Singing the Blues
Singing the Blues might seem an odd name for a quilt, but I’ll explain why in a minute. Earlier this week, Sandra of mmmQuilts! released her Lilac Love quilt, a pattern designed in honor of her mom. Her quilt is a gorgeous mix of soft purples and greens with beautiful quilting.
Sandra is offering her Lilac Love pattern at 25% off until Saturday, and you can get it here. A few days later, she shared her Fall Flair quilt – the Lilac Love pattern, but a smaller size in beautiful fall fabrics.
Meanwhile, Rose (Something Rosemade) has made two versions of the Lilac Love quilt in smaller sizes. Her Christmas Cactus version, the smaller of the two, is a happy burst of Christmas fabrics, while her Summer Spin Star is just a bit larger and shows off some spicy summer/fall fabrics. Of course, I’m completely drawn to the “citronickle” in both Sandra’s Fall Flair and Rose’s Summer Spin Star.
Today it is my turn to show you my version of Sandra’s Lilac Love quilt. My version was made using the last of the Songbook fabrics (Fancy That Design House), which I used to make my Firm Foundation quilt. So since I am using leftover Songbook fabrics, and there is a bit of blue in my quilt, Singing the Blues seemed an appropriate name.
I enjoyed piecing the center block using the Songbook fabrics. I had varying sizes of fabric pieces, and no full WOF pieces, so I had to figure out what fabrics I had enough of to make what. It took a little thinking, but with a little creativity, I made it work. I was determined to get that citronickle-ish green fabric in there – it seemed only right to keep the citronickle theme going! I was amazed at how little fabric it took to construct the quilt. Sandra has made simple work of those HSTs and flying geese, so once they were done, the quilt top together went quickly.
The only fabric I added that was not Songbook is the Grunge in Blue Steel. It was at this point where I ran into a snag with the Songbook fabrics. I needed to add border strips, which took some thinking because I didn’t have any WOF strips, but I managed to eke out some strips from the two blue fabrics with a little piecing. However, I didn’t have enough Songbook fabric for the final border, and nothing in my stash worked. I decided to add the strip borders, because they were already sewn together and call it good. The addition of the lighter blue border brings a softness I wasn’t expecting, and I think it looks okay. After I had added the borders, I realized I should’ve sewn the strips on separately so the light blue didn’t have that “overhang”, but I decided to let it be. The quilt top measures approximately 33 inches.
The construction of this quilt top is very relaxing and fun. It would be a great pattern to bring to a retreat, or to work on if you have a day or two of uninterrupted sewing. It’s really fun to see how different the quilt depending on the fabrics used!
Both Sandra and Rose took some lovely outdoor photos of their quilts, but it was a very windy day here today, so I knew that would not be possible. I thought maybe a photo on my quilt room floor would jazz it up a bit, but . . .
Wilbs is working on the art of the quilt spiral while showing off his beautiful furs. Quilts on the floor are irresistable, and must be rearranged immediately! He clearly approves of the quilt, I think!
Singing the Blues doesn’t leave me blue, but happy that I had the joy of constructing this quilt. Grab your copy of the pattern while the discount is on – I look forward to seeing your version!
Wendy
To Do Tuesday
26 Comments
Barbara J Stanbro
That turned out so pretty. The fabric designs seem very elegant to me. Nicely done. And Wilbur…so talented.
Carol Andrews
Wendy Singing the Blues is beautiful. I really like your version of the borders. Wilbs rocks the quilt swirl to my way of thinking. Thanks for sharing your version of Sandra’s awesome pattern.
marissthequilter
Lovely precision piecing
Kate
Very pretty! The dark blue grunge really makes the rest of the fabrics sing. It’s nice to have a cat approved quilt, even if they do like to “fold” the quilt to their aesthetic.
texasquiltgal
I really like the Songbook line, but wow, the Grunge and the blues you added as borders really make it “sing” (not an intentional pun). A photo of Wilbs, especially when he is rearranging or inspecting your quilts, is better than any photo outdoors.
Diann@LittlePenguinQuilts
That is really pretty, Wendy! The combination of blues, a little red, and the citronickle green is so elegant. And everything is better with some Grunge in it, right?! Singing the Blues is a beauty!
Vicki in MN
You go Wilbs!! I really like the addition of the lighter blue in the border. Your border strips added a bit more character to an already pretty center.
Sandra Walker
It turned out just gorgeous Wendy! I love what you did and thank you fur showcasing my newest pattern so well!
The Morning Latte
I like how the dark blue really sets the blocks off / makes them pop. Beautiful fabric choices. I always think it’s kinda fun trying to make it all work with a small amount fabrics. Way to make ’em work!
Wilbs, Wilbs…!! smh.
Karen
I like that dark blue and the other colors you used. I hope the cat didn’t snag any fabric threads after all the work
laura bruno lilly
citronickle ain’t no fickle pickle that’s for sure! And I like your ‘mistake’ overlapping border…next time it will be intentional, right? 🙂
Rochelle Summers
I love seeing the different versions of Sandra’s quilts. Your “Singing the Blues” is lovely. I love the addition of the blue fabrics as borders. When you talk about using up scraps, you really mean it. Congratulations on such a great top. And thanks for a new photo of Wilbs.
Becky
Thank you for sharing all of these versions. “Singing the Blues” is so happy!
Eva
Sandras pattern are lovely and you did again a brilliant version. Love the collours! Wilbs appoved!
Thanks for sharing. Happy week-end!
The Joyful Quilter
Nicely done, Wendy! Wilbs makes it look super cozy.
Nancy @ Grace and Peace Quilting
The navy Grunge coordinates so well with your fun Songbook fabrics!!! Great quilt top, Wendy!!!
Tracie
Wendy, sticking with a blue border was a good call! Clearly Wilbs wants you to make him a cozy winter quilt for him to lie on while you sew.
Kathleen McCormick
The grunge is perfect with this line of fabrics. I love the additional blues you added, too! It is a fun pattern and looks so different with these fabrics! Hooray for another beautiful quilt and pattern from Sandra. I love Wilbur’s attempt to be helpful. Doing the fabric swirl is hard; I am sure he will purr-fect it!
Laura
I like the blue grunge, Wendy! I also like the borders…more interesting than if you had done them more traditional! 🙂
Quilting is in my Blood
Lovely quilt, and I especially like the photo of Wilbs working on his quilt spiral!
Diane Harris
These colors are beautiful!
Cocoa Quilts
Wendy this turned out beautiful. I love the grunge addition, it really sets things off.
Janine @ Rainbow Hare
This is a lovely quilt and it’s fun to see Wilbs photo bombing 😀
Cheryl R Parker
Great fabrics in your quilt.
aquilterstable
Really lovely and I know all about quilts on the floor and cats. 😉
tierneycreates: a fusion of textiles and smiles
That is beautiful, love your choice of fabrics for this quilt!