Saturday, May 31, 2008

Breaking in Fabric

I bought a length of Madras plaid for Bonnie - I love the colors but such a large pattern is hard to use - it's going to be a challenge. But for her, not me, heh heh heh. Much easier that way. Here's Pokey breaking the fabric in for her. I have no idea why the blue washcloth was on the fabric, but of course when I tried to move it, Pokey moved.

That nice stack of fabric behind her is new fabric that I've been washing and ironing. I'm embarrased to have bought so much when there is still plenty on the shelves, but I've been gripped by this new lighter color scheme. I'm filling in gaps in my collection, yeah that's it.

I wanted longer lengths of the fabric in the Moda Citrus Jelly Roll. If you go check out my previous post on the Jelly Roll you'll see that I've added the color names of the fabrics in case you want to get some of these yourself. Warning, very addictive.

When I started playing with the fabrics I HATED the lighter green color (Jungle Leaf). Hated it but forced myself to use it anyway because I did like that Jelly Roll... Once a bunch of blocks were on the design board I realized that the lighter green really sang. I love these:

And now a note about paying attention to the design wall or floor you use. I've already learned to my disappointment that having a black design wall makes all the colors pop in your top, but once it's no longer hanging on that background the quilt is horrible and dull. I did that several times. True white can be dangerous too. I think a grey or khaki is probably best.

Anway, this is a hoot. Look at what a green background can do. These are the same exact blocks as above, as photographed on my cutting mat. I didn't adjust the colors at all in the software. Just looking through the camera I knew something was incredibly wrong.


The lesson: using a green design wall is right out.

21 comments:

loulee said...

You know all these bright colours, feel very much like the Hawian quilt is happening all over again.

antique quilter said...

Love that plaid, it is just so cheerful!
your solids and pile fabric is inspiring me to start working with solids again...
I love the look of your nine patches.
Yes I have moved a few times and have tried different design walls for the reasons you stated.
Now I have a taupe/khaki wall and it is the best one I have had so far in mho.
Its a queen FLANNEL sheet set from JC PEnney's.

Sharon said...

What wonderful eye candy! I love those "fruit-juicy" colors, and Bonnie's plaid fits right in. Pokey looks quite determined to stay where she is!
I love your 9-Patches. They're so happy-looking! And that green is so vibrant! Looks great! But, yeah, you gotta look out for what your design wall is doing, color-wise, to your design. I used a large piece of gray flannel for awhile, then tried white batting. I guess you need to decide what your "neutral" is going to be, and use that color? But that green cutting board is sure not it!

Lynda said...

How can you not love lime green?!! There is not a quilt in the world which can't be improved by a little dab of lime green! Think new shoots in the spring - perfect!

Lily Mulholland said...

Pokey looks so cute there :)

That tricky green strikes again! Those 9 patches look great with the lime!!

Amanda said...

Love those colours - you couldn't help but be cheered up by them on even the dullest day. Thank you for your tips on a design wall. I plan to have one when we move house and would have thought white was the right colour, but now I know better.

sewkalico said...

I love the green! The difference between the two backgrounds is amazing.

Clare said...

Love the green. I'm going through a lime green phase at the moment. Have got a pile of green and dark blue on the cutting mat and they zing together (DH muttering about blue and green should never be seen. Mr Stuck in His Ways LOL)

Re design walls. How about a pile of old sheets of different colours to be used to help decide the background of the quilt, like wot I did with those houses. The black background really lifts it out of the doldrums. I've got a pale blue sheet somewhere. Would that suffice I wonder?

Don't forget the PĂ©rigord goes to Montmartre this weekend.

Joyce said...

I love the lime green and it certainly makes the blocks sing! My design wall is white but there are so many threads stuck to it that it's starting to look a bit gray. Lol. Maybe it's time to upgrade. I'd like something with a grid on it so I wouldn't end up with an angled quilt, esp when putting up blocks on point.

jovaliquilts said...

When I was a kid I told everyone that green was my favorite color. It wasn't, but I felt sorry for green because I thought no one else would ever pick such an ugly color! (I was an idiot and way too tenderhearted!) But quilting has forced me to rethink my color prejudices and I've come to discover that lime green has real zing with other brights. Still working on that poison green color from the thirties, though ... maybe one day!

And I love that madras, reminds me of the 60's and early 70's.

Cathi said...

I love the plaid and all the other light brights in the picture! And, of course, the kitty is adorable!

YankeeQuilter said...

I think it was Kaffe Fasset that recommended using light khaki or Tan for a design wall. I bought some flannel on sale and it is great for auditioning fabrics - besides I can roll blocks up in it and they stay in place!

The new farics look great.

Nancy said...

The best design surfaces I've ever found are flannel-backed vinyl tablecloths from Wal-mart. I LOVE those things; they're easy to fold up and take with me to workshops (attach to any wall w/duct tape)and easy to replace. I got mine on sale for $2, but at full price they're still a bargain. The white surface doesn't bother me;I hang mine over the stash shelves at home. Nancy

Carol E. said...

Pokey is a delicious cat! She is so pretty and always so clean and soft. I can feel her right through the computer screen.

Christine said...

Nice to see Pokey 'on the job'. Oliver 'helped' me measure and cut some fabric today. (He was a bit of a pain actually!)

Journeying said...

How fortunate you are to have your cats to help you with all your projects - and community-minded enough to help with things for your friends as well!
Luscious, luscious colors.
And I love y ouro pictures of the cobbles - looking at things like that has always fascinated me.

Chocolate Cat said...

Think I will need to use that reasoning next time I want to buy new fabric - just filling the gaps in my stash!!!

Kristin Shields said...

Wow! What an interesting difference. I just love that lime green and it looks great with the fabrics you chose (in the first photo of course). I have a grey cutting mat and I like it so much better than the old green one I had. It wasn't a conscious choice though. It was what was available when I needed to get a larger mat for my new cutting table. Have fun with all that color!

Ahava Hopps Brooke said...

Love your nine patches. I think it's cool how we never get tired of new nine patches; maybe because we don't get tired of fabric/colors!

Love Pokey pictures. Such a pretty cat.

Cher said...

that is not so much new fabric Ton..and yes, it's important to have plenty of the right colors on hand, at all times...quite yummy.
Nine patches looking great. sweet Pokey...I am sure Bonnie will appreciate that cat seal of approval.

Magpie Sue said...

I had a light yellow design wall for the longest time. I never really noticed it affecting the colors of the blocks. When I started blogging and taking pictures of my work I decided white was the way to go. Sometimes the white is too reflective for photography but I'm happy with it otherwise. I couldn't live with a gray wall in front of my face for love nor money!