Thursday, June 12, 2014

"A Change, Would Do You Good"

"Ten  years living in a paper bag . . . . ."  

I heard the Sheryl Crow song, "A change would do you good" on the radio this week and it's stuck in my head. Maybe because it pertains to what's going on in my sewing room.

Around this time last year I bought the Material Obsession 2 book by Kathy Doughty and Sarah Fielke for one pattern alone, this pickle dish pattern.   Considering what I was making in my sewing room up to that point, this was huge leap in a new direction.  For some reason there was no doubt in my mind that I  needed a quilt like this, even though it was very different for me.


When I was 14 years old I got my ears pierced.  When my dad came home from work and I showed him my ears he said, "I guess you want to look like a , like a,    GYPSY!"  I was confused by his red face, unhappiness, and the use of the word gypsy.  Looking back on it, I now know that gypsy was the nicest not nice word he could think of to call his daughter.  I'm not sure why he was so opposed to pierced ears, but we both got over it, probably because having pierced ears didn't lead me down a road of ruination.  So for this reason I've always associated the word gypsy with being a little wild and a little bad.  So not only was this pattern a little out there for me, it was named Gypsy Kisses!

It wasn't too long after I saw this pattern that I obtained a stack of Liberty of London fat quarters.  



And this print was in the mix.  As soon as I saw it I knew that it would be the background fabric for my Gypsy Kisses quilt.  I was able to find 5 yards online, it was meant to be.

Now I know myself well enough to understand that I needed to work up to this quilt.  It took me a year to collect the right fabric to work with that Liberty of London fabric and to get used to working with more modern prints and bolder colors.

Everything was going according to plan, I had  my mind in the right place and the fabric I needed to piece this top,  I was ready to roll.  Then two amazing Gypsy Kisses tops popped up in blogland.  This one by Jessica at Twin Fibers and this one by Cindy at Hyacinth Quilt Designs.  I loved them both and started rethinking the fabric I wanted to use for my quilt.  In the end I decided to stick with my original plan.  While their quilts are beautiful, I have a couple of beautiful quilts already, I also have several pretty quilts, red quilts, traditional quilts, reproduction quilts, holiday quilts, happy quilts and even one or two modern quilts, what I don't have is a wild and crazy quilt, and that's just what I wanted.

So now I'm off and running!


This is my first block.  It looks exactly in person how I've been picturing it in my head, and in this case, that's a good thing!  So while I'm sure many of you are thinking "that sure is different for you", I'll take that as a complement, because yes, it sure is, but that's not a bad thing.

Are you drooling over all the wonderful summer quilt alongs currently taking place? I love sewing, but it's always more fun when I sew with friends.   I've talked myself into and out of that QuiltJane Nested Churn Dash quilt every day this week.  There are several others, like this Summer Sparkle project.  Just in case you've not found your perfect summer sew along project here are two more.  I've been blogging about that Quick Curve Ruler for months and have finally decided to quit talking and start sewing.  In a couple of weeks I'll be starting on Metro Scope, if you've been wanting to make one of Jenny's curve patterns pick one out, get your fabric, and join the fun.  For this sew along there will be no rules,  just check in with any progress whenever you want. We'll probably have some sort of parade by the end of the summer.

Additionally, as soon as this pattern is available,


Harvey (aka BAB, big blank basket), by Miss Rosie's Quilt Company, I'm stopping whatever I'm working on and making it. If you would like to make this big blank basket quilt too, a layer cake and 5 yards of background fabric are more than enough to get you through.  So think about that too.  I like to make a basket quilt every year, this is my 2014 basket quilt. Who can't use a big blank basket quilt?

And finally, I forgot to mention last week that Cathy at Quilting on Main Street won the Cotton and Steel tote bag.  Thanks to all who left comments with your next project, you helped me add to my To Do List!

16 comments:

  1. I love my Gypsy Kisses quilt too! Not quite as wild as yours though! I think it's a good thing to get out of our comfort zone and make something 'unexpected'!

