Wednesday, 12 February 2014

WIP Wednesday

Last week I showed where I had got to with the quilt I started in a class with Kaffe Fassett.  With a four day weekend, I was able to make plenty of progress and how have a finished quilt top.

Purple S-block quilt 

I wasn't completely sure that I was going to like this quilt top, both before I started and while I was making it.  However, having it up on my design wall at home and getting the blocks stitched up really helped, and now I love it!  There are so many favourite fabrics in here, which I probably wouldn't have put together otherwise.

Purple S-block quilt

I know it's traditional to make the centre of a quilt and then choose the border fabric.  I was a bit nervous that my centre might not work with my intended border fabric, but I think it does and I'm so glad to be able to use that gorgeous Echino fabric in a quilt.  What are your thoughts on borders - do you pick them first or wait until you've made the centre of a quilt?

I've made the back for this quilt (I even matched the print across the two pieces using this excellent tutorial - the first time I've been bothered to do that), so now I just need to baste, quilt and bind this baby.

Linking up with Lee at Freshly Pieced:

WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced

P.S. If you're feeling inspired by all this purple-ness, make sure you check out the 2014 Pantone Quilt Challenge, which Anne at Play Crafts and I are hosting.  Entries open a month from Friday, so you still have time to get something started!

2014 Pantone Quilt Challenge: Radiant Orchid

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27 comments:

Julie said...

This looks stunning Adrianne. So vibrant and modern.

Helen M said...

It is gorgeous adrianne. Now I need to get my one done. It is for the radiant orchid challenge and my dear friend sharens 50 th birthday so I hope it looks as beautiful as yours. Still need to decide on border.

Helen M said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Serena @ Sewgiving said...

Wow that cam together beautifully! I'm not a fan of borders, but use them if my quilt needs padding out. A necessary evil :)

Alison V. said...

Sometimes I find border fabric and it inspires a whole quilt, and sometimes I put together the whole quilt and then pick the border fabric.

Jessica said...

I loved the blocks on their own but the border totally makes it! Well done!! It's gorgeous. I am loving all this purple!

Kirsten said...

This looks amazing - really love the Echino border!

RobinSue said...

The border makes a great frame on this quilt, highlighting the pattern. It's so yummy!

Beausoleil Quilts said...

Your border suits the quilt perfectly. I am a big fan of borders, and think that they usually frame a quilt nicely. As to when I pick my border fabric- because most of my fabric comes from the US (to NZ) and I often buy fabric lines- bundles or precuts - I have to choose a border at the same time as the main order. Lines can sell out VERY quickly. Some times it works out well- sometimes not. If I am not using a fabric line I almost always choose border fabrics once the top is done.

Charlotte said...

it's fabulous!

dutchcomfort said...

It’s gorgeous Adrianne and the border is fabulous too!

I’m not always using borders on my quilts, but when I do I’ve learned to wait with choosing the fabric untill the centre of the quilt is finished.

Nilya said...

It´s cool - there is so much movement in it!

Cille said...

I really like this one, Adrienne, it's very vibrant and fun. The border is awesome. I always think it's a shame to cut Echino fabric into small pieces.

Jo Jo said...

It's very beautiful and you have some gorgeous fabrics in there too. Looking forward to seeing it finished!

Teresa @ Aurea's Kitchen said...

Although it will not be my choice of colours, the final combination is great. Usually I buy all the fabrics together even borders when I have a chosen design, but sometimes if I work from my stash I wait till is finished and then pick the borders.

Kris said...

Really looks great!

Ruth said...

I love it, I've never worked with colours like these but it's gorgeously rich and vibrant!

Rachel said...

Love the purple. I think it came together quite nicely.

knottygnome said...

i love the bold colors with that pattern. a perfect match!

Anonymous said...

I love this quilt so much. I do both with borders, if i use them at all. Sometimes the border fabric comes first and the quilt is built around that choice, and sometimes the border is chosen last to tie everything together, emphasize one color, or make some other bit of design choice.

Mrs Flying Blind... said...

Completely crazy, but in a good way!

Jennifer said...

Beautiful! I love it!

Anne said...

This turned out so beautifully!! I love how colorful it is! :D

I don't usually do borders, so if I add them, they're a bit of an afterthought. After seeing how well it works for you here, I might have to change the way I do things around here!

Sarah @ Berry Barn Designs said...

Ok, I have to be honest - I love Kaffe Fassett, I love lots of the fabrics you used, but I wasn't excited about this when I saw your design wall post - it was missing something to pull it together. Seeing it now with the border fabric, though, I love it! It all works so well together and I like how the staggered square repeat design in the border print echoes the negative space shape of each block. It looks great! Can't wait to see what you do with the quilting.

Sarah Fredette said...

Usually I don't do borders at all -- but this one totally changed my mind. And I've had my eye on a piece of Echino, so it looks like a bordered quilt will be in my near future. :D Gorgeous, gorgeous quilt!

Paula@TheSassyQuilter said...

OOOh, this is so bright and fun! Radiant even:)

Rachel said...

What a spectacular quilt!