Belle of Kaffe's Parade - new quilt top

OK, totally cheesy title, but I couldn't quiet resist. Sue me. But the quilt is certainly not cheesy. I think it's more annatto ... "slightly peppery with a hint of nutmeg."

Pattern:  Kaffe Fassett's Parade from Quilts in the Sun
Fabric:  Amy Butler's Belle plus Kaffe's shot cotton for the sashing

This is pure stash-busting goodness; nothing new was purchased in the making of this quilt! Two weekends ago I was digging around my AB fabrics, musing about a patchwork tote bag, when this quilt just demanded to be made. Picked the fabrics quickly and started working last Monday. Thought I'd include the following photos because I know I like to get a peek into other people's creative process. This sounds a little silly after saying that, but I've struggled with sharing my own process on this blog. We all have our ways and I generally don't ask for input while I'm working. I often don't show my interim renditions even to family because, to be honest, I'm not taking votes. I like to let things percolate in a vacuum. So many self-deprecating places I could go with the vacuum/brain metaphor, but basically, I don't want to be influenced while I'm creating. And after, well, it's done so nothing to be gained from sharing options that were dismissed. Yep, I HATED group projects in school and still avoid committees like the plague. I'm not being at all snarky or sarcastic when I say I'm very thankful that many people are good in groups so I don't have to be.

Anyway, my creative process generally starts small with me kneeling on the floor with a couple of fabrics placed to one side while I dig for more. My fabric hiding place storage is in the armoire on the right. When the mood is right ideas start flowing and soon I'm tossing fabrics left and right to test the combinations. I often start "safe", then go looking for interesting outliers that will move it beyond matchy-matchy. I'm not so perverse that I eschew coordinating fabrics, but one goal is to keep it from feeling so balanced that it's bland. This quilt is going on our bed and that room needs some good, strong colors to dominate the room.

My fabric is sorted by general vibe and color, so I didn't realize the fabrics I ended up with were almost all from Amy's Belle group until I opened the fabric and started cutting. I'm perfectly willing to mix and match designers and lines, but this one just worked this way. I wanted big, loud, dramatic prints, very little white, minimal negative space, and this strong color mix of orange, blue, chartreuse and olive. That orange peacock fabric framed by a striped fabric was used in the book as the center of another pattern, but I wanted to use the Parade pattern because I've been thinking about a quilt with large prints and solid sashing, so I combined the two. Tested several colors of Kaffe's shot cotton, but this one took the lead immediately. What's interesting is that the cinnamon color is not actually matched in a single one of the fabrics I ended up using, but I think it holds the orangey, brighter fabrics together with the darker, earthier tones. Not too dark, not too light ... just right. I am well aware this is not a palette to everyone's taste, but boy is makes me happy.

Started cutting last Monday morning. Took a little planning because the pattern calls for a bunch of 5/8ths cuts and I only had 1/2 yard or less of most fabrics. Analyzed the pattern to get a feel for the weighting of the prints - how many big and small blocks of each fabric are used. Because I used more fabrics I was on my own from there, so after getting the measurements I didn't use the pattern again. By the end of the week I had this first version:

When we rearranged the living room I lost my mantel-as-design-wall, but it turns out I like this set up even better. Laundry pins clip the batting to the tops of the window cornices to make a workable, if temporary, quilt design wall. I've said this before, but it really is so much easier to design vertically.

I was pretty set on this layout, even to the point of taking it down in sewing order, but the next morning I looked at this photo and just didn't like the blue geometric pattern just below the right corner of the center medallion. It technically has the right colors and even had the cinnamon of the sashing, but it just stuck out as too sharp to me. Once I took it out, it's sister (bottom row, second from right) had to go too. Went back to my rejects and decided to jack up the yellow side of things by adding the blue/yellow eyelash fabric. For the other new blocks I sorted through my remaining scraps to pull in certain colors for balance. Rather than struggle to keep the layout with so many color changes I started over. You easily can see some of the additions in the photo below because I didn't add the sashing until I was sure about the changes. Took this photo at the end of the night then slept on it.

This is an example of a point when I don't ask for input, even from family. The fabric I took out was safe and the quilt would have been just fine with it. The one I put in is kind of loud and probably doesn't appeal to many people, but I like it. I wanted to brighten the overall design and provide a little tonic to the bigger motifs. Photographs flatten colors, but in person everything moves and blends nicely. In the morning I still liked it, so I cut more sashing and started joining the blocks.

Finished the quilt top over the weekend (OK, 12:15 AM on Monday) but I'm not ready for quilting yet. This baby is large - about 90" x 90", so I'm having to piece the back from several fabrics. The pattern's worked out but I'm still cutting and sewing. Planning simple stitch-in-the-ditch quilting with some free-motion in the middle.

When I have the free-motion foot on the machine I'll quilt the story block (upper right) I missed on the Funky Monkey quilt, but otherwise it's done. The chenille-it behaved as advertised and after washing fluffed up nicely. This is the third time I've tried to photograph this. Finally found some good spots for quilts that are big enough with bright, indirect light. I have to stand tiptoe on the edge of our squishy mattress to get the best angle, so if I fall and crack my knees it will be in the service of this blog.

