Fabric Choices Make or Break a Quilt

I had not really thought about how much fabric choices play into a particular pattern until I made the same "Fat Quarter Frolic" quilt pattern.

My first stack was miscellaneous Kaffe fabrics that were not in a cohesive colorway.  Remember this is a pattern that uses no solids, no sashing, no borders.  It has some large blocks which show off your large prints.

I was not happy with how disjointed and chaotic it looks.  

I tried the same pattern with one quilting line.  This is the result.

This is Reminisce by Bonnie Christine for Art Gallery Fabrics.  It has a much more cohesive look.

The first quilt is a thumbs down for impact in my opinion.  The second a thumbs up.  I am not sure I will make this pattern again just because I prefer a quilt with some negative space.

On the other hand, if the fabrics are more cohesive or the design more regular and less disjointed it can work, like the Barn Raising quilt made out of Kaffe fabrics below. I have learned a lot more about what works for me and what does not.  That is part of the quilting adventure.  

Wonky Log Cabins

I went a little crazy with wonky log cabin blocks today.  I started this block thinking is was going to be for my mug rug but ended up just making a 12.5 inch block for one of my charity quilts instead.  The fabric just was not perfect.

I tried a difference angle for my next try.  I used texty fabric and gray fabric.  I liked it much better.  I wish I had hand sewn the binding on the back though.  I just don't do machine binding very well.  Practice makes perfect.  This is for my scrap swap.  I have lots of fun scraps.

I have a couple more mug rugs that I am working on.  Going to try a different tactic for the binding.

Taming my Scraps

I finally could not stand my overflowing scrap bucket any longer.  I got as far as ironing every fabric and sorting by modern scraps, traditional scraps and strings.  There was a lot of fabric in my scrap bucket. It seems to be able to replicate itself and create more scraps.  Ha.  I have it tamed for now anyway.

I did not realize how much grey and texty fabric I had in the scrap bucket.  I forgot I made a quilt for my oldest son out it and had lots leftover.  I am going to have a separate plastic box just for my grey fabric.  I think I got carried away with purchases.

You can catch a glimpse of my new Olfa Splash rotary cutter in the right top corner.  I love it.  It is the best rotary cutter that I have used.  So comfortable.

Hopefully I can get back to my Tula Pink City Sampler blocks this week.  I have been trying to get my bee blocks done.  I think I need to up my hexie sewing skills.  I always seem to be sewing the wrong sides together.

Bottled Rainbow and Wonky Log Cabin

I got my scraps out to work on my Bottled Rainbow QAG blocks.  I had not touched them for a couple of years.  I saw someone had finally finished their quilt on Stitched in Color on Flickr.  I decided to get out some blocks and play.

My favorite is the yellow.  I have five done in total.  It is a fun use of scraps.  I did not realize that I had so many yellow scraps.  It is very bright and colorful.  I hope to have all sixteen blocks done by the end of the year.  It should make a fun charity quilt for my friend's charity.

Bottled Rainbow QAG from QAL Stiched in Color

While I had my scraps out I did a pink wonky log cabin block.  Now that I have my scraps organized by color again it should be easy to make some more wonky log cabin blocks in a rainbow of colors.

Quilting with a Modern Aesthetic

I decided to take off in another direction with some of my quilts.  I would like to explore more "modern" quilting.  I enjoy making slabs of fabric out of scraps and creating blocks.  I enjoy making traditional blocks made with modern fabrics.  I enjoy making "wonky" blocks. This venue will give me a chance to explore my "modern" side.

Wonky Log Cabin

I participated in one of Madame Samm's blog hops.  I made this cute wonky log cabin blocks and did a tutorial.  That was great fun and the first time I ever attempted a tutorial.

Improv Block

I made this when I was practicing for the QuiltCon Block Challenge.  I bound it and gave it to my sister for a mini-quilt hanging.  She had commented that it looked like a Mondrian painting.

Wonky Stars Quilt

I made this from a tutorial by verykerryberry QAL.  It was my first time with wonky stars.  I was inspired by a quilt that I found on Pinterest which had a link back to the QAL.  The actual tutorial for the wonky stars is from Silly BooDilly.  

As I add more "modern" quilts to my pile, I will keep on posting.