Block Print II :: Pink Haze

It's a treat for me to share this next quilt!  The design is one I've been entertaining myself with by changing the layout and colors, and always coming up with something new and interesting.  The fact that one block can be arranged in so many different ways, to me is simply amazing!

PINK HAZE
40" x 40"

I usually don't lean towards soft muted colors, and I'm not even sure how this palette landed in my lap, but it did!  I mulled it over before making a final decision on the next step which was size and fabric.  Picking the right shade of colors was quite the challenge!  There was a lot of back and forth with 'too dark, too light, too bright, too similar'.  Eventually it all came together and I was ready to start putting my design idea to the test!

The fabric I used is Kona Cotton in White, Quicksilver, Silver, Baby Pink and Ballet Slipper. 

     
The first Block Print quilt I made using this design was a dark gray and red combination and using 6" paper pieced blocks.  That quilt will be displayed at QuiltCon in Nashville in case you'd like to see it!  

This time I went with 10" blocks to increase the overall size of the quilt.  After printing the paper templates there are a few things I like to do before starting to sew.  I mark each section with the color to cut down on confusion and get the right colors in the right section.  Then I calculate out how many of each color per section is needed.  (Example:  section 
16 of 1A - white, 16 of 1B - light pink)  The last step is pre-cutting the correct size for each section and the quantity needed.  When I'm making the same block numerous times I usually sew the same section in each block and work through to the end.  Much like chain piecing or assembly line style!



You know what the last step is...the dreaded quilting!  I knew I'd do some kind of geometric quilting so at least that part was settled.  I printed the quilt on paper and attempted to plan out the design.  I say attempted because it didn't work out quite as I had hoped it would!  My hat is off to those who are able to preplan from start to finish their quilting designs!  I ended up getting frustrated and gave up.



What I've found that works best for me is quilting section by section.  One step at a time.  Eventually it all comes together, and so far that method has worked for me.  



Picking the right thread color is another important step.  I used Aurifil 50wt thread in three colors.  Dove #2600, White #2024 and Baby Pink #2423.  My only goal was not to have any gray or white thread in the pink sections, but pink did make it into the gray.  It's subtle, but it's there!



These pictures of the back illustrates the quilting and thread color a little better.  

Like I said, it's subtle!  

The larger picture of the quilting can be see from the back, at least somewhat.  I don't know what it was about this quilt, but it was nearly impossible to get the accurate colors in the photos.  I tried everything!  Different locations, different times of the day!  In the end I had to do the best I could.  If you have any tips for photographing gray or pastel quilts I'd love to hear them!  Hiring a professional photographer is not an option!



Except for the colors, the top photo is the end result from the bottom EQ8 design below!  It's always a sigh of relief when a vision becomes reality!



I'm excited to make another version using the Block Print block!  Ideas are never ending, having the time to do it is altogether another matter!  First I have to wrestle with the nagging thought in the back of my head of 'when is enough enough'?!  How many is too many of a design?!

LINKING:

OH SCRAP! ● MAIN CRUSH MONDAY ●  MONDAY MAKING ●  LINKY TUESDAY 
LETS BEE SOCIAL ● MIDWEEK MAKERS ● NEEDLE & THREAD 

PEACOCK PARTY  ● TGIFF 

BRAG ABOUT YOUR BEAUTIES ● FINISHED OR NOT FRIDAY