FYI – {Swoon} refers to a quilt pattern designed by Camille of Thimbleblossoms. It’s a stunning quilt with nine super huge blocks. The quilt ends up being about a queen size, so you can imagine how big each block is!
So here’s the wildly interesting tale of my journey in making this quilt pattern!
I remember when Camille first showed off this new pattern of hers last year. I’ve been a huge fan of her patterns for a long time, so when I saw this one I thought it was nice but not on my ‘must-make’ list.
Fast forward about a year, and I came upon this wonderful quilt! And instantly I knew I’d be making a quilt in this pattern.
About this time, Kati started a quiltalong for people making this quilt, so in my newly ‘swoon-struck’ phaze, I joined in.
Not one to wait around when some new inspiration strikes, I pulled my stack of fabrics together and started sewing. The background fabric I chose was just a random solid I had in my stash. I only had about a yard of it, but I really loved the natural creamy bone color of it.
Think ahead much, Mrs. BlueElephant?
Apparently not. Since this pattern clearly calls for something like 4 or 5 yards of background fabric, I was just excited to start! I made two blocks and loved them! Actually really enjoyed the whole process cause I was just racing through all those pieces to see what it would look like when it was all put together.
But ya, for some crazy reason I ran out of background fabric after two blocks. Whaaaat??! So no biggie, right? I was pretty sure it was Kona Bone that I was using. I compared it to my color chart and it seemed about right, although i did have a tiny niggling doubt.
So I ordered 5 yards (from MadAboutPatchwork which is a great Canadian shop for solids and basics) and when it arrived it was SO not the right color. Just different enough to be terribly wrong. Well, that was ok since I never have too much of these neutral colors.
I did some sleuthing around and looking at other folks comparison photos, and finally decided it must be Bella Natural. So I order 5 yards of that from a different store. And waited two more weeks. And… you guessed it! NOT the right color again! Closer, but still just off enough that I’m afraid it will look terrible.
So, I may have to use these two blocks for something else and start all over. But whatever the case, I’ve learned another valuable life lesson! Never assume that one yard will magically become five yards or that you’ll have no problem finding a perfect match for some random fabric in your stash!
And once I get a few more of these blocks made, I want to write a post talking about why and how I think this block and quilt work so well, and the role colors and values play in the blocks. (just my opinions of course)
Such a bummer, but totally something I have done! So last year I invested in a Kona color card and was gifted a Bella one. They come in pretty handy!
maybe you can use them on the back?
i love that blue fabric with butterflies in your second block!!
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Beautiful! And YAY to Canadian shops! (I missed one of the a's in 'Canadian' in my first comment and had to do a do-over) 🙂
Bummer indeed! Such a shame, your blocks are gorgeous! You might have ordered the right fabric, but every bolt can be different in colour due to the paint bath. How do I know, well I also thought 1,5 meter would miracously change into 4 and when I ordered the right fabric at my LQS, the new bolt of fabric was totally different.
Ive learned that lesson too. I just made due and made half the blocks with one background and the other half with the other background. The blocks were much smaller so it didn't stick out as much. 🙂 🙂
At least you're stocked for other projects. Right? 🙂
Could these be the pillows and you choose another neutral you like?
Oh, dear! Well, I know you'll use all that bone-ish fabric eventually. Darn though. And, by the by, I really like that monet-like fabric in your first block. Very pretty.
Oh, no! It's starting out nicely, though!
I found your blog very recently (yesterday). I love your quilts — I have been a little "stuck" lately and you gave me the motivation I needed to get moving again! Thanks.
I saw the Swoon pattern on Camille's blog last year and I have been "swooning" ever since. I'm anxious to see how yours turns out. And, by the way, I can't tell you how many times I have had the same oops! moment when I was SURE I was buying the exact color I needed. Life's little lessons — they always turn out to be positive somehow!
Have a good day.
Nancy
This would be something that I would do too! What a bummer. Hopefully you can figure it out soon.
Oh, no! That is something that would happen to me. Of the two blocks, the first is my favorite. I'm looking forward to seeing what you use them for if you can't find the match to your fabric. Sometimes these "oops" moments turn into something awesome!
Oh dear! At least so far you have two incredible blocks to do something really wonderful with and knowing you, that won't be too hard.
This has happened to me! Third time was a charm for me. (It was a Kona vs Bella situation – 2 fabrics, same name!)
Just think of all the lovely background fabric you now have in your stash!
You could make a pillow or use the two squares in a pieced backing for your quilt? Your swoon quilt will be beautiful!
So True! Been There!
Oh my goodness, thats my Swoon:) I'm tickled, way to start a girls day off the right way! Thats a real bummer about the bone/ivory. I had something similar happen with two different dye lots of Kona Coal, fortunately, its only evident in pictures so no biggie. I really like that first one, I love those Japanese prints. I can't wait to see your finished Swoon! I am so in love with the granny squares btw. I wish my husband was off so I could sew allllll day!
<3
ale
i have done that too; thinking you will magically have enough. Pretty blocks!!
The squares look good! Thanks for all the links. Been wondering where's the best place to buy quilt batting here in rural Alberta?
Dang I hate that. People far more organized than I take the time to write the fabric's name on the selvedge. I only do it sporadically, though.
After seeing your photos on flickr I just love both blocks! Sorry that you got the wrong colors!
I wonder what would happen if you used about six different neutrals for backgrounds in the same quilt–would they add a lot of interest? I would give it a try. Usually more fabrics equals more pizzazz.
Wow, your blocks look amazing. I enjoyed reading your story of wrong neutrals so much. I also tend to hope that a small amount of fabric will somehow magically multiply and I'll have enough for the project. I hope you find the right neutral soon, good luck!
you should just make a couple of pillows out of these blocks or use them in the back. I totally understand why you wouldn't want to put them on the front when you're using a different background color for the rest though. Good luck!
Love the blocks … too bad about the fabric matching though. (and thank you for the shout out!)
I'm very tempted to try the swoon quilt pattern, I'm fairly new to quilting blogs and have also just seen the made in cherry quilt that is a must on my to- do list. I've been buying fabric from a US store for probably close to 6 years now, their Kona solids are priced at $5.49 and they call themselves home of half price shipping – thus it's just gone up to $8.50 for up to 9 yards to the UK. They also have a fabulous sale section, so be warned! (I didn't tell you this either, but they always mark their parcels as value $20 so they never get stopped by customs.)http://www.fabricshack.com/
I keep nagging them for a button I can put on my blog but they haven't got their yet!
Bad luck with the cream/bone, but your blocks look wonderful.
Love your little blog Blue Elephant, I added your bloggy to my blog roll. Can't wait to see what your working on next!
I did that exact same thing with my Swoon quilt http://www.flickr.com/photos/bubbabean/6108677027/in/photostream Learned a lesson about buying enough fabric to "finish"!!
Oh, the sorry tale of a scrap quilter!! You can make two super baby quilts!! I want to just 'try' the block, and that's what I'm going to do with mine. I'm collecting quilts for the NICU at the military hospital in San Antonio. I work a lot with muslin in my scrap quilting adventures, and no muslin is the same color, either!!
I get this…
LOLOL! I did the same thing you did with your neutral with Blue Quilter's Linen. I wound up with yards and yards of different blues trying to match the blue in the quilt I was making. I also have a bad habit of thinking my fabric will grow to meet my needs (and always wind up having to scramble and order more – oh, the shipping charges – ha ha!)
Hey, love your blog. Why not use these two blocks to make a pieced back for the quilt? No one is going to look at the neutral colour on the front and say "hang on a minute….. that's a different colour!!" no they're not….. Your blocks look ace.