It is SOoooo wonderful to have the chance to sit down and piece quilt blocks. A number of years ago I bought several yards of a batik that were talking to me. The fabric is a melange of color that is basically shades of a reddish orange and black, with tints of blue and gold. I needed a block that would allow me to show a huge chunk of the fabric in one block, rather than dispersing it in smaller pieces across the face of the quilt. I didn't have a clue how I was going to use it. A friend knew what I was looking for and quickly sketched out several options, which I set aside. Over the years, I've collected fabrics that I thought would go with the quilt. Now, I've had the chance to make four test blocks to see if the design would work. This is the result:
Needless to say, this is a terrible photo, but it shows four blocks sewn together. They are pinned to a design wall, so you can see bits and pieces of other quilts I'm working on, and the organizer that sits below them on the table.
Each block has a large piece of the batik, two black triangles, and a vertical set of strips. My intention is to vary the strips throughout the blocks so that the quilt is predominately the red-orange shade. My sister has seen this picture and feels that the gold is too light, and should be omitted. I plan to make several blocks with the gold strips, and place them on a design wall to see how it works. If the gold is too pale, or stops the movement of your eye over the quilt, I'll repiece those blocks.
Sis was of the opinion that this would be a difficult quilt to sleep under. I understood what she was implying. If you chose to use this quilt on your bed, your bedroom would have to be done in vibrant colors, and she chooses to make her bedroom a restful nest.
This is quite a departure for me. In the past I have chosen to recreate traditional patterns in today's fabrics. This is the first time I have made a non-traditional block, and the first time I have used such a large amount of batik. So far, I'm pleased with the results. The colors are more pleasing in person, and I like how the blocks are going together. I hope to have this particular quilt machine quilted, and when it is finally finished, I'll post another picture of it.
Comments (6)
Maybe the Gold seems odd because it doesn't balance with the other colours.
In that picture the Quilt is geometrically and patterned correctly, therefore looking good to the eye. The Gold and the Blue stand out as odd as the colour pattern is not repeated in the segment therefore they look unbalanced.
Then again I have a black and blue polka dot hanky so my 'pattern' ideals are a bit leftfield
Posted by Legomen | February 1, 2004 2:05 PM
Posted on February 1, 2004 14:05
I love it. It is very busy with color, but you could have the rest of the room in one or two of the colors of the quilt, and it could look great. I can picutre the red on the walls and some gold here and there... scarf valances and pillow shams. Just a few things, to encompass some of the colors and make a very calm room all the same. Some candles Mmmm... I can indeed picture a great looking room surrounding that quilt.
Posted by Desiree | February 1, 2004 8:23 PM
Posted on February 1, 2004 20:23
My first thought at seeing the photo was, "Wow! How gorgeous! Wouldn't this be a wonderfully warm quilt just from thinking of it?" Then, I read the rest of your entry--about Sis. Perhaps the colors aren't true on my monitor, but I love the whole thing! Where are the purple and deep aqua? The rest of the room can be all black or all white, for all I care. The quilt fragment is a beauty!
Posted by Cop Car | February 1, 2004 9:01 PM
Posted on February 1, 2004 21:01
Thank you, all, for your feedback! It's always nice to hear what others have to say about your projects. Sometimes the simplest things will slide past right under your nose, and you wish that someone had spoken the obvious to you. It seems that this block has the potential to be a winner. We'll have to see. *S*
Posted by Buffy | February 2, 2004 8:17 PM
Posted on February 2, 2004 20:17
Well... if you don't like it in the end, you can auction it off here... no doubt there would be some takers! :))))
Posted by Desiree | February 3, 2004 1:05 AM
Posted on February 3, 2004 01:05
Buffy,
Look beautiful. I love quilts and vibrant colours and your picture looks wonderful. Just one question. Should it be a bed hanging - or possibly a wall hanging? Think how wonderful it would look hanging on a cream wall.
Adele
Posted by Adele | February 5, 2004 5:37 PM
Posted on February 5, 2004 17:37