Saturday, January 5, 2013

THE BATTLE OF THE CHALLENGE FABRIC

The challenge fabric sat on my sewing room table for all of December as I had no time for sewing but I did offer it various fabrics old and new.  I thought this was an attractive fabric but I could see now why Victoria called it a challenge fabric.

On the 2nd January I  had to do something about it otherwise it would still be there in 2014 so I picked up the scissors, sliced into it and made some  fabric wedges with the rule that each wedge had to contain a piece of the challenge fabric.


I joined up the wedges with apricot spotted fabric


and didn't like it at all.
So next step was to experiment more without using up too much of the challenge fabric


and quite liked it.
So decided to show the fabric who was boss and quickly gave it a bright frame.


then unpicked it, cut the rose straight and changed the frame a bit.


Finally cracked it, gave it some curved quilting



and here it is - a miniquilt or a mat.




15 comments:

bohemiannie! art said...

Wonderful. You met the challenge with unique style and beauty. Unpicking though. I had such a hard time with that. But...it definitely was the right thing in this case.

Annie said...

Well done, Sheila! You have this hidden talent to create beauty where not much beauty is.

Sewing In CT said...

I'd never guess that was a challenge fabric! I like it.
I just read V's book and am looking at challenge fabrics differently. I may go play with some this weekend!

Cathy said...

I love your quilt and the quilting is fabulous. Hugs

Nifty Quilts said...

Love it! Amazing combination of batiks, dots and florals. I love unusual combos like that.

liniecat said...

Striking!! Really like it

Willa said...

Thanks for sharing your process. The result is as you always do, delightful!! Nice to see your work again!

Helen said...

Glorious frame for that rose! Love your curvy quilting, too!!

Miki Willa said...

I love the quilting! The fabrics you chose to frame the rose are beautiful, and the quilting in arcs really adds such texture and dimension to this piece. Great job with the challenge.

janequiltsslowly said...

I think you made a beauty! Love the quilting and the great colors and contrasts you used.

Deborah said...

Oh wow, Sheila - that is lovely. Showing it who was boss well and truly worked!

Chris said...

Great job Sheila! I think it's hard to create such a beautiful design in such a small piece - lovely! Great curved quilting too! :) Happy New Year!

Victoria Findlay Wolfe said...

The HOT pink in the dots are SOOOO GREAT with this!!! Now, who would have thought! Great job! ;-)

janie said...

Sheila this is a delightful little quilt with very clever use of the traditional and bright more modern style fabrics which mingle together to make a quilt which is very pleasing to the eye. Love too the paler border which brings the whole piece together beautifully. I look forward to seeing more of your work.

Unknown said...

Hi Sheila, Love the dots and the hot pinks, it really sets the challenge fabric off...as I know with experience of this fabric, it also has the capacity to look dull. You really breathed some energy into it!! Lovely!