I love the drastic transformation a quilt can make with just a simple fabric change. Dark backgrounds can give such a dramatic look, and my favorite go-to background that I seem to grab over and over again is my Essex Linen. These rich chocolate tones really make those brights pop, don't you think?
Don't you just love those kill-two-birds-with-one-stone projects? I wanted to work up a second colorway option for my Tiptoe Through The Tulips quilt pattern, which is to be released on March 15th, and still have something that I could use in my living room. I think this red chair is the most photographed piece of furniture in my house.
I'm not just finishing projects for my house, but hitting my goals list pretty hard for this year. Part of my general/ongoing goals has been to stretch myself with more free motion quilting practice. I thought that these wandering leaves were fitting to my pattern, and something different from the swirls I used for my last FMQ project.
Next up on my list will be the binding on my biggest quilt ever for my fourth finish so far! A king size quilt is a pretty big milestone for me.
Be sure to check out what my busy pattern testers have been working on so far under the #tiptoethroughthetulipsquilt hastag on Instagram... and again, be looking for the pattern release on March 15th!
Linking up this week to Let's Bee Social and Finish-A-Long 2017
This week has been more about cutting to prepare for my upcoming Denmark sewing retreat than it has been about sewing. Even though I understand the benefit of time saving when you cut, sew, and iron all at once, etc., the reality of it is that I have never cut all the fabric needed for a quilt all at one time. I'm so tempted to stop in between and stitch up a block before cutting some more, but I suppose that would leave me with having nothing to work on during our trip.
I'm nearing the finish line for completing the quilt top for my second pattern, and I wanted to whip up a smaller project in second colorway. I keep grabbing for this essex linen over and over again, and why not? Another project that will land in my living room once it's finished!
This past week, I joined in on the #missingmarket fun on Instagram sponsored by @gogokim and @thesewingloft. One of the topics of the "party" was to share our #longestWIPever. Wheh... what a scary topic?!?
When I pulled out these Anna Maria Horner blocks that I started aeons ago with no real plan, I was inspired to figure out some kind of layout for them and get them together. Since I'm not as thrilled about this project anymore, and I don't really want to make more blocks, so I thought I would add some simple Basic Grey grunges to pull out the color in the blocks.
I'm really not sure if I am biting off more than I can chew, but I usually like to have at least on "basket project" in the works, and when I got the latest issue of Love Quilting and Patchwork, I knew this project from Minkikim had to make it in my basket. Her sweet applique projects are just adorable, and I love all the attention to detail.
I'm really excited to see how much I can get done on this retreat... everyone always seems to overpack, but if nothing else, then I'll be ready to just sit down and sew once I get back.
Linking up with Let's Bee Social.
