Saturday, June 5, 2010

Big and beautiful

I keep trying to make quilts with large blocks. The instant-gratification portion of my personality doesn't want to slave away on 6" or 8" blocks unless they are for a wall quilt (or unless I get suckered into it in a mystery quilt). But every time I make a 12" test block it looks clunky and unappealing and I end up resizing it, like "Stars Over Rouen".

But I fell in love with a pattern in "Schnibbles Times Two" called "Nice Day". The version made with a layer cake had 12" blocks. It had too many strikes against it. 12" blocks. Piano key border. Oversized subunits and setting triangles to be trimmed to size, all things I don't enjoy. I debated reducing the size of the blocks and cutting everything exactly. Still, I deliberated. Then, when I found the layer cake for Moda's "Cherish Nature" I had the fabric that would do justice to those large triangles and make the book's construction methods worthwhile.

The collection had such pretty patterns and colors it was a shame to cut it into small pieces that wouldn't display them to full advantage. Butterflies, honeybees, bird eggs! They had to be showcased.

So, without further ado, I give you my latest quilt top, called "A Nice Day For A Walk In The Park": Not to mention it's my favorite color combination in the whole world.
Even the backing is cool. Bird eggs!
This one is going to the longarm quilter next week. It's going to be my new favorite nap quilt.

5 comments:

*karendianne. said...

Well you did a GRRRREAT job with this and I love that backing, too. Girl, has anyone told you lately - you're talent is quite enjoyable? Just checking because I think you need to hear that!

Three Birds Inspired said...

Really gorgeous!

Linda said...

Oh, I love this....so cute! Makes me want to go out and buy me some of that fabric and I am on a no buy diet!!!

Elaine Adair said...

It's a lovely quilt, especially the robin-egg blue fabrics.

Mary Ellen Hopkins said when you have big blocks, or big units, you need to have the fabric do the talking - I'll always remember that piece of good advice -- looks like you did also, on this lovely piece. 8-)))

Anne Ida said...

Oh, I just clicked the link on your Friday post, and have to say this quilt is GORGEOUS!!!It is so vibrant! And that egg-fabric for the back is so cute!

I have been drooling over the pattern in the book, and have planned a combination of some japanese fabrics and a Blackbird layer cake - maybe I need to re-think..?