So many of us have struggled with how to use our William Morris fabrics. I know I have. As gorgeous as these fabrics are individually, somehow, to my eye anyway, they just didn't all work together nicely. I had two different William Morris collections, A Morris Garden and A Morris Workshop, with many many lovely fabrics to work with.
For the life of me, even after playing with these fabrics for OVER TWO YEARS, I was still stymied as to how to use them together.
Enter Kim Brackett, who saved the day once again. Her first book, Scrap Basket Surprises, had the answer I was looking for.
In this wonderful book, there is a pattern called Kitchen Sink, which is what I used with my William Morris fabrics. You see my blocks above, arranged on my first attempt at a design wall. That wall is comprised of a piece of foam insulation board over which I tossed a piece of cotton flannel. It does an ok job, but is way too small. Why am I not using my new design wall, provided to me by the Quilting Fairy? Because it is all taken up with my Eventide project. I am not moving those blocks for any reason whatsoever!
Anyway, back to the pattern, Kitchen Sink. As are all of Kim's patterns, it was super fun to construct. Fast, simple, great instructions. It is going to be a fairly small quilt–lap sized, or "back of the tv chair" sized. I do like the way the blocks are playing together, but must admit, I left out the pinks and yellows in the Morris fabric collections. There is a limit to how randomly scrappy I am willing to go.
I am leaving these blocks up to percolate for a week or so. I need to purchase fabric for setting triangles, a containment border, and an outer border. That is going to take some consideration. What do you think of this selection for an outer border?
Or this one?
25 Responses
Prettiest kitchen sink I’ve ever seen! I love the colors in the first fabric. You have to careful that you don’t lose a bird head when cutting. Lol!
That’s one of my all time favorites in her books. Personally, I’m in love with the floral but that’s a thing with me. Love pretty florals. Have fun playing with this one. Dreamy….
I am liking the second fabric – smaller print – since the cut off head of the bird would not be a pretty sight. Very nice quilt. Judy C
I’d go with the second choice for the border fabric. I just have trouble using directional fabrics for borders. What a great idea for using Bill’s fabrics!
I would save the bird one for the quilt you make with the pinks…it’s reading pretty pink. I love the quilt! That IS a great book! (The bird border is calling to me….can’t wait to see what you make to use it with!)
Blessings…
Love this pattern that you are using. The fabrics are also great. Looks like it goes together pretty simple.
Great pattern for William Morris fabrics. I have a fat eighth bundle waiting for inspiration also. I just love the bird fabric (I think the design is called the Strawberry Thief) so that is my choice for an outer border. I love how the design draws your eye to the birds and they “pop” out of the background.
Love the quilt and I vote for border fabric No 2. I’ll have to look at Kim’s first book as I have lots of glorious Morris fabrics, too.
Hugs!
Definately loving the first print, with the birds. Very pretty.
Definitely the second border and you won’t have to worry so much about matching the pattern. Save the birds for a centering block!
I love the muted tones of that quilt. Great job! On the border, I would say that the first print would be better to blend with the colors. It has a good share of that pink and blue and it will blend very nicely… But… I love the 2nd. It has similar colors to the first but avoids the whole directional thing. I love that, in the picture you showed us, the florals look alive and would give the piece movement. It is just gorgeous.
You’ve been busy! I love the Kitchen Sink pattern and it’s fun to see it in different things. I’d vote for the second one. I like the movement in it, but that’s just me!
The William Morris fabrics look great in this pattern! I just made one using blue, red, and green scraps and it is awaiting a backing and quilting. I like your second choice for the triangles and border. Since the finished quilt is not big I increased the border width on mine to 9 inches instead of 6. Have fun!
Oh congrats on the “Girl” info. Soooo fun.
As for the border prints I like both but have to say with the first one I like the little dabs of gold and 2 different pinks if you felt inclined to put in some. Beautiful either way as always.
Like them both; the bird print is my favorite.
The quilt in William Morris looks fantastic! I did my Kitchen Sink scrappy, love the pattern.
I like the bottom one better, but I’m not a fan of birds on fabric, but I don’t know why. I don’t have anything against birds, I guess I just don’t like them on fabric. I do like how the pinkish color in your blocks ties in to the bird fabric. Good luck with the decision!
What a great job. I also made a Kitchen Sink and it now lives with my sister. I vote for the second one, not quite as prominent a pattern.
Love it. If it were hanging by my kitchen sink, I might be willing to spend more time there.
Birds are good, but you need to worry about making sure they face a consistant direction when you are doing borders. The floral would prbably be a better choice.
I just recently purchased Kim’s books. Great projects! My thought about your border is to check the width of your border (both the fabric and Kim’s pattern) While I love the first print, it depends on how wide the print really is. My gut feeling is to go with the second choice. Enjoy!
You’re really too sweet! I love those fabrics. They look so elegant. And the neutral backgrounds are simply gorgeous. I’m liking the large print in the second picture. Too pretty!
This quilt is looking quite wonderful! The fabrics are beautiful. I like the first choice for the border.
Nicole, i used the wm morris fabrics in a schnibble and used the second fabric as a border. I’ll send a picture by email.
Well, I personally would go for the birds. So lively and fun! I just bought this Strawberry Thief fabric in the indigo colorway and I have a super fun quilt I plan on making with it as the border! Ha! So happy that you are having a new girl in your family! What a joy that will bring. Imagine how lucky she is to have a sweet gma like you, Nicole! hugs, pam