This quilt’s color palette was inspired by a page from a Dr. Suess book. Read about it here. It’s been a long time in the making, but it’s finally done.
In some ways it didn’t turn out the way I envisioned it, but it’s still a soft and pretty quilt!
If you look at the photo of the whole quilt, you’ll see that the top and left sides, as well as the top left corner, fade to lighter colors. This was my original idea, and it worked (sort of) in the end. I think I gave up on this quilt and didn’t want to make it bigger. A larger quilt would allow for more color blending and give the look I was imagining.
Sometimes though, I just have to be realistic and move on to the next project(s)!
It ended up being a nice throw size, with misc. greens and blues on the back.
By the way, thanks for all your feedback on my geese quilt in progress! As you may have noticed, I’ve been lacking inspiration with quilting over the last six months. I used to always have oodles of ideas, and now it feels like every quilt I’ve finished or am working on is just blah…
I know there have been many factors involved, but I hope I can get some direction back soon! The other day I had the thought that maybe right now is the time to just make quilts from patterns for a while. Maybe even just use one fabric collection in a quilt.
If I’m getting bogged down by overthinking my decisions, then I just need to forget about my own ideas for a while!
This is a beautiful quilt! It may not have turned out as you imagined, but it's gorgeous nonetheless. I love color placements, the fabrics and the curvy, loopy line quilting you did on it. By the way, "blah" isn't a word I would ever use to describe your work, which is very inspirational to me!
Such a beautiful quilt! Don't get discouraged, please! I can relate to you (even I'm not a quilt designer yet (!) I know we can easily get overwhelmed seeing a lot of very talented people producing quilts and patterns all the time. It's a lot of fabric collections being released every week… It's just a lot of everything. Relax and have fun! New ideas will pop up in a blink! I truly enjoy reading your blog and seeing your work! Good luck!
I was looking at the photos when I opened your blog and thinking how soft and pretty it looked, and then you used those same words. It truly does look so soft and pretty, you should be quite pleased with it. I adore it! Beautiful!
Beautiful colors, looks so peaceful, gorgeous.
This quilt is beautiful- even the size that it is. So pretty.
I still love the colors in this quilt! and the triangles swimming like fish in the pool…
The colors are so great! I love it. And the quilting is a nice touch too.
Really lovely, so soft and inviting without being boring. 🙂
I love it. Love this color palette and love the fading at the edges. I also love that you are willing to stop a project and move on. It's so hard to do that sometimes, but so important! ~Angela~
Your quilt is beautiful, I want to dive in!! The colour palette is so pretty. I'm sorry to hear you've been lacking inspiration lately! I (selfishly) hope you come up with a solution! Maybe some quick projects?
I saw this and immediately loved it – one of my favorites you've made! I scrolled down slowly, wondering to myself how someone comes up with such a lovely combination and design, trying to learn from what I saw as a masterpiece. I was surprised you didn't love it too, but can empathize totally with something not turning out like the vision that was in my head. In quilting and in life! Thank you so much for sharing, and I hope you find the project you are looking for soon. 🙂
I think we are often our own worst critic. Everyone has doubts and fears, but don't let those hamper your creativity. I think many people would be envious of your abilities as an artist. I find most of your quilts to be quite stunning, and this quilt is no exception. Please continue to share your beautiful quilts, even if they are not what you had hoped them to be. Some of us find our own inspiration and creativity through your work.
Such a cute quilt! I love that it is Dr. Seuss inspired. 😉 -Brittany
I've loved it since the first photos. It's lovely.
well, that's a long awaited finish! so what if it didn't end up as big. it's still a very nice quilt. it looks like schools of fish swimming around in those blues and greens. i think that's what you were going for. =)
been reading your archives just for fun lately. so much good stuff to see!
My little boy and I often read McElligot's Pool, it's one of our favourites. I love that book and love your quilt!
I feel JUST the same about quilting at the moment and funnily enough I've gone back to my trusty HSTs to try and break my creative block. Hope it works!
I just love your quilt, color palette, layout, quilting and gorgeous pictures . You inspire me so much. The mix of casual, random mixed with simplicity and beautiful colors / fabric that I think you do so well. Another quilt of yours that I would love to make a version of. I also like to hear about your philosophy and process. Can relate to much of it. Thank you for kindly sharing so much talent with us!
; )
as usual this is a gorgeous quilt. the colours are amazing – such a soft feel to it.
this is gorgeous! and be easy on yourself- we all go through those moments that are less than inspiring. i can certainly relate! i find if i give myself enough space to just be, it comes back around.
It's perfect… every single thing about it is perfect!
