Labor Day weekend sewing




Not having any plans for the Labor Day holiday weekend, I was looking forward to spending some time at my much-neglected sewing machine. First on the list, and the *only* sewing project I worked on, was this 'improvisational' quilt that I had started last month. Using the intuitive piecing style a la Gwen Marston, I had put together the above center medallion, and then added the right-hand strips and bordered it in the dark gray. So far, so good......but I wanted to take the idea further. This quilt project is inspired by some great July views on my favorite golf course in northern Michigan.
I used the color palate of the cobalt blue sky, green trees (from chartreuse to forest green), the grays of the birch tree trunks, and the orange and black of the monarch butterflies flitting across the fairways. I also chose to limit myself to use only solid fabrics. I did not sketch an idea, but rather just pieced my way along at will. Boy, do I enjoy this unstructured way of sewing for a change! Of course, I have Gwen Marston to thank for forging the way: no templates, little measuring.......very intuitive!
Using Gwen's instructions in her Liberated Quiltmaking II book, I then went forward with the modified blunt end sawtooth border:



Some close-ups of my little log-cabin blocks:


And the little 'niblets' that I love to place in the borders :



Working in this way without a 'map', it's hard to know when to stop. But I really think the quilt has a way of saying 'enough'!


Machine quilting will be the next step, and I really look forward to that. It's when I believe the quilt really begins to get some personality!









Comments

  1. Patty. This is really really wonderful. The colours are sublime. Huge congrats.

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  2. Lovely color and balance. I really like it!

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  3. gorgeous. And I think you found just the right moment to stop :-)
    It looks perfect

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  4. Wonderful piece. I love your colors.

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  5. Oh, I love this. This is just where I want to be.

    glen

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  6. That is one beautiful, inspiring piece of art that you have created. I just adore it. Can't wait to see more from you!

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