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  2. I bought the Material Obsession book 2 too. There are a couple projects percolating for me. I am not as far along as you, but will enjoy your journey and be inspired by it.

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  3. I have the book and am mulling things over. I think, however, that I will sew along with you on Metro Scope, thanks to your generous give-away of the ruler and pattern! Oh, also, when I first saw Carrie's Harvey quilt, I said out loud, that is one big 'blank' basket!! Lol.

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  4. I am so happy to see this posted this morning. I've been following on Instagram and have been anxiously waiting to see this on your blog. I have been thinking about making this quilt for a long time. I too have the book Material Obsession but the construction on this quilt looks more like the quilt on the cover of the Kaffe Fasset book Quilt Romance. I like this method better as it doesn't require appliqueing the arcs down to the background. I would be interested in knowing more about how you pieced this before I get started. It's really nice to learn from others experience sometimes. Your quilt is really turning out beautiful, thanks for sharing.

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  5. Thelma, this block looks just like I imagined you might make for "Gypsy Kisses." The background fabric is fabulous, but the other fabric choices stand on their own as well. The block is way-colorful (a good thing), but the colors are balanced well and look precisely pieced. I love this quilt but don't feel up to it YET! One day! It does remind of my quilts I finally got to stitching with Kaffe fabric. I saved every shred of leftover fabric and I loved every quilt I created with it when I worked with it. There is just something about a color saturated quilt that wants to be made every so often. Give in; you will love it. Stephani in N. TX (Tomazec@aol.com)

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  6. Congrats to Cathy! Gypsy Kisses is out of this world!

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  7. Your Gypsy Kisses looks awesome!! I decided to churn dash along and have gotten 3 blocks completed and the 4th one half done. I like that I can get a block done in one evening and prep the next one. It's been fun so far.

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  8. Gypsy Kisses is the perfect summer project! Looks like a lot of fun... and challenge too!
    I have talked myself in and out of the nested churns too, but I'm 99% sure I'll give in! LOL

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  9. Although I do admire Gypsy Kisses, it is not the kind of quilt I would do. It is not only outside my comfort zone, it is WAY outside my ability for me to contemplate doing something like that (too many small pieces and curves). So I cheer you on because I really admire quilts I can't do for myself. Go! Thelma Go!

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  10. I am glad your sticking with your original plan I love that liberty fabric way out of the box for me too but its perfect, its going to be a fun quilt.
    ok I am so with you about the basket quilt of Miss Rosies I am waiting for that pattern too, it was one of my favorite quilts from all the pictures of quilts from market.
    I love graphic quilts right now and baskets? how can we ever go wrong with baskets?
    Kathie

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  11. please let us know about the big basket would love to make one in addition most of my sewing comes to a halt in summer my husband thinks I need to go outside... What !! and help him
    had a bag of Harley shirts dropped in my lap and really want to make a statement with it my first and hope my last and I have to 3 yr old proof my house Ughso I only have time to read yours keep um coming ill have to sew through you
    my other wedding gift has slowed me I just cant pick that perfect pattern fast and easy so I have not blogged lately my bad !

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  12. The Liberty fabric is going to be fun to work with...I can't wait to see the magic you work out of it.

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  13. This is going to be stunning!

    P.S. I didn't understand the big basket/big rabbit/Harvey thing so Googled it...and spent what felt like all night dreaming about gigantic rabbits that got into mischief and then blamed me. You and Carrie have a lot to answer for!!

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  14. My hubby watches a "gypsy" show on television and tells me they are very smart; so that's a better compliment than what your Dad was thinking at the time. I'm loving the colors in this quilt; so bright and vibrant. It will be beautiful (as usual) when it's done, XOXO

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  15. Love your choice of background fabric! I look forward to seeing the finished quilt.

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  16. I purchased the same book about a year ago. Still haven't found my background fabric but yours is going to be awesome.

    suebennett1975@gmail.com

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