Primary Colors Challenge
My Primary Colors Challenge is finished. This quilt was made for the Primary Improv Challenge from Quilt Improv Studio. The main features of this challenge: the quilt had to be a minimum of 24″ x 24″ and had to use only the colors of red, blue, yellow, black and white.
I started with this color pull of fabric, and I used everything but the solid white. The solid fabrics are all Kona: Ocean, Canary, Cardinal, Black and White. The white print is a Libs Elliott. I don’t know the designer of the text fabric.
Here’s what I learned while making this quilt:
For this quilt, I worked from a sketch. Usually I start by constructing a block and working from there. I discovered that I find working from a sketch constricting, and it causes me to overthink rather than just go with the flow. For example, my sketch was not symmetrical, but I second-guessed myself and decided to make it more symmetrical. I’m a bit disappointed in that.
I also learned I’m not terribly keen on the primary colors. They are bold and a little intimidating, but in the end, I found that seeing this quilt on my design wall was energizing.
Adding the black outlines to the colors was more challenging than I thought it would be. I do like how the black makes the colors stand out, however. This quilt ended up more Mondrian-esque than I intended, but I’m okay with that.
Once the quilt top was constructed, I started quilting it with straight lines spaced 1/2″ apart. I used a variegated yellow thread (Aurifil 50 wt #3910).
The quilt back is just a solid piece of Kona Dove. I pieced the batting together from remnants in my stash, and I bound the quilt with Kona black. The finished size of the quilt is 30″ x 36″. I have yet to name this quilt, which is surprising to me. Usually a name comes to mind while I am working on the quilt, but not this time. I’m open to suggestions!
Although I struggled a bit with this Primary Colors Challenge, I enjoyed the process and look forward to the next!
Wendy
To Do Tuesday
24 Comments
Cindy Pieters
Striking quilt Wendy, well done!
rl2b2017
Hi Wendy! I agree with Cindy – your finish is quite striking. I really like the addition of the solid black strips. They seem to really anchor each section and each individual color and it gives the eye a place to rest and take in the whole. Beautiful job. {{Hugs}} a bunch. ~smile~ Roseanne
Kathy Swallows
Definitely a stunning finish! Very bold and bright. The straight blue lines and the curved yellow lines make me think of cars on a highway (blue) with off ramps (yellow), with the blocks of color or black and white on either side as “fields”. So my suggested names are mostly highway/travel related, such as “Off the Beaten Path” “Off Ramp” Maybe those will give you a jumping off point to find a name.
Janine @ Rainbow Hare
This is a fantastic finish 🙂
Sandra Walker
Wow Wendy I just love this! You should enter this into a quilt show. Striking indeed as Cindy and Roseanne said. I love the black outlines too!
Brenda @ Songbird Designs
You definitely nailed the challenge, Wendy! Great quilt!
Sue
I really like it and it made me think of a sundial.
Vicki in MN
Improv is very artistic, this piece is stunning! Those colors together compliment your design so well.
karenfae
that is a very interesting piece – I used to buy a lot of Kona Cotton Solids and now I rarely do for some reason – the colors you use are bold for sure!
Diann@LittlePenguinQuilts
I’ve really been looking forward to seeing your finish on this one, Wendy! Even though you’ve shown peeks at it, seeing the complete finish hanging on the wall makes such a difference. I love the black borders around the bold primary colors. And that black and white text print – love it!
The Joyful Quilter
Congrats on a well met challenge, Wendy!
Riceford Streams
I agree with Sandra — Your improv quilts could be a quilt show on their own. You’ve got talent!
Rochelle Summers
I love the bright primary colors and the black and white really set off the different parts of the quilt. The quilting itself is very nice and pulls the whole quilt together. I don’t think I could have done as well. Congratulations on putting yourself out there. And thank you for sharing your work. It’s inspirational.
Kathleen McCormick
I think this is a fabulous quilt. I love the colors and the arrangement; although I would have trouble working in that color family, too. It is funny how we second guess ourselves, but maybe someday we will learn to quiet the inner critic. Congrats on another terrific improv piece.
Nancy @ Grace and Peace Quilting
What a fun new quilt for your studio! It’s pretty tough not to be Mondrian-esque using those colors. Love it!!!
Carol Andrews
Wendy this challenge piece is stunning! Another inspiring finish.
Yvonne @Quilting Jetgirl
It sounds like this quilt had a lot it wanted to teach you along the way. I find that I often work with very symmetrical designs and when I change things up to be asymmetrical I like it a lot (but I still don’t do it much). I think I would call this quilt “Spoke” because of the text print (language) and because the primary colors look like spokes on a wheel to me.
quiltinggail
Great little quilt!
As for a name … I’m not good at that … but I immediately thought, “broken roads” … the straight part in the middle makes me think of a crosswalk and the curved parts as roads … but the roads lead to nowhere … 🙂
Jan Altomare
Wendy you are nailing these challenges! This one is very bright I like how you’ve used them and like the black. I like Yvonne’s suggestion, Spoke.
Linda
It’s a beautiful quilt! It is a nice size, and I really like the black outlines on those colors. I like Yvonne’s name idea!
Helen
Well, I do like this one. I’m not sure what about it draws me in, but it does. Now, it is missing your signature lime green or bright orange… it’s still you.
Jocelyn Thurston
This turned out beautifully! Another Made By Wendy beauty. Working with just those colours would make any design wind up looking Mondrian I think, though I think he didn’t use curves???. I shy away from solids and actually ordered more last week to see if having more colours would inspire me. Happy Sewing Wendy.
marissthequilter
You certainly rose to this (difficult) challenge and produced an eye-catching piece. I don’t think I would have been as brave as you were!
Danice G
Your quilt is so pretty. ‘Reminds me of the Pop culture 1960’s Mondrian style. The variegated thread works so well with the quilt.