Friday 1 March 2013

Housekeeping

So I said I would get to the outstanding quilt that was on my design wall and I did.



It was the start of a BOM (Block Of the Month) from Material Obsession but I didn't actually know what the finished quilt would look like until the package arrived. And when it did, I sort of hummed and hawed.


I think I'm done with applique and I felt the fabric they sent was far too nice just to cut up in string strips so I vacillated between convincing myself I needed to finish it off right now and putting it aside for another day. In its defence, it's an excellent method of learning different techniques.

But with The Big Room Clean I made it my mission to finish it.
So I did.

My Way.



I finished probably two thirds of the blocks and managed to incorporate them all bar one.  I added in the X and Y blocks because I needed to get that urge out of the way. I've only got it temporarily out of the way. I enjoyed making them so much I see a whole quilt of them in my future.

The Flying Guess I added in just because I like them. I used this method - Speedy Piecing Method B - which gives very accurate results with no waste. The key to the instructions is to use a scant 1/4 seam allowance. If you don't and make it anything more, then you won't end up with the nice sharp point.

I know.

Linking up to Finish It Up Friday 

Now I know I'm on sticky ground here when I say the reason I thing this quilt 'sparkles' is because the addition of, wait for it...BROWN ;-)
There seems to be quite a bit of aversion out there in quilty blogland to brown but to me, it adds an indispensable hue to quilts.

These are some of the browns that Material Obsession sent with the BOM.




For me, they add a neutral warmth that you can't get from black or white; you can pick up on the additional colours that appear in these prints and to me, they don't read as just brown. I see purple brown, chestnut brown, chocolate brown, caramel, golden etc etc.

In other bits of housekeeping - thank you to everyone who sent me pictures of my quilt hanging at QuiltCon. I was chuffed to bits and I have thoroughly enjoyed reading everyone's blog posts about the event.

I was also completely gobsmacked that someone bought it -someone who reads my blog. We've had some lovely email conversations to and fro about it and I shall leave it up to the buyer to decide whether they want to out themselves here and admit to buying it!

I also realise I offered up scraps from this blog post and haven't yet followed through.

If you're still interested I randomly screen grabbed this one:




Liz, if I don't get to you first, please email me with your address.

And finally, if I could go back to mentioning Material Obsession. Kathy, the owner, is recovering from breast cancer surgery as well as celebrating 10 years of M.O. Please feel free, if so inclined, to pop over and send her your best quilty wishes.

And that's it.

The design wall is bare, the sewing room is tidy and it's time to make another creative mess.


25 comments:

  1. I love your version of the MO quilt! I too wouldn't want to cut up all that beautiful fabric and make strings! I also have a love for brown at the moment- I am seriously collecting an array of pink, brown and orange fabrics! I love chocolate so I love brown!

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  2. I like your version of it lots. I quite like brown with the right colours - I love it pared with sick egg blue and lime greens and agree that's its a warmer neutral. Congrats on quilt sale too!

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  3. it's beautiful! I love that you made it your own :-D

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  4. Beautiful work (says the owner of a healthy stash of brown fabric)...and congratulations on the sale of your quilt @ QuiltCon! xx

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  5. I love your quilt: much nicer. The original quilt is far too busy (onsamenhangend) and not for me.
    I admire anyone taking part in a mystery quilt thingy. I don't think I ever could. I want to see what it looks like; will I like that.
    So not my thing either.
    Yours is! Definitely!

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  6. It's always hard to cut up beautiful fabric. I really like your version of the MO quilt...I think it's important to put your own flavour to a design.

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  7. I love your version! I'm not a brown fan (in sewing or real life, except for chocolate, dogs, trees, etc!) but you're right, it definitely adds something to your quilt which wouldn't have been achieved with black or grey...

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  8. You are such a brilliant quilter. Mmmmmm chocolate brown. A very pretty finish.

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  9. I've got to say I love your way much better than the original way. Brilliant quilt.

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  10. Oh it's so so stunning Alison and I totally get what you are saying about the brown. Just beautiful.

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  11. Your version is fabulous. Congrats for going your own way! I agree with you about the brown. Excellent way to add depth and warmth.:)

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  12. Wonderful job, Iove this quilt. What is the name of the island that you live on?

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  13. I love the way you adapted the design and fabric to make it your own! You are right about the brown, it adds a depth and richness that neither black nor white could match.

    Congrats on the sale too! Very exciting.

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  14. Your quilt is just delightful! The brown fabrics are gorgeous!

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  15. Turned out grand - I 'like' the 2 browns with the green in, but the others give me the willies (I have been stroking my Echo f8ths though recently, so be prepared for a shocker from me!).
    Huge congratulations on selling the reluctant quilt - brilliant xxx

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  16. I loved seeing your quilt and how wonderful that it was purchased! I also love the quilt you have put together here, I love brown, it need not be murky or tired at all. I am looking forward to seeing what you make next.

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  17. Your quilt is so beautiful!
    Saskia

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  18. As always, your quilt is a total work of art.
    Emailing you my address right now :big cheesy grin:
    xxxx

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  19. She did it her way and with great success! Nothing against browns or any other colour - they all have their place it's just that some people can't see that - including me at times!

    Great news on the quit sale - are you going to enter again after all the stress you went through? I do hope so!

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  20. Love the way you smoothed these together and made them feel harmonious.

    And by the way....happy birthday, you old coot ;)

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  21. Gorgeous quilt! Have fun creating and messing up your sewing room again...

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  22. Your comments have inspired me to re- look at the colour "brown" !!!!! Love your version of the MO quilt! Linda, NZ kokaquilts@gmail.com

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  23. Whoa, the scraps have arrived and wow! you have amazing scraps. I love them all, especially the dandelions.
    Thank you so so much
    xxxx

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  24. I love your quilt. I love brown too-it just looks so yummy with pinks, oranges, yellows, and turquoise. I think a lot of people have the misconception that using brown will make their quilt look traditional.

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