I have had Tula Pink's newest book, City Sampler, on my brain for a while. I spotted it as an Amazon pre-order quite a while ago and I was excited. A BIG sampler quilt with no y-seams, applique, paper piecing, or templates - sign me up!
But still, I was hesitant. My only other experience with a sampler produced this Hushabye quilt and I am less than thrilled with it. I like the block patterns but my biggest mistake was my choice of fabrics. I like the Hushabye collection but using it all together was too much pastel for me. When I look at other Blockapalooza quilts - I love them because other people made more appealing fabric choices than I did.
I love the rainbow version of the City Sampler on the cover of the book - but I think I have had my fill of rainbows for now. I made two rainbow quilts this past year - one with Lizzy House fabrics and another one with Anna Maria Horner fabrics.
Am I the only modern quilter who has trouble defining my own style and preferences? I think the issue for me is that I like SO much out there. I love reproduction-ish fabrics like City Weekend and Hello Betty. I always appreciate beautiful fabrics by such diverse artists as Denyse Schmidt, Amy Butler, Laurie Wisbrun, Tula Pink, Ann Kelle, Heather Ross, Erin McMorris and so much more. I even like the darker/more masculine lines by Parson Gray, I love Japanese fairy tale prints, I swoon for Creative Thursday, and the newer lines by Camille Roskelley are to die for. By naming all of these designers - I am not trying to sound like a label/brandname snob - I am just trying to share how diverse my tastes are.
Of all of the quilts that I have made so far - my favorite ones tend to have a "controlled scrappy" look. When I make a quilt that has only one collection - it often ends up in the giveaway/"meh" category. I am trying to stop buying full FQ bundles of one line - but if I can't avoid it - I am trying to make myself split them up.
This quilt, made for my nephew last year, is a good example of the kind of quilt I like best. It's very simple but I like the way I have mashed together a whole lot of prints from all different collections.
Here's another example of a "controlled scrappy" quilt that I made (with the help of 2 great bees):
SO - after attending this weekend's BMQG meeting - I came home and started to pull together a color pallette from my stash:
I know, whether consciously or subconsciously, I was influenced by seeing lots of beautiful Quilts for Boston blocks and quilt tops at the meeting- as I decided to go with a very similar color pallette. I was also influenced by spotting this adorable new DS print (2nd from left) at Joann's following the meeting. I love that shade of aqua and the pops of bright orange prompted me to add a bright orange to my stack. Instead of yellow - I am aiming for more "mustard tones"- that scrap of AB Wallflower is my only piece of it (they keep reprinting old AB lines - PLEASE let them reprint that one!).
This color pallette is a big departure for me - no pink or red - (maybe my husband will be grateful?), but I am excited. I have thought and thought about what fabrics I would use for this QAL for weeks. Am I the only one who gets a little paralyzed when it comes to choosing fabrics for a long-term project? What about style? Are you sure of yours and what you definitely do and don't like?
6 comments:
You read my mind! I have been staring at my copy of this book and trying to decide on a color theme for this project! So far I have studied my overflowing scrap bins, colors in my modest stash, Design Seeds palettes, rooms that need a quilt, etc. I may need to go fabric shopping for more inspiration!
As long as i dont try to be too controlled with colors, im usually ok...but the minute i set up boundaries, i freak out. i really like all the navy you picked out...i keep meaning to use navy and black in my quilting more...maybe if i had your navy stash i would! :)
I can't wait to see this quilt come to life. I've been eyeing it, but I have too many other quilts in the works right now to start this one. I'll live vicariously through you for now.
I like your fabric choices. The blocks are pretty easy but those 1 inch wide rectangles are a little difficult. 1/4" seams are a must.
Your fabrics are lovely. I really like and appreciate the way you took the time to explain your thought process. The things you have been feeling/doing with respect to colour sound a lot like me. I think we'll both be really pleased with our projects!
Am loving the quilt you made for your nephew and the purple and white one that was at the BMQG/LQF. I took a picture of it! Loving the Lizzy House quilt goes without saying :)
Post a Comment