Friday, April 2, 2010

Just quilting along

I like quilt-alongs.  It's fun to make a quilt at the same time as others from around the world, and I love seeing how the same pattern can look so different with different styles, fabrics, and color palettes.  I want to participate in sewtakeahike's quilt-as-you-go quilt-along -- you can see the fabulous blocks being made in the Flickr group here -- but I have to catch up on a few other projects first.  I plan to jump in very soon!

Interestingly enough, my colleague Tobey and I had a little quilt-along over Spring Break and didn't even know it!  I had grabbed some Kona cottons and Gwen Marston's Liberated String Quilts book and came up with this while in Seaside:


Meanwhile, back in Beaverton, Tobey's husband Len had decided that since Tobey seems pretty set on being a quilter, then he would like to have a quilt of his own.  And Tobey had Gwen Marston's Liberated String Quilts checked out of the library, so she made this:



Neither one of us had any idea what the other person was working on! Tobey had one word for it -- spooky!

Here's Gwen's original version:


Heather (a la mode fabric) and I have decided to do quilts at the same time (on purpose), so I guess that is a mini quilt-along of sorts.  Perhaps we should have come up with some sort of name for it.... Wishes a la mode quilt-along?  Fabric, true and kind quilt-along?  Oh, well, we're making cross quilts together online and posting pictures each Friday.

I started with a pile of lovely Amy Butler fabrics in blues and greens and told Heather I was all set to get started.


I was so excited about these fabrics, and Heather even offered to give me another blue AB fabric!  Then I went to cut them and realized that I had 1/4 yard cuts of most of them, which would not work for 10.5 inch blocks.  Disappointed, I went back to my fabric stash and decided to use Heather Bailey Nicey Janes (also in greens and blues) instead.


I started cutting the fabrics last night, but I only had Kona cotton in white, which was too bright for the Nicey Janes.  So, I made a trip to Fabric Depot after work tonight for Kona Snow (and some Essex linen cotton blend just because I have been dying to try it).

Back home again I could not stop thinking about those Amy Butler fabrics and came up with a way that I think I can make it work.  And they look great with the Kona Snow.  But before I could get very far with that idea, I couldn't help but notice how great the Nicey Janes look with the Essex linen.  So -- you guessed it -- now I am doing two cross quilts.  And they are both in blues and greens.  And yes, this makes quilts 3 and 4 in blues and greens.  Deal with it.  I think it's best to just let me get this out of my system -- if possible.  In the meantime -- I am soooooooo happy with the beginnings of these two quilts!

Amy Butler Love + Kona Snow

Amy Butler Charm + Kona Snow

Nicey Jane + Essex Cotton-Linen Blend in Natural

Yes, I'm very happy, indeed!  And if anyone else is interested, why don't you join Heather and I?  These blocks are addicting!

With wishes, true and kind -- Joan

26 comments:

  1. I borrowed Liberated String Quilts from the library after seeing your gorgeous quilt on flickr. I LOVE the book, so many great quilts. My kids both picked the Chevron quilt as their favourite, so I guess I'll have to make one or two. I got them to choose some colours from the Kona card, I couldn't believe that with six choices each, they chose three of the same fabrics, they obviously have similar taste - bright!
    I'm loving the AB crosses, I'm glad you came up with a solution so you could use the AB fabric. I look forward to seeing more crosses. :-)

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  2. So you should be ... they are gorgeous!
    Hugs - Lurline♥

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  3. Beautiful string quilt. Kona is my favorite.

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  4. The Liberated Strin book was my reading for today, how fun to see it on your blog. Love what's going on here.

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  5. You definitely sound like a veteran quilter! Several projects going at one time. I think that is a must. They are all beautiful. That is one book that I do not have and must get. Don't you just love the Essex blend? I am hoping to get a few more colors in the shop soon. I love how it washes up! Looking forward to seeing your progress on all these quilts!

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  6. How beautiful! I love the idea of quilting being something in the air that we might catch from each other, or just another "bug" we get.

    How fun to be able to share quilts like this!

    Love the fabric choices and I'm all about going where the fabric takes you!

    Happy Easter!

