Autumn Calling
When the autumn season comes, I find myself drawn to warm, earthy colors in my fabrics. It reminds me of autumn leaves, golden sunsets, warm sweaters and hot chocolate.
With that in mind, I pulled out some of those fabrics and started to cut them up. I have a pattern that I’m using as a guide, but my blocks are a different size. They are just simple half square triangles. The trimming is tedious, but it’s such a rewarding, happy feeling when that part is done!
I’m not really sure how many blocks I will end up with yet. I am working with the blocks I have and will make more if needed. If I end up with too many, I may split them and make two quilt tops.
My Third Eye
One of the things I struggle with when making a scrappy quilt is trying to control the block layout too much. While it’s important that the blocks play well together, I need to remember that sometimes that renegade block that bothers me might be just the thing to make the whole quilt pop. It’s also easy for me to get all caught up in not wanting to have two of the same colors or fabric patterns too close to each other. This is where my phone is a handy tool in the quilt room. Snapping a quick photo helps me see layout problems that I don’t always catch while I’m working on it.
So here’s my design wall progress with this quilt. I tried to capture a picture that shows the warmth of the autumn colors in the fabrics. The creams and tans are actually more golden than they show in this picture. I can already see that I need to tweak it a bit and add a few more colors. It’s not quite where I want it to be yet.
Here are the rest of the blocks, laying about while they waiting to be put on the design board in a somewhat orderly fashion. You can’t see the ones laying all over my sewing machine because that would show the rest of the mess on my sewing table.
The cheddar fabric in the bottom right of the photo below is a favorite. Someday I will make myself a two-color quilt out of cheddar and cream. I don’t know why I’m waiting…
So, who knows? This quilt may end up as two minis, one wallhanging, or grow to lap size. We’ll see. It’s all in the process, right?
I’m looking forward to seeing what you are working on today! Happy Friday, all!
Linking up with Sarah at Confessions of a Fabric Addict and Sherry at Powered by Quilting.
Wendy
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18 Comments
Paige @Quilted Blooms
I like scrappy, but too struggle with control so I know exactly what you mean! I’m loving that darker golden cheddar micro dot! Going to be a beautiful fall quilt whichever size you choose!
Vicki in MN
Liking your fabrics and colors! I see you have a linky I didn’t know about, off to check it out;)
Nancy @ Grace and Peace Quilting
Love the autumn warmth going on in your studio! Such pretty fabrics.
Cocoa Quilts
Wendy it is looking great. These colors are definitely fall, which is a color range i am missing in my stash. Looking forward to see what these become.
Lynn White
Autumn colours, wonderful and I so agree about the phone – very useful. Half square triangles are so versatile, looks like a great quilt in the making.
Katy S
I do the same thing! It’s pretty bad when you have to remind yourself to be random. This is looking gorgeous! Have fun!
piecefulwendy
Haha! So true, Katy! Thanks!
Lori East
Love it! I really enjoy this kind of project, where IT decides where it’s going. And I agree about those colors…boot-and-sweater weather is my favorite!
handwroughtquilts
Ooo, cheddar and cream. I’ve had an idea for a cheddar and indigo quilt in the back of my brain for years! Good luck with your HSTs.
Preeti
Having same fabrics placed too close to each other is the exact thing that drives me up my design wall. Glad to know that I am not alone in my OCD. I look forward to this warm earthy quilt project. Hugs to you.
Melanie McNeil
Lovely colors, and I do love triangle quilts. Yes, try not to arrange them all as “expected.” Beauty comes from the surprises in our lives. 🙂
karenfae
I love scrappy and yes taking photos help so much – I don’t know why you can be looking right at a quilt and not see the problems but take a photo and look at it on the computer screen and you spot things right away
Louise Hornor
Such a classic HST design in lovely autumn colors. I really like the direction this is going so far! That cheddar really is a great color and a whole quilt of it with cream would be dreamy!
Kathleen McCormick
Yup, I too am a control freak with scrappy quilts. I totally want to control it. I love that the lesson I often learn is the quilt does something I don’t expect when I mistakenly piece it the wrong way even with all the planning. Cheddar is a fun color and I look forward to seeing the cream and cheddar quilt someday, Our phones/pictures can help us so much in our creative process.
poweredbyquilting
I love HSTs and the colors are screaming fall! I also struggle with scrappy quilts… I worry too much that the colors are going to clash terribly or I’m going to have too many of the same type of print together. I really should just learn to let it go!
piecefulwendy
Boy, can I relate, Sherry! It drives me nuts, so that’s why I have to walk away. I hope to get back to it today and see if I can get the top together.
Needle and Foot
Oh Wendy, I can easily relate to this. I also think a bit too much about which colors are close in proximity — I think what I have seen so far is just yummy. I love autumnal colors and this is such a warm, pleasing palette. Cheddar and Cream? Yes – that is a great idea.
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