Cold and Sunny
For years I've been wanting to make a quilt block that looks like the sun. I found the pattern, Sunnyside, in Spotlight on Neutrals, Quilts and More for Any Decor by Pat Wys. Since I only make one large quilt every two years, making a full quilt for this blog hop wasn't an option, but I still wanted to try out the block.
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| Cold and Sunny |
I realise that I haven't pieced a new quilt block in months. I'm going to use that as my excuse for all of the effort this lovely took!
It's always tricky to pull apart the instructions for a large quilt and break it down to a single block. I managed to inverse the colours for one of the section, in the instructions that I wrote for myself. Then, as you can see, I sewed some of the pieces not in the right place. Oops!!!
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| Oops! |
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| Block is properly pieced with a velvet border |
The pieces weren't the only challenges. For this project, I used some hand-dyed fabrics by Elaine Quehl, a renown fibre artist. The yellow is simply stunning. For the blues, I had bought a Textile Temptation Pack that included dupioni silk and silk-rayon velvet, again all hand-dyed by Elaine. Making this blocks was difficult enough but adding these fabrics to the mix did not make it easier. However, I believe that the pain was worth it. I have the bluest blue that I could find with a bright happy yellow. What more can an art quilter ask for?
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| Ready to FMQ |
Free Motion Quilting (FMQ)
The good news is that FMQ on these fabrics was lovely.
I did a lot of research and finally used two of Leah Day's quilting designs for the sun - Gentle flame (#3) and Sun Medallion (#254) from her Free Motion Quilting Project.
I was considering putting flames in the blue dupioni silk fabric but thought that it might be too much. I'm glad that I decided to use wavy lines, like the heat shimmering from the sun.
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| Details of the Free Motion Quilting |
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| Cold and Sunny |
- I wish that I was the kind of person who could make a practice piece before tackling the final one. I have no doubt that it would result in a much better final product. Unfortunately, no matter how useful it would be, it's not likely to happen. The best that could happen is that I'll use this pattern for another, different project. Then, at least, I might apply the lessons I learned.
- Using different fabric would have made my life much easier, but these were perfect for this project...so I adapted!
- Until yesterday afternoon, I had no idea how I was going to finish this block. Finally I added two inch strips to the borders and just turned it under. The back is very messy and uneven, but the front is fine.
- I drew the FMQ pattern for the Sun Medallion several times, but I should have practiced quilting it. I just noticed that it's in Leah Day's advanced designs, so a little more practice would have been good.
- Spotlight on Neutrals, Quilts and More for Any Decor by Pat Wys
- Elaine Quehl and her hand-dyed fabrics
- Leah Day's Gentle flame design (#3)
- Leah Day's Sun Medallion (#254)
- The Winter Blues Blog Hop Schedule (for the 5 days)
Quilted Delights
Kathy's Kwilts and More
Farm Quilter
Homespun Hannah's Blog
Elizabeth Coughlin Designs
Quilting & Learning: What a Combo (You are here!)
Life in the Scrapatch
PamelaQuilts
Home Sewn By Us
Linking parties
Make sure to visit all of the other quilters participating in the blog hop. As well, I'll be linking up to many fun linking parties. Colour and Inspiration Tuesday, Monday Making,
Dione scored both cold and sunny for her Outback Weather Bingo with this project! Check it out at Colour and Inspiration Tuesday
I've linked this post up to Sarah Goer Quilts - Show Me Something with Solid.
Project details
Cold and Sunny
15" x 15"
Block from Sunnyside, in Spotlight on Neutrals, Quilts and More for Any Decor by Pat Wys
Techniques: piecing, free motion quilting
Materials: hand-dyed cotton, dupioni silk, cotton, velour by Elaine Quehl.
Project details
Cold and Sunny
15" x 15"
Block from Sunnyside, in Spotlight on Neutrals, Quilts and More for Any Decor by Pat Wys
Techniques: piecing, free motion quilting
Materials: hand-dyed cotton, dupioni silk, cotton, velour by Elaine Quehl.
I liked your reflections. It's always good to think about what we've learned from any experience. I like the finished block, but I think I'd also like to see the "wrong" sections on all 4 parts, because I think there's another stunning block lurking there!
ReplyDeleteHi Susan, I think that your correct - the "wrong" sections could make an interesting block - but not a sun :-)
DeleteThat way you'll invent new blocks for sure. Your block is beautiful, both the right and the wrong version.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much!
DeleteBoth blocks do look good. The yellow goes well with the blue.
ReplyDeleteThanks Danice, I wish that the sky was this colour right now!
DeleteA nice bit of sunshine to warm up the Winter! Your block quilt is lovely.
ReplyDeleteThanks Elizabeth. Sunshine is always a good thing, especially in winter!
DeleteI know that cold is relative but here in sunny Florida it was 35 degrees this morning so your beautiful piece of sunshine was a very welcome vision. Great job in combining the fabrics. I love the velvet borders, they seem to extend the warmth.
