Friday, November 15, 2013

Next Up . . .

Sometimes, when I finish one quilt, a quilt where I loved the pattern, the fabric, and created no drama for myself start to finish, plus throw in sewing with friends, a project like Nantucket,  it's sort of hard to start something new, something that will be as fun, as rewarding, and as satisfying as the last project.  I don't think I'm going to have that problem this time.  This is going to be my next project, "Starlight" by Camille Roskelley for thimble blossoms.  (click here for pattern)

This quilt is my new favorite size, 67" x 70".   I've found that quilts around that size are easy to work with, and can either be hung in my living room, thrown over a couch, or centered on my bed.  You can either make a template to cut the pieces for this quilt or use a 60 degree ruler. I bought one of those 60 degree rulers ages ago and have been looking for a reason to use it, now I have one.


Of the two quilts shown on the pattern cover, I'll be leaning more towards this one, the lighter one.


Besides using that ruler for the first time, I'm also going to be doing something a little different as far as the fabric for this top.  This is the print I'll be using for those large setting triangles, the green dot triangles in the pattern.




It's a Liberty of London print that I actually picked up at the Liberty of London Department Store this summer.  I'm fussy about my florals, as a matter of fact, I don't even wear florals,  I wear stripes or solids.  Some florals to me are "too granny",  some are "too whimsical", others are "too cartoonish", but I thought this floral was just right and so me, pink and red, what's not to love!  I thought Starlight would be a great way to showcase that floral fabric.  Those setting triangles are 8 inches top to bottom, a nice size.

The problem is that this is the only Liberty of London print I have, I don't even know if this was part of a family, and obviously I need more fabric for this quilt.  I almost always work from a family of fabric, sometimes, if I'm feeling really crazy, I may combine a couple of lines from the same designer, but unless it's some sort of super scrappy pattern, it's one fat quarter bundle or layer cake getting me through a project.

So I got out all my happy fabric bins and started pulling fabric.  Luckily for me it was a sunny day, good light was a big help.


I just laid the Liberty fabric next to my fat quarters and started selecting fabric that I thought was a good match.  The floral print has the following colors; dark gray, pink, orange, orange red, deep red, and a light and dark gray green.  Not a lot of colors really.


So after I pulled fabric that I thought matched the floral print, I made sure that all the reds, pinks, oranges, greens, and grays played well together, which eliminated some of the prints.  The greens were the hardest.  I also paid attention to the volume of the prints, I didn't want a large majority of the prints to be too bold, so bold that they would overpower the floral triangles.

So this is where I am, totally outside my comfort zone by selecting all this fabric.  I hope I got it right, time will tell!  I'll be heartbroken to cut and use that fabric and then not love the finished project.  I can hardly wait to get that fabric cut and few pieces up on my design wall.  Unfortunately it's that time of year when getting any real time in my sewing room is a rarity.  I've started my holiday chores, getting the carpet shampooed, cleaning out the spice cabinet, getting the lawn and trees ready for winter, and the septic tank ready for company.  I've had more people coming and going around this house this last week than I've had all year, plus my lists now have lists,  but things are shaping up, maybe I'll squeeze in some sewing time this weekend.



Keep your fingers crossed that it all works out for me!






17 comments:

  1. Your new project is fantastic. Picking the focus fabric and pulling from there tugs at my heartstrings. That's how I started quilting and have gotten away from doing that with the coordinated lines so available. What a great remembrance of your trip!

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  2. This is so fun... to tag along and peak over your shoulder on this quilty adventure!
    I'm feeling a little nervous that you are making such a hard quilt with limited amount of the focus fabric... yikes! Measure twice, or three times... cut once! Really love the floral!

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  3. This looks like a fun project. I love your comment, "..my lists now have lists." My life seems to be like that too.

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  4. Your fabric choices are beautiful! I love that pattern also and plan to make it.

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  5. You have amassed quite a collection of happy fabrics!

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  6. Looks like another amazing quilt in the making to me! And seeing those lovely bins makes me happy too.

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  7. Oh how I love the combinations you have chosen for this quilt! Your happy bins have the most wonderful vibrant colors. This will certainly be fun to watch as you create your Starlight London quilt!

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  8. I guess that bit of orange is in the center of your flowers. That and the grey don't really stand out just looking at the two photos of your chosen fat quarters and the print above, but the addition of orange and grey will probably help that quilt pop and also give some separation to the pieced star in the center. And your background will be??? light grey??? light pink??? Guess we will have to wait and see.

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  9. oooooo. What a yummy selection of fabrics! They make my heart sing. That's my kind of quilt! I have a 60' ruler but I don't have good luck with it. Things just don't line up afterwards. I'll have to try it again. Can't wait to see your progress on this one, Thelma!

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  10. I'm very anxious to see what it looks like when you get a few blocks completed - good luck! The colors are beautiful, but then I like the brights.

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  11. You go girl! I love it all. Liberty of London fabrics are so sweet. I hadn't given it a lot of thought... but you are so right, floral's can be tricky. I pretty much wear nothing but solids myself. Now I know why!
    I have made another quilt in this style before... I had to sew unit by unit in each row and then the row. It was a bit of a pain, but it wouldn't stop me from dong it again! I am hoping that I see you come up with something brilliant when you get to that part... I know if there is any trick, you will find it!

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  12. I love the colours you have chosen. I think it will be fantastic!

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  13. You have good fabrics to choose from, and a good eye. You'll be fine, and the quilt will be lovely!

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  14. with you piecing it, its going to look fabulous. have fun

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  15. Thelma, I love your colors and projects...can't go wrong with Camille's pattern :-) your tubs look so lovingly organized!

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  16. Love, love, love what you've chosen to go with your Liberty of London fabric! I think you are going to be so happy the result :-)

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  17. I think your fabric choices are going to make a great quilt Thelma. I, too, tend to keep my fabrics from one 'family' or designer's line when I work on a quilt. I find it safe that way!

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