Thursday, September 2, 2010

Building blocks

I don't buy big pieces of fabric but occassionally I will buy a designer fat quarter collection because you get all the colours working together which is great for me to do scrappy looking quilts. I've been hoarding these Jennifer Paganelli fabrics for awhile and out they've come for a play which takes all the agony out of choosing what goes with what.
Miss 10 year old grandaughter needs a bigger quilt and it's always a tough decision to decide what to make for others. I have got the seal of approval for these fabrics. Just as well because I didn't really give her any other choices.
Onto my quiltus interruptus, my new project! It was hard making those first cuts I can tell you. I remember a quote from one of the Gees Bends quilters who said "you just take one pretty piece of fabric and then another and you sew them together"

Now I can do all sorts of piecing and applique quilts that take a really long time to make but there is something about simple patchwork that appeals to me so much that they often become favourite quilts. Maybe it's because it's about quilts that are made to be used up, they're humble, freeing and fun to make. 
I had to think a bit on the format and method because to an organised person like moi, random still needs a plan. I was inspired by the quilts over here and here
I'm working with 16 inch blocks and making up each one as I go. Sometimes, I'll jot down the measurements within the block so as not to waste precious fabric.
It's growing quite fast and I don't want to stop, I can move blocks around and flip them, that's play my friends. I can't wait to try out some machine quilting on this but I'll have to wait for a batting and backing to arrive first. I'll be back when the top is together.

58 comments:

Anonymous said...

That looks so much fun.

cheers
Christine

Sue said...

Wow these fabrics are so wonderful all together. It's going to be such a happy quilt.

Helen said...

Good morning! I just dropped in to see what was going on...and as soon as I saw your grand daughters new quilt a Spice Girls song popped up in my head. Thanks for the 'start with one pretty piece' motto and a fun song to start my morning.
Helen from Halifax

Andi said...

This is looking so gorgeous!!

Rachaeldaisy said...

Oh this is going to be so much fun!! I love Jennifer Paganellis fabrics! I'll enjoy watching this grow!

Barb said...

I just love those fabrics, you sure have an eye for colors...

Lotte van der Linden said...

I wish I was your granddaughter...

Alice said...

I have one of those fabrics (second from the right, top row, last photo). I made it into a sundress for my daughter and a pencil case. Those fabrics really make me smile.
I love simple quilts - they are kind of like bread and butter or potatoes - you need them to balance the richer, fancier quilts.

PatchworkRose said...

Gorgeous Colours :-) What a fun quilt
Cheers
Lynne

antique quilter said...

what fun sometimes we all just need a break and make a nice simple fun quilt
love the fabrics oh she is going to LOVE this quilt when your done.
Kathie

Copper Patch said...

I could dive into that pile of fabric. It's going to be a wonderful quilt.
Abbe

Unknown said...

Just beautiful and it is sure to be loved! Looking forward to seeing more. The second "here" link didn't work. I am curious to see your other inspiration.

Shirley said...

Those fabrics are just so girly and how can your granddaughter not like them. Proper patchwork. Will you put into practice your new machine skills? I have lots of those quiltus interruptous moments - do you think it is contagious and what is the cure?
Shirley.x

Crispy said...

Oooo love this fabric and the quilt is going to be so beautiful!! Your granddaughter is going to love it :0)

Crispy

Kath said...

What delicious fabrics!

Abby and Stephanie said...

Miss 10 is one very lucky granddaughter. It's hard to cut into the pretties sometimes but I love that you're using large scrappy pieces to showcase the prints. I've always love the hexagon print.

Elisabeth said...

This is so good! I can´t wait to see this one finished :-)

Elisabeth

Miriam said...

I think Miss 10 is going to adore this quilt!! Beautiful, bright colours!

Nedra said...

I often have a hard time cutting into some of my favorite fabrics too. But then when you see how well they play together, it's a shame not to use them. Love the fabrics you have chosen and the scrappy pattern.

Terry said...

She's going to love it! And what a simple way to show off all that lovely fabric! :0)

quiltingnana said...

the colors are beautiful...and sometimes simple is better!

Angela said...

Those fabrics are beautiful - looks like something my 12-y-o would like too! :o)

Dixie Howard said...

Oh your lucky grandaughter! This quilt is fabulous, and she will treasure it.

Thimbleanna said...

Boy, oh boy, I could identify with everything you said! I have a really hard time cutting into my fabrics too. And there's something about simple patchwork, isn't there? While I ooh and aah at the detailed quilts, you're right -- the simple patches are still just very appealing!

Meredith said...

The fabric is so pretty that it actually did not look that simple on the third photo. I am sure she will love it.

Betsy said...

Janet the fabric is so pretty. It will be loved.

