Sunday, September 22, 2013

Auditioning

My guess on Pam Buda's layout for her Nabby's Dowry QAL was pretty close. In fact, after my last post, I had played with the blocks a little more and had ended up putting that center block where Pam had hers. My other blocks are willy nilly though, because I am trying to get a balance with these bright blocks, if possible. If my design wall could talk it might tell you how dizzy it is getting from the frequency of rotation with these blocks as I play with my options.
Still not sure I've got it right, but I wanted to show you the lovely batik that had just arrived when I was in a LQS Friday. I had already seen Pam's layout, so I knew I needed setting triangles, and I thought this might be just the thing. What do you think? Does it overpower the blocks or compliment them?

I need more black batik for the other two sides, and if I decide to use the new fabric for the setting triangles, I am thinking I may use the new stuff for binding as well. This is very much out of my norm, I know, but I do love playing with the vibrant colors of batiks.

This week I whipped up my next Simply Charming Every Other Month Mini SAL flimsy (I'll link up to the appropriate month when the post becomes available). The green and gold 4-patch blocks were made with leftovers from all of the St. Patrick's Day stuff I made earlier this year. I wanted to use them in the Bits and Pieces pattern in Tara's book, and I wanted to give it a "Fall" feel by using other Fall colors in the sashing. I was searching for a good stripe in my stash, but the cupboards were bare, so I made my own.
Instead of the sashing cut at 3 1/2", I cut two strips at 1 1/2" and the center strips at 1". My sashing is 1/2" narrower than the pattern, but I thought making the brown or orange wider might make either of those colors too dominant. I think after quilting this one it will be bound with the same brown as the sashing.

Gidget and I had some quality time quilting up this little table topper for my sister-in-law. She chose the fabrics to match her kitchen and selected the design from the table toppers I showed her that I have made. She wanted hers a little smaller than my original, so I made this just over a foot square.
 I've never made feathers this small before--kind of challenging, but fun to do. If I could just turn in my eyes for a younger pair I wouldn't need to focus two Ott lights on the quilt when I use matching fabric and thread. Anyone else have that problem?
As I type I am listening to the wind and rain outside my open family room door. It sounds wonderful. Apologies to all those who have been experiencing flooding, but here in Northern Utah we have just endured the hottest summer on record, and in our little valley just below the Idaho border, it has been a very dry summer, too. So as I get ready for bed, I am singing away with Eddie Rabbit, "Well, I love a rainy night." : )

Until next time,
Janet O.

29 comments:

  1. Great playing with your Nabby Dowry blocks Janet...although I don't think Nabby Dowry is the right name for those vibrant batiks!! That purple is grea and also the black!!! Your striped solution is spot-on, great that you can continue to use your leftovers :-)You and gidget are going great, the topper for your sil is also a lovely piece. We had thunder/lightening storm for a good 3 hours last night - pretty wild time!!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love the setting batik for your QAL. It and the black really set off the blocks well. The sashing in the mini SAL looks great. And the quilting on the table topper for your SIL is gorgeous! I have never done such small feathers. It seems like I usually do feathers in larger areas. Good idea to be able to adapt them to all sizes as they are so pretty as well as fun to do.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I think your QAL just sparkles. It's kind of the like the birth of the universe, with God creating the stars. The black is perfect for the sashing in setting off the blocks, and I love your choice for the setting triangles. It has elements of all the colors, but doesn't overpower the starts. Can't wait to see how you quilt it!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I think you found the perfect fabric for your setting triangles - not overpowering at all, it's just right! Also a great job on making your own stripe. And those feathers are so cute - your quilting is really great!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I think your batik fabric is perfect! And your quilting on the little quilt is wonderful. I wish my eyes were younger too.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Very nice Janet...Your quilting is wonderful and...oh my, those feathers "wow"!!

