Thought I’d show you a little of my process on one of these projects that’s been sitting for a few months because I couldn’t decide how to finish.
I had a charm pack of this fabric collection from Tula Pink (can’t remember the name right now). One day I was needing some instant gratification sewing, so I grabbed this charm pack (5″ squares, one of each print in a collection of fabric). I thought this lime green complimented the bright colors, so I cut each block into four 2.5″ squares and made these green crosses in the middle.
Total impulse sewing, I had no plan. It was fun sewing these little guys together though!
The obvious choice is then to sash them. I did have enough of this green, but I knew that such a huge dose of lime green would be overpowering.
I really liked this bright lilac solid, although I only had a small piece. So I merrily started sewing these blocks together, telling myself I’d just order more of the purple.
I got as far as the photo above and ran out of fabric. The whole thing was shoved into the corner and I turned my attention to something more pressing.
Now we are four months later, and I’m trying to finish up a few of these cute but pesky piles. So why didn’t I just order more of the purple? Well, I had my finger on the purchase button a few times but for some reason I never did. One reason is that I’ve been making a real effort to use the fabric I have on hand. The other reason is that I had some niggling doubts about the purple.
Oh, it’s a perfect shade for these fabrics. It looks really good with them. But honestly, I knew this quilt would turn out really. really. purple. I knew I wouldn’t use such a purple quilt for a baby of mine, and not many other folks would either.
Time to get practical here! So I’m going to rip out that purple sashing and instead use a more neutral fabric that I have in my stash.
Here you see I’m trying out some Kona Snow (a creamy white). In the photo above is a light gray. Either one will work. I’m pretty sure I’ll use Kona Snow. It’s my go-to safe zone!
At this point, my prediction is that I’m not gonna love this quilt, either way. But I might surprise myself!
*Note* I have a feeling that some of you will cry, “Keep the Purple!”. I hear you:) If enough of you say that you would honest to goodness buy a bright purple quilt for your baby, I might reconsider!
I love the original colour combo! Keep the purple, I'd totally have one just like it for my baby. I find it annoying how everything is pastel blues or neutrals. I can't think of anything nicer than your purple and lime.
I like it better with a more neutral sashing myself.
I was going to add that I'm pretty sure that the purple will overpower the whole quilt.
i love the purple…maybe if you didn't feel like doing the whole quilt, then just keep that section purple…and maybe another section or two could also be a color and the rest be neutral. 🙂
The purple is definitely … Striking. I have to agree that I can't see myself buying or using a lime green and hot purple baby blanket. But, there are people who would, so if you're selling it, then maybe your filling a corner of the market that has been neglected?
I'd be switching to the neutral. Maybe have some purple crosses floating in the white, so you don't waste what you've cut. If you've got any green left that would look very cool. It'd still be bright, but a bit more user friendly.
E xx
Myself, and my 11 year old daughter both like the light grey with those beautiful blocks.
Keep the purple and add it into the rest of them with the neutral sashing…
I love the purple, but how about using the gray for the sashing and binding with the purple, although I suppose the purple will be no good for binding as it has been cut up, or maybe purple cornerstones with the grey sashing, that could look great.
How about black for a stained glass look…. but for a baby….. I guess not….. hmmmmm
Keep the purple or at the very least go with the grey. And I would totally buy a bright purple quilt for my baby. I'm a bold color lover 🙂
I like the one in the middle best. I love purple and lime green, but I think you're right that it's a tad overpowering.
How about purple binding…….
Purple and green are my two favorite colors and I have indeed made baby blankets with this palette and the moms both were thrilled with something different than the usual blankets they were getting.
The purple is nice, but i agree that it would be too much! I would go with the grey and then bind it in the purple 🙂 I'm sure whatever you choose will be gorgeous!
Maybe just the two rows of purple offset somehow within the rest of the blocks being sashed in white or gray?! Thanks for your thoughts on process. Im also currently "stuck" and it's nice to read how others work through their quilts
I like the purple binding idea!
I love the purple!
I'm not gonna say it! (But I have to whisper it..I love the purple o:) )
I prefer the lt gray over kona snow, it's closer to the feel of the original purple without the overwhelm
I like the light gray myself. It's a great project to vary from your go to solid and use another neutral. Best, Kate
I love the green, it was perfect. I prefer the light gray too – sorry don't like the purple.
The gray is my fave…
i love the purple and the lime. i say go for it. the kona snow is boring, so is the gray. i just love the purple!
What about random intermittent pops of the purple sashing to contrast with the grey or snow?
It's Tula Pink's Acacia – my favorite line of hers…until Foxfield that's now coming out. 🙂
I have a FQ pack of it then matching solids from Westwood Acres. I'm thinking a big plus quilt. I may do something like this with the scraps!
I would not get the purple!
I would use the purple here and there in the sashing (perhaps even throw in some pink in a similar shade and value) and sash with the neutral.
-way more interesting and way less purple!
I admit, I do like the purple best. Also, it's Tula Pink's Acacia line.
Love the blocks….and, yep, the purple is fabulous!! Don't go safe!
I love the Tula pink line but I think a little purple goes a long way. I made a whole purple quilt for my daughter with Tula pink birds and the bees and was never that in love with it. I like the grey better. Maybe some splashes of purple might me nice just not so much as the sashing. 🙂 I love all your color combinations so I say go with your gut because your quilts always look so beautiful 🙂
I think your blocks have beautiful colors that would really pop if you used the snow. Use the purple on the binding. It would look fabulous, trust me,
I don't like the purple either. I do like the gray better than the white though.
Purple and lime green are great! How about adding other solid colors from that fabric line? Add the blue, the copper, and the dark one?? White/grey are good but too common. Be Daring! I dare you! :0)
Wow, not a lot of consensus here. Good luck making a decision! 🙂
I love the grey! They blocks just pop off of that background!
I had to come and read the comments. I hope you left that much purple in and then used one of the neutrals but whatever you do will be lovely. I am not normally a fan of purple but I am working to embrace it more.
I vote for the grey!
I say, keep the little purple bit you already have sewn, maybe as a center strip or square. Then add the grey for the outer bits!
I'm with those who say keep the purple as is, and then do the rest in gray – I love the purple, and it would be a wonderfully whimsical addition to the quilt.
I like the idea of leaving the purple too, and then using grey or snow. But I do also like the idea of binding in purple if you have enough.
I would go with the grey. Very cute blocks.
I really like the grey! What if you added little squares of lime and purple in between the strips of grey sashing? Or even kept the purple sashing, made a small section of lime sashing, and then sashed the rest in grey? Or wait, is that totally crazy?. . .I'm not sure!
I definitely like the grey. It doesn't overwhelm the blocks quite like the purple. The little neon crosses give a nice pop of their own
Leave the purple. Put it in the middle and use grey on both sides…..love the blocks 🙂
Love the gray myself with a more sticking binding and maybe corner stones!
I went ahead and order the Tula Pink's fabric from the first photo. It is hard to decided what color, since each color will give different personality. Thinking you might have this quilt ready by now… I love to know what you finish up with~ Hope you March was great and I am making my third single girl quilt for my sister. It is a birthday gift for her; lots bright colors in this SGQ~ Have a nice day~ Chasex
The grey's nice, the Kona snow is nice, but when I look at what you've put together so far, it's magical…..