It’s always the last one………

I bought 26 fat quarters of Alison Glass Chroma fabric to use for my next project.  Yummy, right?

And then the dilemma.  I need background fabric.  Lots of background fabric.  Do I choose white – safe but not a wow background?  Maybe black – I always default to black.  Tried both and blah, nothing exciting there.

So off I go to see Cynthia at Stitch Your Art Out for some inspiration.  We spent an hour trying various shades of blue, yellow, and gray.  Nope – all were ok but not “it”.  Then Cynthia pulled a beautiful dark brown and it looked great with the fabrics.  Made them pop and I liked it.  We continued to try a few repeats just to make sure brown was the one.

And then Cynthia said –  “Let’s just see how this purple looks.”

WOW!  I knew right away that was it!

Here are some of my blocks so far:

Bubble Gum

Boutique Shimmer

Babbling Blue

Thanks, Cynthia for helping me choose a not boring background!  More blocks to come!

Do you have a go-to background or do you like to try lots of fabrics before deciding?

Happy Fall!

Barbara

 

 

 

Advertisement

Top 8 Reasons to take a quilt class!

1.  Most obvious – learn a new skill.  Whether its a new tool, new technique, or new pattern, taking a class is a great way to learn. Your teacher is an expert in class content and can explain to you in a way you can understand.  We all learn a little differently and a good instructor will be able to help you understand the concept.
2. Refresh or perfect a skill.  If it’s been a while since you’ve quilted or you’re struggling with a tool or technique a class is a great way to get “back in the saddle”.
3. It’s the little things. In class you may learn a new way to pin, perfect your quarter inch or learn to spin your seams..
4. You’ll be encouraged to change your rotary cutter blade.  None of us change it often enough – go change your blade right now!  You will thank me!
5. You’ll “need” to buy new fabric – like you need a reason!  Of course you can use something out of your stash – but that new fabric line would be perfect!
6. In class you’ll get to see the fabric combinations of all the other students.  I’m always amazed by the different styles and colors chosen for projects.  And inspired!
7. Sometimes there is Show and Tell – more inspiration!
8. Make new friends, hang out with other quilters, share ideas and laugh!

Do you take quilt classes?  What would you add to the list?

Click HERE to check out my classes – I just added 4 NEW classes!  

More vintage fun!

Another vintage top finished!  I added muslin borders to make it bigger and quilted with a simple butterfly meander.

The butterflies are all done by hand.  Look at the details in the stitches – especially that Blanket Stitch!  Amazing art!

It’s always a privilege for me to finish these vintage tops.  Most have been “safely” tucked away and no one gets to enjoy the art from the past.

Years ago I would cringed when one was brought to me – Should I quilt this?  Is it valuable?  Will machine quilting lessen the value?  Will the “quilt police” show up?  Can they be quilted by machine?  I had lots of questions and the only answer seemed to be -NO – never machine quilt vintage quilts!

Never being one to take NO for an answer I’ve quilted many vintage tops over the years.  And many who’ve had those quilt tops tucked away are now able to use, display and enjoy some family treasures.

Do you have some quilts or quilt tops tucked away?