Sunday, July 20, 2014

Color Challenge Quilt - finished!


My color challenge quilt top, started two years ago, is finally finished! Shown below are just the blocks on my design wall - not sewn together yet.

Each block is a challenge (given by Victoria of 15 Minutes Play blog) to work with a certain "difficult to love" color - like mauve, dusty blue, and rust. Here are my finished blocks. Love that X-pattern block.
The next challenge - how to set them into a top. Simply, in 4 rows? With sashing? Or?

After trying several layouts, I was happy with this arrangement. Then I decided to add some - lots of - triangles - and had to plan something for all that empty space, and the corner blocks.

I auditioned several solid fabrics for these large areas, but they just "sat there". I used a number of different beiges and grays, with little inserts of my colors, and voila!

Love how this is coming along. But now - the corner blocks, what there? I decided on a New York Beauty block, which I drafted to be the correct size. I thought I knew exactly how I was going to make them! But plans can change.

I paper pieced the arcs, which worked great.

This is my failed plan - I thought I would use all of my "ugly" colors for the arcs of the block, but was not feeling the love.  So, I made fabric to fill each arc.

Much better. Each corner block has a different colored arc.


Finished quilt top! Sorry it is a little dark, it is a lovely day today, but overcast.  On the right is my favorite hydrangea plant, called Incrediball.
I was able to show this at a nearby quilt guild meeting where Victoria was lecturing! Wish I had pictures from that event.

Dora had to get into the last picture.  I love how this turned out - lots of fun, learned a lot. Next step - sending it out for machine quilting!


14 comments:

Vicki W said...

Your quilt is awesome!

Shauna said...

so so pretty the flow of colors is really great.

Ann said...

This turned out so well. I love that you showed your design process and included parts that didn't turn out as well. Thanks so much.
Beautiful!

Unknown said...

Absolutely stunning!

Nathalie said...

Love what you did with your blocks. Gorgeous!

Cathy said...

I love your quilt. It is so vibrant. Hugs

Maree said...

Fabulous - you have done a great job of combining all these blocks into a beautiful quilt.

Carol E. said...

It's beautiful! Congrats on getting it done! (I'm not there yet with mine.)

Ellen said...

Just beautiful! I love the X pattern and your NY Beauty corners.

Mystic Quilter said...

Just wonderful - love all your colour challenge blocks and your inspired choice of the New York Beauty Blocks in the corners.

Helen said...

You did a marvelous setting for your lovely blocks! Like your hydrangea, too!

Liz@Bigblueskydesigns said...

A striking quilt! I love your corners. Would love to know how to do that paper pieced effect with the arc. Is there a tutorial somewhere? Congrats on finishing the quilt.

Joy Manoleros said...

This is absolutely stunning!!! Thanks for sharing - what an inspiration. I'm glad you didn't stop at the beginning... the extra time was worth the effort. LOVE!

Shelly said...

This is gorgeous! I still don't have mine finished . . .