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Sunday, August 2, 2015

A New Design

I can hardly believe that summer is on the wind-down.  School starts here a week from tomorrow, and teachers go back tomorrow.  It feels so weird to not be joining all of my teacher friends in their preparation for the school year, but at the same time, it feels absolutely amazing.  I've been spending my time lately putting together my latest design, using mostly AMH Folk Song fabrics.  I needed three additional prints, so I had to pull coordinating fabrics, which can be tough with AMH fabrics.  I'm pleased with how the additions blend though.  Can you spot the three extras?


I first sketched out this quilt design last October, and it has just taken this long to come to fruition.  When I started playing around with the design, it was a little bit different, and I wasn't in love with it, so it got shelved.  I made a little modification to it though, and then I loved it so much that I couldn't wait to make it.  The change I made wasn't huge, but it made all the difference in the world.

My inspiration with this pattern was a dance floor full of twirling, colorful skirts, and when the Folk Song fabric collection was released, I knew they were perfect to show off the design.  I'm calling this pattern Folk Dance, and I can't wait to get the quilt finished so I can release the pattern!




19 comments:

  1. Your description of your inspiration and the name truly does fit! I can totally see it :)

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  2. Looks awesome. I don't know enough of AMH fabrics to tell which ones aren't part of the collection but they all look good together. I can see doing this in solids too.

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  3. It's always the design end that seems to take forever, it seems good ideas have to simmer a bit before you get to the "best" design.

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  4. Oh WOW! I love Folk Song and I love what you did with it!

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  5. I love your block design and those fabrics are perfect!

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  6. It's a very pretty quilt. I see some Amy Butler there at the bottom. I love her fabrics so I spot her fabrics in a quilt! I look forward to seeing a little more about this quilt pattern!

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  7. Wonderful!! Very clever block : )

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  8. It certainly does look like a square dance floor with all kinds of swirling ladies skirts. Nice design.

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  9. What a great pattern for that fabric.

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  10. Love this - the movement in it is fabulous!

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  11. I love your new design! I can't tell which fabrics aren't AMH!

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  12. A great design, really showcases the fabrics. I have no idea which are the three "extras". Something a little extra beyond pinwheels, it looks like it's in motion.

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  13. The analogy of the skirts is perfect! I'm sad to hear you won't be returning to teaching. You look way to young to retire. I have a couple more years and then I want to be building quilts and sewing full time.
    Question: I'm grappling with what seems to be a 50/50 consensus on prewashing quilting fabric. What are your thoughts? My rule is if it's a fat quarter or more, I prewash. However, I'm liking the use of jelly rolls but despise the charm packs. LOL. With something like the jelly roll , layer cake , or turnover should I pre wash the quilt top when I'm done or should I construct the entire quilt and then wash it?
    I'm infatuated with your infatuation.
    Tracy

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    1. Thank you so much Tracy! I'm happy you like it. No, I didn't officially retire (I am 38, so too young to do that), but just decided that I needed a change. As for prewashing, I never do it. Fabrics nowadays don't bleed like they used to, and I've never had a problem. If I have a quilt with lots of super bold colors against a ton of white, I will use a few color catcher sheets in the first wash or two. You can find those on the laundry aisle, and they absorb any excess dye. I never wash and dry my quilts until they are completely finished. Hope this helps!

      :) Kelly

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    2. Not prewashing certainly saves time and leaves more time for "life". Thanks for the tips. Looking forward to future contents on your blog. :)

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  14. Very interesting design, lots of movement to the eye just as you envisioned. What are you going to do for your next career?

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Thanks so much for your comment and for visiting! I read and appreciate every single comment, and I reply to each one as soon as I can. If you don't hear back from me, you might be a no-reply blogger. :)

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