I took a 2 week vacation in September, and I was able to sit and sketch out a lot of quilt design ideas while I was relaxing. One quilt in particular came to me as a complete design. It even tickled my husband. I loved it so much that one of the first things I did when I got home was to order fabric for the quilt.
I thought this quilt would be fun to share my process steps with you. So, the first place to start is obviously my sketch from vacation. The name of the quilt actually preceded the design, but really, I had to write something down first.
Red Herring – Vacation Design Sketch
As you likely know from literature assignments in school, a red herring is
something that misleads or distracts from a relevant or important issue. [Wikipedia]
And I am clearly only showing you a portion of my design sketch up above… 😉
Red Herring – Fabric Selection
I actually purchased the backing fabric for the quilt first. At the time, I just thought I had found a good deal on some StudioE Prisms wide backing, but the next day as I sat down to pick out colors for the Red Herring Quilt top, I realized I could just color match to the backing fabric that was already on order. So I picked up Kona Bahama Blue, Kona Ruby, and Kona Breakers, and I am really happy with how the Bahama Blue and Breakers coordinate with the backing print. Also, the Kona Ruby is vibrant and sings out for attention… just what I want!
Red Herring – Partial Design Rendering
As a final check before I placed my order for the solids for the quilt top, I rendered the quilt design using my color selections (I use Inkscape for my computer generated pattern designs). I really love how the Ruby pops out, and I am excited to start cutting and piecing the quilt top.
I will say that I have a goal in mind of getting the quilt finished in time to submit to QuiltCon (November 30th deadline). I don’t think this is particularly the most modern quilt; I am making it because it excites me, so having a goal to work toward makes sense. If I don’t make the goal… no sweat. If I complete it in time to submit to QuiltCon and if it doesn’t get accepted… at least I made a quilt that tickles and excites me!
One of the most fun aspects so far is the color selection for the quilt. The teals versus the red is probably not something I would have chosen to do without the prompt of color coordinating to the backing fabric. I love how that serendipitous it all worked out. Have you had any fabric color combinations surprise you this way?
will be back to check mofe of your site.
I love arrows and the Red Herring name is perfect – made me smile! Are you going with Ruby binding too?
Great design, Yvonne! The color combo is fantastic! I really like your attitude toward submitting it to QuiltCon, as you said, you will have a quilt that excites you!
This quilt has an exuberance about it – as if it were designed while on vacation…ha ha. But seriously, it is quite fun. Love that red herring!
Ha! I’m always surprised when color combo’s I pick work out. 🙂 Looking forward to seeing your complete design. I love working on quilts that excite me too. Have fun!
This is going to fabulous!!! You are so creative!!!
I love the name and it is so fitting! The red arrow is perfect. I can see it pointing to the right while all the other arrows point left! This is a wonderful color combination … can’t wait to see more!
Very clever quilt title and interesting design. I think the color choices in solids is what will make this a modern design. Just curious, is that a notepad with the dots? I like that better than the typical graph paper.
This is fantastic! Love the design and the colours you chose. I was thinking the same thing as Jayne. But either way this is going to be a striking quilt!
Great idea for a quilt. And I think it’s very modern. I hope it gets into QuiltCon.
Really like your color choices. The red is the “distractor” which is what a red herring is! Can’t wait to see the whole quilt. I love the backing, too. Vacations can be so inspiring.
What a great design idea. I look forward to seeing the whole design.
I love this design! The colors are great and I love how the design continues off of the quilt.
I actually had never heard the term Red Herring, much less knew that meaning! I love this quilt all the more for it now! The backing with those fabrics you chose is perfect! If you don’t make this year’s deadline then you can enter it in next year’s QuiltCon!
That little peak of ruby in the mostly blue fabric looks really good. I’m curious to see what the rest of the quilt looks like.
Coincidence , I was actually reading about the role of a red herring in a mystery novel this morning. This will be one pretty cool quilt
Wow…I like this design. Can’t wait to see it unfold.
Yvonne, you have once again created a splendid quilt pattern with brilliant quilt color combinations! Excellent quilt and best wishes on the contest! Thank you for sharing and have a wonderful creative day!
That is a totally great attitude about competition – make quilts because you are excited by them, and it will be the cherry on top to submit it to the show. I love your fabric pull, and can’t wait to see how this develops. I’m excited for you!!!
It’s going to be such a cool quilt – but what can you expect from such a cool gal?
I love that colour combination, although I think I’m with a couple of the other comments wanting that red arrow pointing the other way!