Teresa Rawson said...

You have such a great eye for working with these fabrics...they look really great together in blocks! Lucky granddaughter!

In stitches,
Teresa :o)

Chartreuse Moose said...

What a wonderful bunch of fabrics...you'll have a winner for sure with those! Plus your clever/original blocks are delightful! Thank you for a lovely post!

Darlene said...

Oh, what a fun bunch of fabrics to make an adorable quilt. I love it, Janet and your granddaughter is going to 'swoon' when she receives it. :-)

Dolores said...

What a fun, bright quilt. Perhaps you are playing so much that there will be another in the future? And another?

Nanette Merrill said...

Really stunning! Just stunning Janet. I love Jennifer's fabric too. I was thinking how great that flag of England quilt would look with this fabric. I have pieces of hers I need to use.

Mary said...

I, too, love to do beautiful applique quilts but there's just something plain ol' FUN about making a utility quilt. Love the fabrics!

Janet said...

What beautiful fabric!! These blocks really show off the fabric well and I suspect they will show off your marvelous machine quilting just as well.

Stina Blomgren said...

WOW... Love this... just like candy all over.. really love it..:O))

Stina Blomgren said...

WOW... Love this... just like candy all over.. really love it..:O))

Loris said...

This is going to be gorgeous!
Thanks for sharing the inspiration web site. Beautiful!

Eileen said...

Thanks for not calling this beautiful quilt "mindless piecing". I've been hearing that so much lately.
I LOVE the colors and the way you're putting them together. I agree with you-even random needs a plan :)

Kaaren said...

Your granddaughter is going to love it! How could she not? The colors and fabrics are to die for and I don't think you could have chosen a better pattern to showcase the fabrics.

Now I can't wait to see the quilting. I can only imagine how glorious it will be!

LintLady said...

Scrappies are so much fun! I made 5 of them so far and usually I make quilts for my family and friends. Thats more fun, because I don't need more than 4 for myself (one for each season and to change for cleaning). So I have to make quilts for the other loved people, who don't know how to sew, right ? ;o)
Cheers from Germany
Doris

alobsiger said...

Really, really lovely, Janet! Jennifer Paganelli's fabrics are just SO CHEERFUL!

Jan said...

*Random still needs a plan*...yes, we are kindred spirits! lol
Love this top. So happy!

Munaiba said...

Those fabrics look gorgeous together. You GD will be thrilled.

Julia said...

This is going to be gorgeous Janet..your little GD will love it...pretty and simple works well!
Julia ♥

Unknown said...

Looks Perfect for a 10yr old...Love the way the fabrics are coming together like they were meant to be...Gorgeous.
cheers

Nat Palaskas said...

Simple is best Janet. What lovely collection of the fabric and you are going to show case them in this quilt. She will love it and you will have fun machine quilting it afterward too!
Have a nice weekend - Hugs Nat

Mary on Lake Pulaski said...

How happy and pretty Janet!

Marit said...

Thank you for sharing about this quilt and the "pattern" you use. It will be so colorful, whimsy and sweet. So lovely! Love the fabrics you are using, too. Most of them can be found in my stash, too. You are inspiring me to dig them out!
; )

kim mclean said...

Love it Janet!! Kim McLean

Anonymous said...

I adore Jennifer Paganelli fabrics. They're hard for me to find where I live. : /

The quilt is a delight, Janet. Lil' Miss 10 years old will be twirling about 'til you have it done. ; )

Anonymous said...

Can't wait to see more pictures! I love that you incorporated pieced blocks along with your squares and rectangles of beautifully patterned fabric. I think that's the best of both worlds. The simplicity of the new modern and more contemporary quilts but the delight of patchwork and pieced blocks.

Melissa

P.S. Your applique works of art amaze me every day. I love your blog and admire your talent. You're wonderful with needle and thread and equally as talented behind a machine! Thanks fo always sharing with us.

Lori said...

What a fun happy quilt! It is hard to cut into a nice pile of lovely fabric, but once you start isn't it a blast?!

ChhaviCreates said...

Beautiful quilt!

Pat Sloan said...

What fun to see you play around with the 16" block ... that is so cool! can't wait to see your quilt!

Carrie P. said...

OOOO, I like that a lot.

*karendianne. said...

What a fun, inspiring, thrilling sort of sharing. I think you said it perfectly: "Maybe it's because it's about quilts that are made to be used up, they're humble, freeing and fun to make."

Live a Colorful Life said...

Oh so cheery. I have a lot of those fabrics myself. And I also love your statement that "random still needs a plan." I totally get that!

Barb said...

Lovely and reminds me of the antique chintz quilts made with salesman samples.
Great cheerful look!

Unknown said...

Looks just beautiful! :)