And the floating border, is wonderful, really sets it off nicely :)
Kathy I love your quilt and the Salt Air fabrics look so neat! I love the floating border too. I am no good at naming quilts sorry. I use Warm & Natural batting and haven't had any problem with the back showing through on the quilts I have made with pieced darker backs. What do you use?
Thanks so much for sharing!
Maybe its a "Kathy" thing, but I am the same way about borders (and bindings). By the time the main part of the quilt top is done, I just want to FINISH already and usually throw on a border of the closest fabric I can find. Your quilt is beautiful... definitely worth the time and effort to add that border of the floating, pieced blocks.
That is a "drop dead gorgeous" quilt! I love your colors and your design! Good job!
The quilting looks amazing! Possibly 4-squared for the name?
borders and binding are the worst! I tend to wait till I'm in the mood to add them onto a quilt. Quilting takes long enough! =D
I'm hosting a new swap over at my blog if anyone is interested please pop over for a look =D
http://ibescheraldine.blogspot.co.uk/p/goodie-bag-swap.html
I like it when a top and a backing coordinate..it seems to complete the design...Very nice.
Love that Salt Air quilt, both front and back! Beautiful colors and design!! Whoop whoop!!
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