My favorite setting in the whole wide world is the beach at sunset. The constant crashing of the waves, the warm breeze on bare skin and that showy blast of sunset colors - no place delights and inspires and simultaneously soothes my soul like it.
Read MoreBut after my second or third batch of blocks, I felt a nagging worry. Perhaps this spring palette was sprung too soon, given that it’s still winter here in The Netherlands and given the bumpy shape of my days? Maybe these fabrics don’t fit me after all.
Read MoreWelcome to a fresh new year and to a fresh new Stitched in Color pattern club! It is such an honor that so many of you are sewing along. Exciting! After you registered for the club, you downloaded the Positivities Prelude document and probably started dreaming up ideas for your quilt. But are still feeling hesitant about how to approach this project?
Read MoreNext week the Starbright Stars sew-along begins. I am excited about making another rendition of this quilt - my fifth! I had already decided that I would not sew from scraps. Instead, I plan to create a color scheme from my stash fabrics and make each star from a single print, like my Autumn Fading version from 2018/2019.
Read MoreFor starters I’ve decided on an ombre colored background for my sew-along Teeter Totter quilt, as with this original version. However, I will use fewer colors and colors more alike in value so that the background is subtly ombre. Hmmm, what if I challenge myself to use a color that I often neglect for the background hue?
Read MoreWhile strolling through Keukenhof, I thought of the master gardeners who compose these resplendent flower beds. Their artistry inspires me, particularly when it comes to color, and I managed to capture some favorite palettes. Perhaps I will lean into of one these color stories when choosing fabrics for our Teeter Totter sew-along this May?
Read MoreSo, you already have your copy of the Wild Oranges pattern? Now, let’s talk about those fabric choices. Will you be working from your stash or featuring a fabric collection with your Wild Oranges quilt? Here are two possible flows for selecting fabrics.
Read MoreI so appreciate your suggestions about possible background colors for my red, red, red economy stars quilt! Here I try out a few and come up with a plan that strikes me as adventurous.
Read MoreIt is the first day of August, the warmest month, when the wild days of summer burn themselves out. I have begun a new quilt with green as my mental starting point. Lively, living green. It brings the energy of growth and the relaxing cool of the shade.
Read MoreOver the course of a few days, I’ve created a new group for my Pas de Deux quilt. This one turned out nothing like the original group. Instead, it was created by making color connections with surrounding blocks, and experimenting with fabrics on hand.
Read MoreFor my second version of Pas de Deux, I’m choosing a color palette for the quilt as a whole. I want a limited palette of 3 or so colors, so that the patchwork groups naturally harmonize and the edges between them can blur. Here’s how I pulled together fabrics, questioned myself and spiraled finally toward a decision.
Read MoreYour Pas de Deux beginnings are inspiring me today. I’m feeling the tug to finish the scrappy rainbow version I’ve already started, and begin a fresh Pas de Deux quilt with a limited palette. Why not? It’s not, after all, a particularly time-consuming quilt.
Read MoreI love scrap quilts! Each one is special and totally unique. Here are some tips for planning a scrappy sampler quilt like Pas de Deux. Start with Your Scraps, Combine Colors, Develop a Theme and Avoid Total Overwhelm!
Read MoreIs making fabric and color choices taking way too long? When fabric choices feel disjointed color-wise, repeating fabrics and colors will help, but first you need to feel certain about those choices. Here’s how to refine and clarify a color scheme for patchwork.
Read MoreHave you ever selected fabrics that match beautifully and yet something still seems so very off about the combination? Sometimes different fabric styles can create friction between fabrics, even when the colors delight.
Read MoreI always try to keep a balance of limiting and helpful fabrics on hand. The limiting prints often inspire my color schemes. The helpful prints allow me to reinforce my favorite colors, all while creating space for the showy fabrics to shine.
Read MoreThe world is bursting with inspiration and you are full of fantastic palettes just waiting to happen. Let’s practice finding and following inspiration via Experiment 12 in my book.
Read MoreA Picnic at the Park, anyone? Story gives you something with so much depth and texture to inspire your color and pattern choices. If you haven’t used story before, now is the time to give it a try!
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