This year Pantone came out with their color of the year as they always do, and surprised us all when it was really two colors of the year! These colors that sparked my imagination and it didn't take long for an idea to form.
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| PANTONE COLOR OF THE YEAR ILLUMINATE & ULTIMATE GRAY |
After catching Debbie Jeske's post on Instagram @aquilterstable where she researched which manufactures colors matched her Pantone color cards, I was 100% committed! Debbie came up with Kona Bright Idea and Cotton Couture Pewter for the closest matches. Kona Overcast was a close second for the gray.
Knowing the colors that matched was all it took for me. Especially since I had two of colors in my stash. I added Kona Dove into the mix to round out the design.
I designed a paper pieced block the end of 2018 that I love and decided it was worth revisiting for the Pantone challenge. I've made two quilts with this block, each time the block was a different size and arranged differently. By flipping, rotating and fabric colors the possibilities are endless!
This time I'm using 4.25" blocks. Weird size, right?! I went with a size where I could print two blocks on a page...save paper, save ink...I'm being cheap!!
The first thing I did was write the block placement number on each paper, along with an arrow so I knew which way it went. Then I highlighted the yellow and wrote where the dark grey was to go. It helps so much to do this! Although I will say I flubbed up a time or two!
Next I figured out the size of fabric I'd need for each section. It takes time but in the end I think it makes the paper piecing process easier and dare I say quicker?!
The points are near perfect! I love having the 1/4" inch ruler for trimming seams. I also have a 1/8" ruler which I did use for the skinny point sections. The bulk is obscene! Especially when it's time to sew the blocks together.
The hardest part is matching the sections!
I paper pieced the center section first only because it's the focal point. I'm going to have to be careful when it comes to matching those seams!
And...then it's done! I'm going to admit that matching the dark grey seams was tough. I had to try a couple times and even then it wasn't perfect. I also totally messed up when I laid out the blocks! So much for taking the time to write numbers on each block!
After I had the rows sewn together my son, very gently and cautiously, asked if I meant to have certain sections like 'that'! ARGH!! No I did not!! I had to rip out some seams, anyone who paper pieces knows how much fun that is, and basically reconfigure it.
With that behind me I ended up with something that I love!! Maybe what I love is how one seemingly simple block can be used to make so many different blocks. Or maybe it's the colors? Whatever it is I'm deep into the quilting phase right now and can't wait to redeem myself with this quilting after the last quilt!
Are you going to make something using the 2021 Pantone Color of the Year colors?
This is going to be an amazing quilt finish! I definitely want to make something with the Color of the Year and I may have decided which pattern to use, but not 100% sure yet.
ReplyDeletePicking and deciding on the pattern/design is half the battle! I’m sure you’ll come up with something great!
DeleteThis is really wonderful-looking, though I completely get what you're saying about how easy it is to turn a section the wrong way, or piece to the wrong side, or cut the fabric the wrong side... etc. I DO all those things! But you persevered to make it right, and it's gorgeous! That yellow and gray is such a nice contrast. No, I don't usually participate in making Pantone quilts, unless it's due to a challenge that one of my guilds might offer. Otherwise, I am finding plenty of reasons to make quilts, especially when taking virtual workshops, which I am doing much more frequently during these pandemic days. Those workshops are helping me fine-tune what quilt style and techniques are "me." Designing is my weakness, so I'm focusing on how to find it. All good stuff. And what you're doing is all good stuff too! No doubt the quilting on this one will be extra-special. :-)
ReplyDeleteOne of the pitfalls of paper piecing is sewing something wrong and then having to seam rip those tiny stitches! Luckily my mistakes didn’t take away from the design. I pick and choose when it comes to Pantone or Kona Color of the year projects. It has to inspire and move me!
DeleteJayne, this piece is so striking! Gray and yellow aren't colors I'd normally put together, but they really work well! These two pantone colors were the set to be the theme for Project Quilting's at Persimon Dreams first challenge for 2021 a few weeks ago. There were over 200 projects linked up! I came up with an idea rather late in the week, and made an improv baby bib...which came out rather cute!
ReplyDeleteoh I really adore this. Wonderful how the block looks so different depending on placement and fabric choice. Can't wait to see more!
ReplyDeleteOH and thanks for the shout out! ;-)
I really like blocks that change a design depending on color or placement. This block hits all the high notes for me. Once again thank you for being our color matching guru!
DeleteI love seeing all three quilts that you have made using the same block, it's amazing it's all from the same block design. Whew, I'm not the only one who can easily muddle up their own plan, but I'm glad you stuck with it as the result was worth it. It's always awesome that Debbie so thoroughly researches the color of the year and reports on great fabric color matching options.
ReplyDeleteVery cool design, Jayne! Best of luck with the quilting.
ReplyDeleteThis is awesome! Is it an available pattern?
ReplyDeleteYour creative flow is just amazing. This came out really well, despite having to rip (no fun). Can't wait to see how you quilt it!
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing how different a pattern can look depending on color placement. I love the gray and yellow! Thanks for naming your Konas - I may have to play with them myself!
ReplyDeleteexcellent! Will you be offering this pattern? It’s a winner!
ReplyDeleteHi Jayne! I am in awe of your paper piecing design skills, and grey and yellow are perfect for this pattern. Like Joyce, I would love to buy this pattern. Take care, Mary.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, LOVE your FPP block design! It looks amazing in the yellow and grays. I was amused when Pantone announced these were the colors of the year for 2021, though, because yellow with gray was a huge design trend back in 2014. So, to me, it's a "throwback" color combo that reminds me of a nursery project that I did for a client back then: https://www.rebeccagracequilting.com/2014/02/machine-embroidered-applique-without.html. :-)
ReplyDeletehow beautiful your block is in these colors! I have my fabric and a couple of ideas brewing, but now you have me thinking maybe I should revisit a block I designed a while back... hmmmm
ReplyDeleteI love yellow and gray together, you just know your project is going to be stunning.
ReplyDeleteAwesome design! Can’t wait to see the whole quilt. Yes, my daughter, when she was younger, used to say that to me too. They have good eyes.
ReplyDeleteMatching seams is a huge PITA. Your blocks (all three versions) are ELECTRIC!!! Personally, I am not a fan of gray and yellow - seems very dull and drab to my eyes. I tried "moving with the times" but felt suffocated by lack of color. I am very comfortable talking to and with my quilts :-)
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