Friday, July 3, 2015

Swoon * Agony

Following friend Doris's example (see post), I finally settled on a [modified] Swoon quilt as the first-year anniversary quilt for my stepson and bride. I have struggled with this gift since they first announced the wedding, kind of shadow-dancing with "their colors" (which were never clear), hoping the construction of their new house would give me some clues. Tan? Gray? Each seemed to have its advocate, and their final solution was: both? 


As a background, I finally found Peppered Cotton (these solids have different warps and wefts, like oxford cloth) in tobacco brown: rich fawn-brown warp, greenish-gray weft. This seemed to solve the tan vs. gray perplex in a fabric I could enjoy spending time with. 


However, I was not happy with the collection of the first nine blocks. Individual prints from my scrap stash had inspired me to import accents of pink and orange. These clashed. I wished I had chosen bigger, bolder patterns. Finally, I weeded out the four that seemed to disturb harmony the most. These will become a baby quilt some day:


I was left with the blocks that adhered firmly to a gold-and-blue regimen, from aqua to true blue, honey to tan. Back to the store to buy more of those colors, again more "blenders" rather than big, bold prints. The sales lady was shocked that I was combining batiks with printed patterns. But I felt hemmed in by what I'd already chosen.


Two weeks later, the quilt top is done (except for 3 inches of tobacco brown needed around the edge. I like the negative space of the brown. We are seeing them this Sunday, when I will present the finished product.


It is what it is. I hope it provides some "Mediterranean" sunshine (they honeymooned on the French Riviera) into a subdued (gray and tan, now I'm hearing "greens"--?) setting. I have not yet been to their house. They moved in two weeks ago while I was in Ohio. I hear that their bedroom carpet has a touch of blue. I've got my fingers crossed.

Update here

12 comments:

  1. The quilt is beautiful! I have no problem using batiks with other fabrics. I have a sign in my quilt room that says "My Quilt. my Rules!" I also have given up trying to match people's decor when making quilts. I always felt like the quilt got left behind when they changes colors and sometimes this happened before I ever got the quilt finished. I make quilts for snuggling on the couch. Rarely bed sized. Beautiful job. I am sure they will love it.

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    1. I offered them the option of a couch cuddle quilt. Some people like puffy comforters. But they opted for bed.... I think I am ending a phase of my quilt-making when I am trying to incorporate others' taste. I'm interested in finding out what it's like to say "me" in a quilt.

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  2. Agreed. Your quilts speak from you, your heart, your talents. If you love it, it will stand the test of time. It will be loved in your home for decades!

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  3. I think it looks lovely, great job!

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  4. Great job pulling your quilt together! Very special! I love all the peppered cottons I have used--what a wonderful choice for a background fabric. Making a quilt for someone according to specific colors is terribly hard for me too, but mixing batiks with prints? Why would that be odd? I thought all fabric could be used together at the whim of the quilter.:)

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    1. Thanks for your comment. I love your quilts!

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  5. You've hit the back pot I'd say. Intuition and a little luck never hurt anyone. Well done, really in love with your choice CV colors and fabric.

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  6. I've made 3 swoon quilts all with white backgrounds. I love, love, love your Brownie,greenie, gray background. Stellar. And of course you can use Batiks with everything else. Is she new to the process?

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    1. I think she thought I was new to the process. "You're aware that these are batiks and these aren't?" It was in southeastern Ohio. My mom, who I was with, chuckled as we left, combined, she and I have more than 50 years' experience!

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