Of course I still have my helpers, who waited until I was perfectly situated on a step stool before running in from stage right like sword fighters in a Shakespearean comedy to literally tear up the scenery.

Here's a quick update on a few other active projects:

Yo yo's are multiplying like tribbles (if only!) ...

Blocks are tumbling...

The geraniums are finally potted ...

 

Those poor geraniums sat neglected in nursery pots for months and months. Man those plants are tough! There's "limelight" licorice in there with them that will tumble down the sides in a few months. I've been grooving on the lime/chartreuse and red combo every time I go out the door.

Orchid fever has struck again! The tell me this guy, paphiopedilum pinocchio, is ever-blooming. Bought him back in February with one bloom and the other developed a week or two later. Apparently when the oldest one drops another will come on and you can already see another bud on the right stem.

Put it in this very cool pot weighted with beach stones, but I still fear for it's life between cats and kids.

The best light for it is also in the highest traffic spot in our house, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Comments

[--Deb]

Wow, you've been BUSY! Everything looks great--but especially that quilt. Gorgeous.

[Jody]

That quilt is just beautiful! I am always inspired when I look at one of your quilts. This one definitely is tempting me!

[Maria]

I'm with you on the group project and committee thing. I think I get the "worst mom" award at my kids school, because I'd rather stay home!

The quilt is fabulous. I love all the funky new lines that are coming out!

[jane]

I love this quilt, eslecially with the sun shining through. It reminds me of a beautiful stained glass church window.

[Christiane]

I love how it came out- the quilt-and devour in watching the progress.very inspiring!
I am not wild about groups either but this year I thought of a little bit more company and making friends, who when they are not living next door enlarge the horizon even more.
it looks as though I lent you my cats, I have a red and a black one, too.
And they love helping, which means licking one another's head and then start a little fight on the quilt layout;)

[Tracey]

Wow, and Wow. Your quilt is simply stunning and I love the way the color move and work together.

I like to post pictures of progress made on projects on my blog more for recording purposes than to gather input. I understand the vacuum process. I am the same way.

[beth]

Good heavens! You made a quilt in a week? And one so stunningly gorgeous! that is beautiful. Love the Tumbling Blocks also, Kaffe is a true inspiration. GRAT job - all the way around on your projects!

[Tami]

Wow, definitely a busy person. I like the quilt. It reminds me of tile flooring in the Mediterranean style. Very nice.

Yes, geraniums are the heartiest plants. Mine keep forgiving me when I forget to water them a lot. In fact I was thinking of getting more to plant in pots for the front yard. Cheers! :-)

[Anje]

I do love your guilt; it is absolutely beautiful! The colors are so well chosen....I think it will make your room a room you never want to leave...although your garden is a magical place too! We had a storm today with 1o degrees celsius, so looking at your geraniums made the sun come out! Thank you!

[Jolanda]

Wow! Kaffe Fasset will visit our city in autumn to open a exhibition about quilts. At this moments many women (and I hope also men) will make little quilts than will be one big giant quilt to cover a big tower in Leeuwarden (in Holland).
Kaffe Fasset will be there when the quilt will be released as kick off for the exhibition. It will be my first quilt ever.

[ellen]

Your blog just couldn't be more beautiful! Congrats on it all. I concur on the group thing. I like to sing in a group, but only because there is one director making all the decisions and I'm only responsible for knowing the music and singing my part well.

[Lauren]

The tumbling blocks are fabulous! Very, very neat stuff.

[michelle]

What does one post when they are rendered speechless? Thank you so much for that wonderful blast of color.

[Lisa]

I love that quilt, even though I didn't think I really liked Amy Butler fabric very much. Your blog is beautiful and I love to visit, so that is why I've given you the "You Make My Day" Award on my blog.
Thanks for the inspiration.
Lisa

[Lisa]

Thanks for saying nice things about my journals. I agree - I love the Yellow Farmhouse site too. I especially love her Christmas decorating.

Can I ask a question related to your blog? Your photos seem to be really good quality. What type of camera do you use? We are looking for a camera at the moment and finding the decision difficult because everything seems much the same.

cheers
Lisa

[Octopus Knits]

Love the quilts (and your fuzzy little quilt assistants), and that orchid is beautiful!

[Julia]

ohmigawd, I want that parade wuilt so bad I can't stand it. But if I get another job to pay for all the juicy hot fabric, I won't have the time to make it. Whaaa. Okay, maybe a baby quilt. hmmm? I really love the way the sashing works on that one.

[moni]

Absolutely gorgeous! Reminds me that I need to get cracking on a quilt top I have planned...

[corrie]

oh wow the quilt is just gorgeous!!!!! so are your other projects but the colours are just gorgeous!!!! well done

[Bobbie]

Your quilt is so beautiful, both the pattern and the colors. I usually visit for the knitting, and your writing, and your midwest origins now relocated to the sunny west coast. I have resisted the rebirth of quilting on the web and in my life, but your quilt has now got me wondering if I might change my mind.

[lily boot]

My goodness you are marvellously productive! I love the light coming through the quilt top and are you weaving your tumble blocks? And you're tagged! :-)

[Rhoda]

I absolutely love your site! Beautiful quilts! I was wondering if you might give me the contact info for Christine at your LQS. I'd like to get some instructions for her adaptation of the teacup quilt.