After finishing the last batch of charity blocks, I was ready start piecing my next finished exposed seams quilt. The general idea was to work with a rainbow of color and to expand the improv idea I tested with Topsy-Turvy into a larger quilt.
Fabric Pull
I have really been enjoying working with prints for these finished exposed seams quilts, and I was happy with the 16 fabrics I pulled to start with.
Red Block Detail
I started with the pink through burnt orange fabrics. It’s subtle, but I used color matching thread for the top stitching with each fabric in the block.
Orange/Yellow/Lime Block Detail
After making the first block, I mapped out how to position each fabric so that I could make sure I ended up with the fabric placement I wanted. And then I promptly ignored my notes when I made the second orange/yellow/lime block, so I ended up having to make a second block (shown above) to get everything in the correct location.
Green Block Detail
Thankfully, by the time I made the third (green) block, I was following my notes and I needed to rip seams fewer times. In order to get the seams on the front of the quilt, I have to pair fabric wrong sides together, which I kept forgetting. It’s okay to be good friends with your seam ripper, though. What an amazing ability to be able to undo something.
Blue/Purple Block Detail
With four blocks made it was time to put everything up on the design wall to contemplate what might come next…
First Four Blocks
I then spent the weekend staring at my design wall at these four blocks and rearranging them with their piecing off cuts to test out ideas.
Thread and Auditioning Additional Fabric
As part of the idea auditioning process, I went back into my stash and pulled out a few additional prints that might find their way into the quilt top. You can also see the stack of piecing off cuts on the left of the photo and the rainbow of matching 50wt Aurifil thread I used during piecing.
Auditioning Ideas
I tried a lot of different ideas on my design wall, and above is where things ended on Sunday afternoon. I think what is going to work best for me is to make more blocks using the off cuts and a “neutral” grouping of prints. I need to look at my stash, but I think I might have enough off-white or black and white prints to fill in the background. Time to dig around in my stash a bit and then make more blocks to see how this evolves!
It is interesting to follow your design process with this project.
These are really fun blocks. I love seeing how you are “thinking” this through. The prints are fun and I can’t wait to see if you use those great stripes!
What a fun and interesting process. Love your statement that it’s ok to be friends with your seam ripper! Jackie the Ripper and I have become fast friends through the years! LOL
It’s intriguing to see your process, so thanks for sharing!
Another cool project. I love how you embrace the ability to undo what isn’t working for you.
I’m always interested in how much of an impact (though subtle) the ws seams make on the front, with their subdued and nearly white (some of the time) colors. It really shifts the idea of what the blocks will become. I love the stripe audition — can’t wait to see what happens next.
Your exposed seam blocks are so interesting. Looking forward to see how your design changes with time. Have you had to reject fabrics because the raw edges tend to unravel? It seems I always have at least one fabric in my pull that just creates all kinds of loose threads.
Must not have hit send last night. (smacks forehead) I love these bright fabrics (the stripes especially give it a real zing) and I totally am ‘with’ you on the designing on the wall. It’s so different than designing in EQ or on graph paper isn’t it?