In other news, I just got this quilt back from my quilter! It is Sewcialites 2, a sew-along sponsored by Fat Quarter Shop a couple of years ago. It was fun to make, with various designers contributing quilt block patterns each week. I loved everything about the sew-along, except for the setting. So I came up with my own thing.
I felt it was important to showcase the sampler blocks and not have them blend into a hodgepodge of a too-busy setting. The setting I came up with could not be simpler. I set the blocks on point and separated them with a lattice in my background fabric so they would appear to float. Each and every block stands out and the result is a calming vibe that makes this quilt special.
This is going to look splendid on my bed. It has a sophistication to it that I really like.
You know, so often we pass on a sew-along with terrific blocks because the setting isn’t quite to our liking. You have to think outside the box and come up with alternative ideas that will make the quilt your own. One of my readers, Vickie, once commented that she did not care for the prevalence of super busy settings with lots of low-volume fabric insets or alternate blocks that took away from the featured quilt blocks themselves. I have thought about this a lot and have come to the conclusion that sometimes simpler is just better.
Here is the quilt, just pulled out of the packing box. It is a bit rumpled, but you can see the quilting design better. Now I just need to get the binding on! No problem, I have added that task to my list of things to do this week.
I hope your week is going well and that you are getting things done too!
17 Responses
Your quilt is lovely! You have been on fire – well done! I just got back from spring break, so I am about to get busy myself. I am finishing a quilt for one of my nieces’s who is graduating this May, so that will be my focus. Thanks for all of the inspiration and encouragement!
Our spring break is next week. We have no plans, but since Eva is off school, she may hang out with us.
Thanks for your kind words Rebecca.
Gorgeous! What a lovely quilt and I love the fabric choices too. Cheers Nicole.
Thanks, Kerry. Those fabrics were a Lella Boutique collection called Flower Pot. There was a gorgeous blue in the line that I left out of my quilt, and I’ve been dreaming of what to do with it!
I love simple settings. You chose well! I also like to see a quilt where the quilting does not distract from the beauty of the blocks. This is a well-balanced and enjoyable quilt!
You are so right about not letting the quilting overshadow the quilt. I had one done recently that I think did that, and it bothered me. Although I can’t recall which quilt it was now!
Beautiful work! The quilt and quilting are perfect.
Thanks Sandra!
I think you did a great job. The blocks are lovely. And putting them on point was a wise choice, it is very classic and will stand the test of time.
Hodgepodge is a good word choice to describe the modern trend.
The too busy quilts where color values are not taken into account and the eye does not where to go are so prevalent.
Maybe this is happening with the hype around cramming blocks from multiple designers into the same quilt.
I like quilts with a secondary block or design if they are done well. But color value and breathing room are super important in those quilts for the primary blocks to remain dominant and the overall pattern to hold its own.
I am not sure if I mentioned, I am taking a class with Rob Appell this summer and Ruby Beeholder is on his supply list! Such a surprise. I have the original version and the new version (a 2 pack with red and green).
What a stunning quilt! Beautiful for all seasons.
Normally, it doesn’t bother me when many designers collaborate on a sampler BOM. However, there are certain designers (Brigitte Helfand of Zen Chic comes to mind), whose modern style aesthetic rarely “goes” with more traditional designers’ offerings. Also, when a designer throws in a “cutsie” block, like a flower pot or tulip or whatever, it can jar with normal pieced blocks. I have. no problem swapping out a block that I don’t think fits in and replacing it with something I like better.
I have some sampler blocks that I need to find a setting for, and you remind me that a simple Irish chain can be a really nice one to set off sampler blocks.
Your class sounds very exciting!
The setting is perfect for those blocks. ‘Less is more’ applies here, for sure! You’re sure accomplishing a lot lately!
Thanks Jan. You should see the pile of stuff I need to get done. It is frightening. I love it when I get in the mood to take care of things. Hope it lasts.
Your quilt is just perfect! I love what you did with the setting! I didn’t do Sewcialites 2, but I’ve seen it and agree that the setting is too much. It overpowers the blocks and really takes away from the piecing.
The latest Sewcialites 3 setting is even more chaotic. I said I wasn’t going to participate, but I may change my mind if I wrap up my pile of UFOs. I have something much simpler in mind for those blocks.
it’s beautiful! if the blocks don’t stand out then what’s the point? I think that is what I’m having a problem with on a lot of the settings. light colors. blocks squished together. too busy for me.
There you are Ina! I was going to email you to see what was going on in your life!
You are so correct that the whole point of a sampler style quilt is for the blocks to be highlighted. There have also been so many extremely pastel quilts lately (Heather Briggs style fabrics) where you can barely make out the blocks from the backgrounds.
Lol, I just pulled out a stack of extremely colorful quilts to decorate the porch. I went through an American Jane/French Provincial/Primary colors phase a decade or more ago and have at least five quilts to show for it. I dragged them down from their shelves and have revisited them. They are aggressively cheerful, but that’s ok.