ReplyDeleteThank you! Yes weather is very relative but you might have those blues in your sky if the sun shines today. When it's sunny and cold in Ontario, it usually means really cold weather and a much lighter blue sky:-)
DeleteGreat job! Love the sun ray quilting.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Elizabeth. That was my favourite part of the process!
DeleteThis turned out so beautiful and your quilting looks great! Every time I make a quilt, I learn something new. I'm not much for practicing either, because I'm usually heading towards a deadline. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThanks Carol. Yes those deadlines don't help with the practice, but I also get bored easily - so perfection is not likely, but better fine than not done!
DeleteI think it looks great. You might revisit the block and place all the patches wrong like on the left side. That would be a stunning block.
ReplyDeleteThanks Denise. After everyone's same comment, I may have to try it!
Deletethe sun looks great!
ReplyDeleteThanks Karen - a little sun goes a long way :-)
DeleteThis is a great block and a terrific job quilting. We are all a little too hard on ourselves. I am glad I wasn't the only one finishing up the day before.
ReplyDeleteThanks Kathleen. I'm not sure that I've ever finished something way ahead of time. That's how I live dangerously :-)
DeleteThe sun looks bright and beautiful. I love your use of silk and velvet. Your quilting simply brings it to life.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Vasudha. I'm really happy with the outcome, even if it was a challenge to make...a great way to keep learning that's for sure!
DeleteGreat project, love your quilting!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Karrin!
DeleteYou are a girl after my own heart! LOL!! What's a practice piece anyway. I always say I'm going to...and never do. I just had to laugh at what you learned, because you must have been walking in my shoes. :-) What a beautiful project that came out of those lessons! One we can all learn from for sure.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Joan :-)
DeleteHi Andree! You are so hard on yourself! Who expects perfection?? I don't, your readers don't, your family and friends don't - so knock it off. You learned from the whole experience, right?! {{Hugs}} I don't mean to sound harsh or mean but I really think your piece looks perfect. I hope you are hanging it in your sewing space. The colors are so bright and vibrant plus it is inspiring. I love the quilting patterns you chose as well - perfect for the sun. I can just imagine the warmth from those rays. ~smile~ Roseanne
ReplyDeleteGreat project! We all can use a bit of sunshine in the middle of winter, especially in the colder areas. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteIt's a great bright sunny day with that quilt. So pretty.
ReplyDeleteYour project will definitely chase away the winter blues - well done!
ReplyDeleteThat little quilt is so bright and sunny! You did great, so don't beat yourself up. I love the rays radiating out! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteYour Sunny and Cold turned out beautifully!! I've found it a challenge to work with fabrics that aren't quilting cotton...they just don't behave in the way I have become accustomed, but they certainly make a beautiful difference in the finished product!! Love the quilting you did on it as well!
ReplyDeleteYour lovely bright sun certainly brings warmth to a chilly winters day.
ReplyDeleteYou did a super job! The sun is always shinning at your house ;-D
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun project. Thanks for sharing your process including the oops along the way.
ReplyDeleteI love that you learned so much from this project and I respect your bravery to be so honest about it. This is how we grow. Your quilting designs are great for the piece. Thank you for joining the Winter Blues Blog Hop!
ReplyDeleteIt's great to try something new and learn something at the same time. I love the blue and yellow together; it reminds me of winter with it's cold but many sunny days. The quilting designs were perfect, especially the flames.
ReplyDeleteLearning is 90% of the process. Finishing is the prize. You did it! I have a couple quilts that make me chuckle when I think of what I had to go thru to get them finished. Just makes them more special.
ReplyDeleteThis does look cold and sunny at the same time, much like our weather the past two days. Very nice quilting. Thanks for sharing in the hop ... :) Pat
ReplyDeleteThanks for taking part in the Hop!
ReplyDeletePerfect depiction for cold and sunny days.
ReplyDeleteWow! Those colors really shine! No matter how badly you might think you quilted something, there are always going to be those of us who think it is wonderful. Cuz it is!
ReplyDeleteStunning! I'm not one for practice blocks either, sometimes I wish I would have... Your quilting is beautiful on this, it really adds to the look of it. Well done!
ReplyDeleteMake a block if it turns out good, if not you did a practice block and you now have an orphan block for another project.
ReplyDeletewe all need a little sunshine on a wintery day:)
ReplyDeleteWhat a cheerful sunny block to brighten these winter days! You did a great job piecing the block, and your quilting is beautiful! Good job!
ReplyDeleteThanks Charlene. It was a challenge but totally worth it. It's time to add a hanging sleeve and label so that it can brighten up my winter :-)
DeleteI want to try this! Your project is so beautiful! I watched the video and was fascinated. Love the simple yet beautiful design. Thanks so much for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThere's a video? I'll have to look that up :-)
DeleteVery pretty! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sharon and thanks for dropping by.
DeleteWhat a bright and sunny block. Good for the blues.
ReplyDeleteThanks Theresa. It sure will brighten up this grey February day :-)
Delete