I have a random post today! A couple of different things I want to mention… First of all, Blurb has a 20% off all books sale right now. So if you haven’t bought my book yet, now is a good time! Of course, it’s available on Amazon as well, but if you’ve read my previous blog posts you know that I slightly prefer the quality of the printing on the Blurb book so here’s your chance to get my book at a lower price.
Bramble Blooms Quilt top is complete and I’m really loving it! Here we have a quilt that I would NEVER have come up with on my own. So a huge thanks to Linda of Quiltyfolk for this quilt challenge that was/is just exactly right for me! I’m so excited and can’t wait for the next quilt as she has hinted that there will be two more quilts in the challenge. The outer border prompt was patchwork squares. I was so happy when I read that, because that is well within my comfort zone and I right away pictured something like this with a color gradient using all the original stack of fabric.
Just a word about using color gradient in quilts. Or you could also say in rainbow order, but a fabric stack does not always include all the colors of the rainbow, so I prefer the term color gradient. (excuse me, I’m not expert). Anyways, I find this way of ordering colors to be so effective and beautiful again and again. Here’s how to do it. Take all your fabrics that you’re using and lay them out starting with pinks, then reds, oranges and so on in ROYGBIV order. This is not a science that you must overthink. It’s also something that gets easier with practice. Some fabrics can be tricky and I don’t always know where they should go. Whites, blacks, grays and browns are quite tricky. I usually put them where I think they blend best. I don’t worry too much about light and darkness of fabrics when doing this, I rather go by the colors. The colors going from light to dark is part of what keeps it interesting.
To make these patchwork squares like this quilt, I divide the above stack in half and then take the top one from each stack to make my patchwork block. Then I take the next one off of each stack for the next block and so on. Once I get to the end, I’ll start again. Sometimes though, I’ll alternate or take one fabric out so that the two fabrics combined in a block aren’t the same again. There’s so much wiggle room in this method, you can trade quite a few fabric around, but as long as you keep to the basic color gradient it will give that lovely color wash effect.
Now let’s analyze the whole quilt top bit. The center appliqué scallops should have been spaced differently. The hollyhock doesn’t quite stand out enough. I wish the appliqué shapes on the second border were more prominent.
These are just a couple things that are not ‘perfect’ but overall I’m SO happy with this quilt. It makes me happy to look at, the colors are just so delicious and it feels like such a happy accident since I didn’t really plan this color scheme.
I think this one will need to get some special hand quilting treatment… I wish hand quilting didn’t take so long!
And now just a word on the Sampler Quilt, which will be heading towards its new home tomorrow! I was blown away by all your comments and truly had such a hard time deciding! After thinking about it for days and days, I decided to send it to Marie, who recently lost her granddaughter. And then I thought here I have all these quilts from my book that I’m planning to sell eventually, but here I have all these commenters that I wish I could send quilts to (each one of you actually!). So why not give a few more of those quilts to some of you. It might not make sense to some people, but it feels like an embarrassment of riches to me to have a list of people who would truly like a quilt. So a few more of you will be getting an email giving you the option to choose one of my other available quilts.
I am just loving your thought processes. Thank you so much for sharing.
Thanks for sharing the colour gradient advice. It’s always interesting to read how you get from point A to point B in your process.
Your generosity as a quilter is inspiring. I too make quilts and along with a friend and my sister-in-law we use my longarm to quilt them. My SIL makes it a point to let her granddaughters get first dibs on her quilts. I’ve been sharing with my friend that she could put her quilts throughout her home and when her son and family visit if any of them show interest she can gift them quilts. One of my sons has asked me to “duplicate” a quilt for him that I have listed in my shop, I tell him to take the one that is done. It seems to amaze folks that we as quilters are happy to gift our quilts. There is a guilt to having an abundance of quilts in our homes just sitting there. I’m sure Marie will be touched by your kind generosity.
I am sure delighted!
Sharing your decisions about this quilt is so interesting, thank you!
Your processes with color and placement are so helpful, and I actually study your quilts, along with the tips you have given us.
Marie does sound like a deserving recipient of your quilt. I’m sure she will be delighted by it, and I just know that all of us hope it brings comfort.
looking forward
I also like to gift my quilts, especially if friends or visitors show an interest in one in particular. It is very generous of you to share yours with complete strangers. But as they say, they are not strangers, just friends we haven’t got to know yet. Greetings from Australia
#1 I’m glad I didn’t wait for the book to go on sale. It’s worth every penny! 🥰
#2 Love your Bramble Blooms quilt! 😍
#3 You are such a sweet, generous person!!! ❤️
Bramble Blooms is Adorable!! You have a generous heart and much love and comfort to Marie
Another beautiful quilt finish. I was not familiar with Quilty Folk before you started this quilt. I’ve enjoyed reading her blog and seeing the quilt you create with the prompts. Happy hand quilting:)
I picked up on a gradient in your quilt but could not figure out the process. Thank you the explanation. Your fabric choices are always so interesting and unique.
What a wonderful start to my day!
That should read “Thank you FOR the explanation”!!!!
Jolene! My jaw dropped when you said you were giving away more quilts from your book. How completely generous of you. There are some truly lovely quilts in that book, quilts I would happily have in my home. What a treasure you’re sharing! I really love the two quilts you made that I’m lucky enough to own. I didn’t actually enter that giveaway because I already have some of your quilts and wanted that one to go to someone who didn’t. It makes me so happy to know you’re sending out more. This is true generosity. I completely understand you wanting them to go to loving and accepting homes. Your thoughts on gifting quilts resonated with me. I give away very few for the reasons a you stated. And the way you sell them at nearly giveaway prices so they will go to homes that want quilts is very special too.
Thanks for sharing your method for making the gradient pairs! So helpful. I’m going to have to try that as I e never done a gradient before.
Another lovely quilt! Thank you for sharing your very helpful color gradient process.
I too, gift many of the quilts I make. There is something special about giving with a heart filled with gratitude for all you have.
I just love learning on how others do things! Thank you. I enjoy seeing your choice of fabrics. Also, so generous for you to give away your quilts from the book. It is so appreciated to hear from you every time you have a blog post.
Another great quilt. I thank you for the way you put the color gradient together and could see it in some of your other quilts. Thank you so much!
Your heart is just overflowing!!! ❤️
Cannot imagine losing a grandchild or a child!
Thank you for the tip on using the gradient idea. Love studying your fabric & color choices.
The philosophy that has resonated with my life is that quilts should be gifted & used with love!!! 🌷
WOW i am so impressed with your BB1!! It came out beautifully–nice work hugs, Julierose
aka–still stuck!!! hahaha
Thanks so much for adding your beautiful quilt to the link party! It has such a gorgeous, happy vibe. Love what you do with color and fabric!:)
Your quilt turned out beautifully! I love the colors and fabrics you’ve chosen. And your book has been tempting me for weeks now. Perhaps the kitties will get it for me for mother’s day?