What a beautiful quilt. I love the way you blended to colors
So much quilty love coming your way, hope it helps with your temporary creative funk. I am in a quilt group where everyone else picks ther own fabrics, creates their own designs. I buy fabric bundles and usually makes things I have seen because I know I will like it. I just enjoy the process and the end result. Never stop sewing.
It's a beautiful quilt! I understand about being in a creative funk. Last year I didn't sew almost at all because of different things going on in my life that were overwhelming me. I just didn't feel inspired at all. I just accepted it and rode it out, and my inspiration did come back, and so will yours! Just don't put too much pressure on yourself! I know that you inspire so many others with your talent and creative flair, including me! Hang in there. 🙂
I've been following this quilt since you pulled the fabrics together. It is gorgeous. Good job on persevering. It was worth the effort!!!
Your creative malaise does not show through in the least. This quilt has a lovely quality–it feels cohesive but not over-thought. I may not have noticed the color fade but I immediately felt that there was a pleasing movement in the design. Totally beautiful quilt!
I'm happy that you listened to your heart and stopped. It's lovely as it is.
This is my favoritest ever!!! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE! Certainly can't tell you're in a slump by the looks of this one 🙂
I love it, as I usually do with anything you make! You always inspire….. thank you!
There is nothing blah about your quilt, it's beautiful….your quilts are an inspiration!
So lovely, absolutely beautiful!! Can I purchase it??? lol! I love it! I'd like to make one, do you have a rundown on the fabrics used? are the turquoise triangles solid? thank you so much!!
Your quilt is exquisite! I love it especially after seeing your post that shows the Seuss book illustration that inspired you. Very effective interpretation using color, value, movement etc. I also appreciate seeing the photos that show your quilt up close and noticing fabrics from different lines that all work wonderfully together.
I love this quilt it looks just like the picture in the book! Definitely not Blah! I love your quilts because the colour combinations are so soft and beautiful and way more interesting than using one collection. You have inspired me to look out for softer fabrics for my stash because I love your quilts so much 🙂 Thanks for sharing.
It's a lovely quilt. I remember reading about the inspiration before. I absolutely love the quilting you did.
Molly::applecyder
Hooray for you….Love this quilt. I want to make a triangle quilt….and yours is so inspiring. Love the pallet….and tribute to dear Dr. Seuss ! Thanks so much for sharing your work.
Love this quilt – the colours are fabulous, and to my eye does look like a pool. Hope your mojo returns soon. I think you're right in playing with patterns for a while – I'm sure that will help. Fingers crossed!
Your words are the same as some thoughts I have had with the last couple of quilts I started. One I like but not love. It was an experiment to use colors that I normally don't and to also be a little more relaxed with both design and fabrics. It started as a 4×6 grid of blocks and has grown to 7×9. OMG. The other quilt is going great…except…there seems to always be more decisions about how big, where to put the various colors, should I add another color…what about borders. You want to make the perfect quilt but sometimes…like you said…you just need to finish it so you can move ahead to another project. Micki@2dogsstudio.us
Lovely, looks like a school of fish to me at first glance.
I have to say…been thinking about your colour combination all weekend…it's just a great quilt!! Gentle and yet very eye catching, Linda NZ
I adore this! And to know that it was inspired by Dr. Seuss ( how did I miss that!) can't be all wrong, as far as finding your inspiration again goes!! It's been a long winter. I've just given myself permission to sew some really simple designs for the time being, to get that feeling of finishing, and lighten the load while the well refills. We're pulling for you!!
Oh my, I have loved each of the quilts you've made in the past months. Don't be discouraged! This quilt, just like the others hits that lovely vintage feel you have mastered. Maybe you're just so good at it, it feels boring and old hat. I love the colors and the little triangles. And I love that it came from that Dr. Seuss book. We have that one at home 🙂
I love this quilt! Any chance you will write up a tutorial?!
I'm with everyone else who loves this, Jolene. Your color play is gorgeous, so nuanced. There's nothing ho-hum about it. That said, it's frustrating when our head and heart aren't as pleased as they can be. We miss the rush of "YES!" when we have that great finish feeling. I think your ideas to mix things up are probably a good idea. Just doing something different!
BTW, do you have an all-white room to photograph in? That's awesome. Even the white floor does so much for the photos.
What a cute quilt
The whole time my son and I watched Horton Hears a Who at the free movies a couple summers ago, I kept thinking- these colors would make a beautiful quilt. Minty green, pale orange, gray, pink and a little purple. Yay for Dr. Seuss inspiration!
Beautiful quilt! I know of a new baby that might love a quilt like this. Thanks for the inspiration!