How it comes together

Recently I mentioned cutting: for ages I've been contemplating making a quilt for myself.  (For "contemplating" read "accumulating lots of fabric and supplies") One of the most useful things I bought was long quilter's pins - though I wouldn't recommend the online supplier I used as they only tell you after you've completed your purchase that they take 3-5 business days to ship, and in fact they take two weeks.  Harumph.

It starts here.

 

With some supervision.

I think it was Manda at Tree Fall who suggested using a fleece blanket as a 'design wall'.  I pinned folded half yards and fat quarters of fabric up there initially using the long pins, but it also works brilliantly for free form design when you have cut strips or pieces; as the fabric adheres to the fleece and you can reposition it easily (who else had Fuzzy Felt as a kid?)

This is trying to factor in neutrals.

And then I sort of abandoned that.  Now it seems like 1.5 inch strips will be the way to go.  Somehow it always comes together on the ironing board.  I realised the missing element was my most favouritest fabric ever, the Denyse Schmidt Flea Market Fancy that's hiding at the back.

Tomorrow we cut - assuming that I can repossess the cutting mat.

Comments

[Thimbleanna]

Ooooh fun! Now see...long pins. That's what I'm talking about -- things you want, maybe don't need??? Rulers? Cutters???

I love the strips option -- I always think of you when I see them. Long ago you had a strip quilt on an ironing board and I thought it was your ironing board cover. I've always wanted to have an ironing board cover like that but not sure how it would work to iron on all those seams.

My mom uses a big piece of flannel tacked to her wall for a design wall. It works great and she never has to pin anything there.

[denise]

I love the striped version. You could do cushions to match too.
(And curtains and a tablecloth and maybe a coat...)
Seriously, I love the colours and patterns, can't wait to see how it goes!

[Cherry Rockette]

ooh, i like the colours in the fabrics. they really work well together.
and thanks for the tip about the fleece! i am about to undertake my first ever quilt, and wasn't sure how to plan it out very well, and now i do! thanks.

xxxCherry

[ruth singer]

yes, the stripes are the thing. very much so.
I've just put together a big box of bits ready for my own quilt. expect something to show for it in about 2012....