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  7. FABULOUS! Too funny that you and Tobey did similar projects! Ha! And I love what you and Heather are doing. Oh, how I want to join in, join in, join in! So, the cross blocks are wonky, I take it? Here's a dumb question, do you use the part you cut from one square to make the cross for another? I see Jackie has checked in -- I'd been eyeing that magenta Essex blend she has in her shop. :-)

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  8. your string quilt is lovely. Goes to show..."great minds" think alike!!!

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  9. I just bought some Kona Cottons in blue, green and yellow to make a quilt for my daughter and SIL's 5th anniversary. Maybe I will join in and do a cross quilt. I have added several from the internet to my flickr favorites, Are you going by any certain directions for your crosses? Or just making it up?....A 9 patch, really. I have stacks of turquoise and green around my sewing room and am doing a virtual block exchange using these colors. Love, love, love!

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  10. I still adore your string-pieced quilt! I should find that book because I love making string blocks. They provide such a cool effect. Too fun that Tobey was making one at the same time - great fabrics for a guy quilt. I love the fabrics you chose for your new quilt project. Can't wait to see the rest of your awesome progress!

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  11. You are as bad as me. I love Kona snow. Not too bright, not too .... yellow. It is a basic in this house!!

    Oh, and if the Nicey Jane ends up being homeless, I know where it can come live!!! LOL!

    Blessings,

    KT

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  12. That is funny...creative minds think alike!!
    I was debating on doing the sewtakeahike quilt along also, I've never done one before and thought it would be fun to give it a try. I want to get my little folks quilt done first though. I am intrigued with the idea of quilting while you go though!!

    That is cute that you and heather are making a quilt together!! I like both of the fabrics u chose, so I don't blame you for making two in order to have both. We sewers just can't help ourselves. I think that it's a pre-requset for becoming a quilter....a serious lack of control (when it comes t giving in to our creativity).

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  13. OMGosh Joan!! You crack me up!! TWO quilts... haha!! I lOVE it!! I got so swamped with bee blocks... I haven't even cut into mine... but i promise a post on Sunday and then every Friday after that... or you can let me have it at the MQG meeting!! LOL

    Your fabrics look amazing too!!! :)

    xo, Heather

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  14. Gorgeous quilts & I love your blocks! Looking forward to seeing their progress! I love the inspiration of quilt alongs...but sadly I need a time fairy to make my dreams come true!

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  15. Mmmm...all I need is a spoon! Delicious! LOVE what you're up to. ; )

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  16. Love your Kona cottons string quilt! i just received my Kona stack from pink chalk fabrics and need to come up with a pattern - now i'm thinking about trying the strings blocks too. Thanks for all the inspiration - and the great stories you share! Have a wonderful weekend!

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  17. Your cross blocks are lovely. I just sewed with the Essex linen today for the first time and am now in love. Will be using it more, that's for sure.

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  18. I am so excited, keep going......

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  19. Love the look of the quilt along you're doing with Heather I can deal with blues and greens, love that colour combo!

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  20. Her books are so great. I love string blocks too and the Nicey Jane is a great line. Essex is one of my favorites too.

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  21. That cross block looks like fun. I wish I could join in, but I've so many projects on the go. I might just have to watch yours come together.

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  22. I really love these cross blocks! The linen is a nice touch. Isn't it funny how like minds produce like quilts? Sometimes my mom and I discover that we bought the same fabric, usually in different colorways.

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  23. I love quilt alongs! I did my first one this spring and it was a lot of fun to work on the same thing with other quilters. :) I have promised myself the reward of making a cross quilt as soon as I have my big commissioned quilt done so I think I'll follow along with ya'll...

    Jennifer :)

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  24. I am loving the cross blocks.
    Also, that is so weird you guys made the same quilt, lol.

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  25. Gorgeous, all of them! and you sound like a happy happy girl! :)
    xox
    Valentina

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  26. Aw shoot, well now you've got me all nervous! I just cut a whirlygiggle quilt out of Nicey Jane and am pairing it with a white bamboo/cotton solid. My JoAnn's doesn't carry Kona Snow like I read all quilters use. I haven't started sewing the pieces together yet, but I'm not sure how to proceed.

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