Summer Storm

Sometimes you just have to love things for what they are.  I intended for this to look like a bento box quilt, but there isn't really enough contrast in the fabrics to truly reflect that pattern. I love making quilts with lots of different, busy fabrics, and I'm just not sure that works with a bento box.

Instead, it really looks like a scrap explosion of yellows and grays, and frankly, I'm okay with that.  Even though it doesn't have the look I envisioned, I'm still pleased with how it turned out.

I know I cannot possibly be the only person who over-collects fabrics for quilts (please tell me I'm not the only one!).  In the name of fabric variety, I always end up with way too much!  I had so much fabric for this quilt, that I refused to buy more fabric for the backing, and just made it reversible with the leftovers.

I had tons of Kona Coal left over from when I made the four quilts from my grandfather's shirts, so I decided to use it (well, some of it anyway) to bind this one.  I think the solid amongst all of the busy patterns works really well.

I love those summer storms where one part of the sky is dark gray and pouring rain, and yet the sun shines brightly right through it.  It's almost magical.  The shades of gray dappled with sunshiny yellows in this quilt remind me of those times, and so Summer Storm seemed to be the perfect name.

Nope.  It's not a bento box in the traditional sense of the pattern.  But the colors and fabrics are fresh and modern, and the very angular pattern still works with them.  Well, sometimes you live and learn- and then end up loving it anyway!

The Bento Box Quilt That Wasn't

I finished the top of my bento box quilt this afternoon.

So here's the thing-  I actually really like this quilt.  That being said, despite the fact that it is technically a bento box pattern, it doesn't really look like one to me.  The cool thing about bento box quilts is the effect that is created when the contrasting parts of the box are put together.  There are some parts of it that have that neat contrast, but other parts that look more muddled.

Again, I do like the ultra modern feel of the quilt, but I think these fabrics, although they are all individually beautiful, are just a little too busy to allow the bento box pattern to really show up well.  What do you think?

The Beginnings of a Bento

Ahhhh... Fall Break...  finally.  We have been in school since August 4th, and teachers since July 29th, with only Labor Day to offer a brief respite from the craziness that comes with the start of the school year.  So after nine loooong weeks, to say I've been looking forward to this break is quite an understatement.

Since finishing Fishing at the Creek and delivering it to my principal (who loved it, by the way),  I've been working on turning this-

Into this-

A bento box quilt with shades of yellow and gray.  I've been collecting fabrics in these colors for awhile, and have finally gotten around to making it.  So far, I'm loving the way these super modern colors and graphic prints are working with the bento box pattern.  I can't wait to get these blocks mixed up and sewn back together.

I'm hosting the Memphis Area MQG meeting at my house tomorrow, and for this month, we're doing a sew-in.  Looks like I know what I'll be working on!