'Water Color' :: Delicate Improv

This is my attempt at a softer side of improv!  Maybe even a softer side of myself, which isn't always apparent!

When I was making another improv quilt I came to a crossroads of sort.  I was having a debate with myself whether I should add a top and bottom section using very light colors.  I had the blocks made it came down to will it be a good thing or not necessary.  In the end I did add them, but during the debate I fell in love with the light pastel colors.  And...one thing led to another!

'WATER COLOR' 
34 1/2" x 45 1/2"

The large improv is full of warm of orange, yellow, pink.  Which led me down the path to a different color story.  Let's get 'cool'!      

The hardest part was finding lighter colors in purple, blue, green and aqua.  Easier said than done with my stash!  I'm not immediately drawn to pastel colors when I buy fabric, but I have been trying to round out my stash with every possible option.

The background fabric is Kona Natural.  It's very close to Kona Snow, but has specks of natural fibers dispersed throughout.  Not large pieces or a lot, just enough!  To me Kona Snow is to pristine and I like having the Natural option on hand.

For once I didn't have to let the quilt sit while I came up with a quilting solution.  It would be organic matchstick-ish straight lines.  For the majority of the lines I used Aurifil Chalk, but I wanted to add some pizzazz and interest with other thread colors as well.  In each color section I used a coordinating pastel thread color and went to town.  Before long there it was!  A finished quilted quilt!

When I quilt organic lines like these I first start by marking sections with my hera marker that are generally straight and vary in width from 3"- 6" wide.  This way I can still do organic lines but I can stay on track so the lines have the illusion they are semi straight.  

I'm a big believer in doing what works for you and there really isn't a 'by the book' method in achieving the organic matchstick look.  The end result is all that matters.

  

I used Kona Ice Frappe for the backing for this quilt.  As you can see the texture is amazing!  The lines are randomly placed with varying widths which I know will always look amazing after a wash and dry!  The texture is pronounced and exactly what I was hoping for!

I'm not sure where this quilt will end up, on the floor with a baby or on a wall?  Either way I love everything about it!

   LINKING:

OH SCRAP! ● MAIN CRUSH MONDAY ●  MONDAY MAKING 
MIDWEEK MAKERS ● NEEDLE & THREAD 

PEACOCK PARTY  ● TGIFF ● WHOOP WHOOP FRIDAY

BRAG ABOUT YOUR BEAUTIES ● FINISHED OR NOT FRIDAY

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

A Softer Side :: Pastel

I'm going soft!  In the never ending exploration of quilting I've decided it's time I try a different color avenue.  One that I really haven't done, but have always wanted to.  I'm testing the waters so to speak.  Don't get too use to it, I'm still a huge fan of bright, bold and saturated colors!

It isn't that I haven't thought about making a quilt in pastels, because I have.  Maybe I had to have the stars line up, but actually I didn't know what quilt design to go with!

'SWEET DREAMS'
30" x 41.5"

Then one day out of the blue, it hit me.  There was no reason to reinvent the wheel, so I decided to stay in my comfort zone.   The good old Half Square Triangle!  

This quilt is one of my go to designs.  Bright and bold with a neutral gray border.  I always match the center blocks with the same color but different shades and top it off with the center accent.  Completely opposite from the soft pastel quilt.  



One of my favorite things about this design, besides the simplicity of the block, the uncomplicated layout and the color options, is the quilting options!



If you have followed along with my adventures, you know that quilting is the one area that stumps me!  Mostly with free motion, but I've had my battles with the old walking foot too!  With this design I know the only thing I'm going to do is geometric straight lines.   



That philosophy works with my usual color combination, but it wasn't going to cut it with this one!  I think it had to do with the fact I used Kona Snow with the pastels and it created a very loud and proud grid!  What to do, what to do?!  

Well, to start with concentric 1/2" lines in the white squares of course!  I used Aurifil white thread in those blocks.

The blocks with color needed a bit more pizazz!  I hunted for thread in six magical pastel colors before I knew where I was going, but it happened.  I don't know what you call the quilting design, I'll call it Sun Rays until I know differently!