I had been quilting for only a couple of years at the time and didn't have anywhere near the variety of multicolor prints that I needed for these projects. I remember going to JoAnn Fabrics very early on Black Friday that year and buying small amounts (1/8 - 1/4 yard) of a ton of prints, mostly florals. I would bet that I got close to 50 pieces of fabric that day, maybe even more!
I made two watercolor quilt tops the following year, one small (27" square) and one larger (55" square.) Neither one ever got quilted. I especially like the wreath of flowers effect in the first piece.
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| "Calvary" from Strip-Pieced Watercolor Magic by Deanna Spingola, 27" x 27" |
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| variation on "Cosmic Energy" 55" x 55" from Strip-Pieced Watercolor Magic by Deanna Spingola |
All of the pieces in those two quilts are from 2" squares. Afterwards, I was left with three shoeboxes full of leftover 2" strips, sorted from #1 at the left, the darkest darks, to #6 at the right, the lightest lights. These are from the two boxes that had already been divided up--the third box still needs to be sorted.
I have been looking at many patterns and designs for different ideas on how to use these strips. I haven't made a firm decision yet, but I hope to have something in the works by this time next week.
I am linking up with the Rainbow Scrap Challenge on Saturday and at Oh Scrap! over at Quilting is more fun than Housework on Sunday. I'm also linking up to Scraptastic Tuesday with Mrs. Sew & Sow. Be sure to check out all of the wonderful scrappy projects that everyone is sharing!
Julie in GA
it seems to be a great idea for your multicolored strips. I'll be looking forward for seeing your progress with them.
ReplyDeleteThat's a lot of multi-colored strips! Good luck with using them --- I recognize that bright Easter Egg print, my mom has a table runner that uses that fabric!
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see what you do with those strips. Your earlier ventures with them are both lovely.
ReplyDeleteI have a water color quilt on my bucket list. It probably won't happen this year. But I can live through yours for now. Love those strips!
ReplyDeletewow! those look like some fantastic fabrics! and you have them sorted so well, too. how about a rail fence quilt with 6 strips instead of 3 or 4? that would still look slightly watercolored, and be easy to do. I participated in a watercolor exchange, too, probably right around the same time. but we did 2" squares. I like your idea of strips better. I never did a water color quilt, but I did use all my 2" squares to make a flower garden quilt, complete with rocks!
ReplyDeleteI love watercolor quilts but they look so difficult. I love yours
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the Colorwash quilt!! I am drawn to those, but have never tried one.
ReplyDeleteI love the flimsies, and your pile of scraps is very promising!
ReplyDeleteI have always loved watercolor/colorwash quilts and like you, bought a lot of fabric back in the day to make one. But unlike you, I never made one - and your two are just drop dead gorgeous! I know you’ll come up with another mind-blowing design to use up those fabrics, some of which I regret to say I recognize!
ReplyDeleteI have some of that red/green/blue/yellow lightening print! Colorwash is a good idea for using up these multi color prints; I hadn't thought of that.
ReplyDeleteI sure would not have liked to have been behind you in line that Black Friday! I've never tried a watercolor quilt but have admired many. Looking forward to what you do with that pile of scraps.
ReplyDeleteYes, water colour fabric. I have tons of it. Some 2" strips, some 2" squares and then a large bin of uncut some half meters or less. I also did a number of those quilts. My mom made a quilt using the floral fabrics, http://quiltville.blogspot.ca/2011/06/floribunda-re-post.html One of Bonnie Hunter's free patterns. it turned out great.
ReplyDeleteIt was fun to see your watercolor quilts! Looking forward to seeing what you choose for using up some of your multi-color strips.
ReplyDeleteI love colorwash quilts. I am looking forward to seeing what you end up making. Thanks for sharing with Oh Scrap!
ReplyDeleteI've got that book too. Never made anything from it, too many other fun things to do. Looking forward to seeing what you come up with to use up a few of those strips.
ReplyDeleteWonderful idea! I had not thought of using multicolor scraps for watercolor blocks.
ReplyDeleteYour water color blocks are awe-inspiring. They will make a lovely quilt. Visiting from Scraptastic Tuesday.
ReplyDeleteWhat fun to prepare your fabric strips for a new project - I think that is my favourite bit! Thanks for linking up to #scraptastictuesday
ReplyDeleteThis is news to me these watercolor quilts. I'll have to look for that publication.
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