It all starts with. . .

The idea for a quilt design can come from a number of different sources, a photo of a quilt, colours in nature, sketches in a notebook or a published pattern to name a few. I rarely follow a published pattern, but am very inspired by traditional patchwork patterns. And although my home is decorated in very country cabin colours (think earthy tones), I love the new colours and fabrics I find at my local quilt shop and online.

It's always exciting then, when I get a request for a custom quilt. It allows me a chance to play with colours that I may not normally use and maybe a quilt pattern that I haven't done before.  I have 3 custom quilts to make for a family. One baby quilt for the new baby expected in the fall, and two twin bed quilts for the little boy and girl who will be moving into the same room to make room for the baby.

Here's a few of the colours I am working with right now:

for the baby's quilt

for the little girl's quilt

for the little boy's quilt

Some of the fabrics selected will stay right through to the end of the process, but some will not. When working with a custom design long distance, paint chips are a great way to communicate what colours are desired.

I'll be sharing photos of this quilting project over the next few weeks, so you can feel like you are in my sewing room with me!

--Ann

Different Colours, Same Quilt Pattern

One of the things I like about going to a quilt show or to a quilt class is to see how different quilters interpret a quilt pattern with different colours. Here's a couple examples from the recent Festival of Quilts at Heritage Park in Calgary:

Florals with Black Paths

 Here in this floral quilt, the multi-coloured flowers blend together and the black paths stand out.

Pastel ladders

 The clean, clear white background on this pastel version makes the ladders stand out.

A modern pattern done in blue, yellow and gray

 This great pattern has lots of movement, both from the blocks and the secondary pattern when those blocks are joined together.

Traditional colours, modern pattern

Again, a totally different look to this quilt with different colour choices!

--Ann