Friday, October 8, 2010

A-Mazing Abundance . . . . .


All Done!!

I've finished piecing my project from my Carrie Nelson Chicago Class #3....for some reason I started on the last class project and am working backwards...The pattern is Ashcombe, the name comes from a hedge maze in Australia....I do think this pattern has a maze look to it, so I named my quilt A-Mazing Abundance....because of the maze design and because that Simple Abundance fabric, by Bonnie and Camille for Moda, is simply amazing....




As I mentioned to several folks already, I would not have made this pattern had it not been a class project. I am so glad I did not pass it up. This pattern is only limited by your sense of adventure. It can be large, small, or any size in the middle, and I can't imagine any fabric used in this setting not looking wonderful. It could be a real stash buster too.

When I first threw all my blocks on my design wall, the green really stood out. I was wanting the focus to be more on the red side, but during one of our classes, Carrie mentioned that when a color doesn't work in a quilt, don't take it out, add more....so I did, and oddly enough, I think that really did the trick!


At this point, I contemplated adding a red containment border. Carrie also mentioned that whatever color you use in the borders of your quilt, will bring focus to that color in the center of your quilt. I was really wanting to focus on the red. But when I put a strip of red fabric on my design wall, I just didn't like the looks of it, so I dropped that idea and stayed with Carrie's pieced outer border.

I did make one, itsy bitsy change, the pattern called for a 4 patch block in the corner of the outer border......


Since all the 4 patches in the center of the quilt were floating in the background fabric, I decided to to the same for the corner.

So here's Carrie's Ashcombe cover quilt,


made with Simple Abundance.

And here's mine.

This is lifetime quilt number sixty.

This quilt has approximately 813 pieces,
and finished at 68" x 78".

I think this will be one of my all time favorite quilts. First, because the quilt's charm came as such a total surprise to me. But also, it will always remind me of the wonderful time I had on my trip, the great new friends I made, and the old friends who became even dearer to me.

Thanks Prairie Star Quilters Guild for sponsoring this class!! I hope to hear from my fellow classmates and see their finished projects!!

27 comments:

  1. It's just gorgeous...you've inspired me to make this pattern!

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  2. Beautiful quilt! I'm going to have to add this to my to do list.

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  3. You've certainly been busy and it looks fabulous!!!

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  4. It is beautiful...wow! Isn't is great when a quilt holds so many happy memories?!?

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  5. Love it! You made it quickly :)
    Hugs,
    Donna

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  6. It's really wonderful Thelma! Love it!

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  7. Thelma, I absolutely love your Ashcombe! And look how straight it is! I am so impresed o:) I never thought about doing Ashcombe until seeing your progress. I do believe I'll be making one of my own o:)

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  8. It looks fantastic and will go so well in your home. I like the way the white sets off the other colors. I think I am starting to like quilts with a lot of bright white.

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  9. What a perfect memento of our wonderful visit to Illinois! I love your quilt. My Ridiculously Cute Basket quilt is calling out to me to be finished--I used that same fabric group!

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  10. Thelma, your Ashcombe quilt turned out beautifully! I think you named it perfectly as well. This will be a fabulous reminder of the class and good friends you made there.

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  11. Love it! Looks great in those fall colors.
    Good tip about adding more of the "odd fabric out".

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  12. It is just gorgeous Thelma! I love the coloring and your corners. :-) Have a happy weekend!

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  13. It's a gorgeous quilt! I love that you always share your thought process for the changes you make!

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  14. That turned out just beautifully. I was a little hesitant on it when you showed small blocks close up, but when you step back and look at the big picture, it's just gorgeous. I now see why you like it so much. But that's an awful lot of pieces in a quilt that size. Kudos to you for getting it done so quickly!

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  15. A-maze-ing is right! I love how this turned out, and the corners are a wonderful addition!

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  16. I love this quilt. You did a great job and it sounds like you all had a great time!

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  17. Your quilt is beautiful. I really enjoyed hearing your thought process as you progressed. I think that is frequently the most fun (and frustrating) part of the piecing process.

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  18. Another great job! And thanks for sharing Carrie's tops on color placement. I would have never thought of more when it's a color I don't care for.

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  19. Beautiful quilt! I just bought this pattern last month. I'll have to find something fun to make it in. I LOVE the way it turned out!

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  20. Your quilt is absolutely gorgeous! I love the colors/fabrics you chose. Perfection.

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  21. This quilt reminds me of the tile quilts I've been making. Is it okay with you if I post the photo of this quilt on the Selvage Blog? With credits and a link to this blog, of course. Thanks.

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  22. great quilt. That pattern could be a great scrap quilt

    Love and hugs Gina xxxx

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  23. saw this quilt on The Selvage BLog today and I had to come find it. I LOVE IT! Soooo well done with those fabrics/colors. WOW!

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