    Hugs, Carolyn

    ReplyDelete
  7. That is PERFECT fabric for the setting pieces! That quilt just glows! I love it! And I those are sweet minis, too! Nice!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I love that batik for the triangles! Your version is fabulous. I really like the Simply Charming quilt, too. Piecing the "sashing" was a great idea. (I'm filing it away in the nether regions of my brain.) I just sent off two of the quilts I made from that book to my sister, so I need to get cracking and make some more.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Your batik blocks are amazing! I love them just the way you have them laid out, and those setting triangles are perfect with them! :0)

    ReplyDelete
  10. I am tossing in my two cents' worth too about the batiks---GORgeous. That fabric for the setting fabric is IMHO absolutely perfect. You do an amazing job, my friend. :) And your Fall quiltlet with the brown/orange stripe can just come hang out at my house, if you are out of space for it. ;D

    ReplyDelete
  11. LOVE these colors! Glad you made the right guess! If the blocks are in order they make that block the center. Congrats on great tiny feathers.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Ooooo girlfriend!!! I love your batik blocks!!! And the setting triangle fabric looks absolutely perfect from here :*) You really are playing outside of your box, aren't you? Good for you! Love your tiny feathers - so HARD to do those, but you did a wonderful job, as always :*D

    ReplyDelete
  13. Perfect complimentary batik for setting the blocks...yum!
    Congrats on guessing the layout!
    Your teeny tiny feathers are amazing and beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Absolutely PERFECT!!! and I'm no Batik expert - but your choices are awesome!!! Your minis are great!!! (As always!!!)

    Blessings and hugs!

    ReplyDelete
  15. I love your fabric choice in the batik quilt. The lights in the blocks balance with the setting triangles perfectly. Your feathers are adorable.

    ReplyDelete
  16. The batik seems to fit right in as if it were planned right from the very beginning. The whole layout has that stained glass "glowing" sort of feel to it, very attractive! I like the porportions that you have chosen for the orange stripe, too.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Love your Nabby quilt! I think the bright batik background is perfect. Also love your latest Simply Charming quilt!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Wowzie!!! That's a show stopper! So different to Pam's but the same?
    I love the fabric for the setting tri's, just perfect!
    We had a whopper of a storm on Saturday night too!

    ReplyDelete
  19. All SO beautiful! Love the brights. And we had our rain on Fri. here in N. TX. Having been thru the same thing you've been thru, right there with ya. The rain was glorious!!

    ReplyDelete
  20. I just LOVE your Nabby quilt. I love the fabric in the setting triangles.
    Gidget and you have really developed a lovely bond now. The feathers are perfect.
    Enjoy the rain, here we are over the rain, we want sunshine now.
    Take care.
    Julia ♥

    ReplyDelete
  21. Nabby QAL is awesome with settings you are questioning. It's like a surprise It's Your Birthday kind of quilt! Meaning...bright and cheerful! Now I'm absolutely drawn into others simply be ause they work in my own home decor!!!

    ReplyDelete
  22. love your 4 patch strippy!
    I have to figurines too :)

    ReplyDelete
  23. You have done it again, The Nappy quilt is beautiful, the background fabric you picked is perfect. From big feathers to tiny feathers, they are so lovely, you certainly got them down pat now. Just beautiful

    ReplyDelete
  24. The setting fabric is perfect! I love it and I'm not usually a big batik fan. LOL I think it will be perfect for the binding too. I also love your two minis too!

    ReplyDelete
  25. I didn't know it had been the hottest summer on record! Glad we survived it :)
    Love the Batik and love the home made stripe in the little quilt. V. will love the table topper!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Your batik project looks great with the setting fabric. Not sure I'd use it for the binding, but you'll know when you try it out. Gosh it sure does pick up all the colors. Those are some tiny feathers....wonderful work! Sandi

    ReplyDelete
  27. How the time flies!! I love the background for your Batiks quilts!! I think it picks up the colors but does not overwhelm the blocks!! And I LOVE the table topper for your SIL - she will too!! The quilting is amazing - sooooooo tiny and precise!! :-))

    ReplyDelete
  28. The black sashing and batik setting triangles definitly compliment your QAL. I should brighten up my stash. When my 6 yo grandaughter visits and we play "sewing" she can't find anything bright and fun on my shelves. Your quilting on the little SIL table topper is perfect and beautiful. A bright and light work area is a must for me too!

    ReplyDelete

I love to have your comments and feedback.