Ever since the beginning of the year, I have been hand applique stitching little 3" Orange Peel blocks as part of the Rainbow Scrap Challenge. Actually, I believe I started late last year with a few sample blocks to make sure I liked the idea before committing to it. I've made over 100 blocks since then, and I'm feeling like the time has come to make a plan for how I'm going to use them all.
My original inspiration was a design I saw from a company called Honest Fabric. This company makes custom printed quilt tops in a wide variety of designs. The quilt tops can be used for free-motion quilting practice or to make a quick quilt without spending long hours piecing it. You can learn much more about them at the Honest Fabric website.
I'm not sure I would ever want a pre-printed quilt top, but I sure love this Orange Peel design that they produce.
That design was my starting point. I have been trying to make 12-16 Orange Peel blocks per month with a variety of scrappy black and dark grey background fabrics. To reproduce the above design in my quilt would require a total of 320 blocks, which means at least another full year of making Orange Peels, maybe more. I'm not sure I can keep going for that long, so it's time to look at some other options. Here a few of my layout ideas.
The last photo is my attempt to mimic the layout from the Honest Fabric version, and I must admit that it is my favorite of the bunch. I'm a sucker for a good gradation of colors, especially the whole rainbow. Maybe another year isn't out of the question (but I'm going to need to get some more background fabrics!) I'd love to hear what you think about these choices.
I am linking up with the Rainbow Scrap Challenge on Saturday and with Oh Scrap! at Quilting is more fun than Housework and Slow Sunday Stitching at Kathy's Quilts on Sunday. On Monday I'm linking up with Design Wall Monday at Small Quilts and Doll Quilts, Moving it Forward at Em's Scrapbag and Monday Making at Love Laugh Quilt. Be sure to check out all of the wonderful projects that everyone is sharing!
My original inspiration was a design I saw from a company called Honest Fabric. This company makes custom printed quilt tops in a wide variety of designs. The quilt tops can be used for free-motion quilting practice or to make a quick quilt without spending long hours piecing it. You can learn much more about them at the Honest Fabric website.
I'm not sure I would ever want a pre-printed quilt top, but I sure love this Orange Peel design that they produce.
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| Honest Fabric "Orange Peel" |
That design was my starting point. I have been trying to make 12-16 Orange Peel blocks per month with a variety of scrappy black and dark grey background fabrics. To reproduce the above design in my quilt would require a total of 320 blocks, which means at least another full year of making Orange Peels, maybe more. I'm not sure I can keep going for that long, so it's time to look at some other options. Here a few of my layout ideas.
The last photo is my attempt to mimic the layout from the Honest Fabric version, and I must admit that it is my favorite of the bunch. I'm a sucker for a good gradation of colors, especially the whole rainbow. Maybe another year isn't out of the question (but I'm going to need to get some more background fabrics!) I'd love to hear what you think about these choices.
I am linking up with the Rainbow Scrap Challenge on Saturday and with Oh Scrap! at Quilting is more fun than Housework and Slow Sunday Stitching at Kathy's Quilts on Sunday. On Monday I'm linking up with Design Wall Monday at Small Quilts and Doll Quilts, Moving it Forward at Em's Scrapbag and Monday Making at Love Laugh Quilt. Be sure to check out all of the wonderful projects that everyone is sharing!
Julie in GA
I love the last three the best. The first one is nice also. You could always do a baby quilt.
ReplyDeleteI agree about the rainbow setting, but I really like the "flowery" setting! Whatever you do will be beautiful.
ReplyDeleteyours is very striking and it will look wonderful any way - no one will have the other to compare
ReplyDeleteI like the first and last layout you tried. Your quilt is going to be SEW pretty!!!
ReplyDeleteI like the layout of the 3rd photo - a great looking quilt which ever option you choose:)
ReplyDeleteI definitely see the appeal of the "Honest Fabrics" setting - it's a great play on rainbow gradation! I also can see why the thought of making another hundred or so blocks is daunting! My favorite of the alternate settings is number three - I like the Orange Peel "flowers" and the circular secondary blocks are a great addition.
ReplyDeleteI like Number 3 also - If you go with the last one that mimics the original, AND you want to drive yourself nuts (something I might do) I would add some dark blues around the light ones. But Number 3 is very pleasing!
ReplyDeleteWowzer! I understand why you want to make this quilt. It's a stunner! The end result is worth the journey and I would go for another year of applique to get such a wonderful quilt, says the girl who's been working on 365 Challenge since 2016! lol. Plan B would be the before last picture. I can see that the little purple circle could be an issue as it needs 4 blocks and not 9 but it is doable. You have the talent for this challenge. But that is just me. Whatever you decide, it will be beautiful as I always love what you make.
ReplyDeleteenjoy! ;^)
I like the layouts with the extra grey squares separating the orange peel blocks. It makes them stand out more. Great work making so many and they all look really good!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful project! As others have said, any of these layouts would make a stunning quilt. My personal favorites are #3 and #4.
ReplyDeleteI love your orange peel blocks! The last three are beautiful and I don't think you could go wrong with either of those layouts. If you have it in you I'd go for it and do the last one, but that's a lot of blocks!!
ReplyDeleteMe too... I also really love the colour gradation!
ReplyDeleteYou remind me that I have a collection of peel blocks that got stuck at the layout stage!!
Yikes... don't get stuck like I did!
Oh, I love how these are coming along! You are tempting me to start making peels again.... Love the flowery layout and the last one. If you are not bored with them... continue on. There are always sales next month to enhance the stash =)
ReplyDeleteYour orange peels are so pretty in all their colors! I do love that rainbow gradation, but when you arrange them into the flower shapes, that's pretty, too. It would be a tough decision for me to make!
ReplyDeleteI think you should keep going and you'll be happy you did. I like any of the last three settings and the graduated one is my favorite.
ReplyDeleteOrange peels are on my bucket list right after I finish my hexies...that have been on the go for more than 5 years. So no another year for you is not out of the question!!haha I like you last option too or the one just before it. Good luck
ReplyDeleteThey look so pretty grouped in flowers. The last arrangement is gorgeous too, but you would have to make as many again for the bottom section. Don't make a baby quilt, after all this work you should keep it for yourself!
ReplyDeleteOh wow.....100 3" orange peels! You deserve to take a bow! I rather love the last two options. How fabulous your orange peels look playing with each other. Whatever design you decide upon, your quilt is going to be spectacular!
ReplyDeleteI really like the last two layouts. Maybe take a month or two off and see how you feel. The last layout really is spectacular. Thanks for linking up with Oh Scrap!
ReplyDeleteThis is going to be stunning!
ReplyDeleteHonestly, you can't go wrong with any of your design layouts. Much would depend on how many more orange peels you are in the mood stitch. Orange peels are near the top of my list. Thanks for sharing your colorful project.
ReplyDeleteStunning as always, each design beautiful. I'll bet you come up with something spectacular.
ReplyDeleteYou've got so many beautiful blocks and some great ideas on how to lay it out. Not knowing what size you would like I'm voting for the third one down with the "flower" like layout with the little extra pieces in between. It looks like you wouldn't have to do tooooo many more peels to finish it off. And it would be really cool. I don't remember seeing a layout like this before. I also like the last one and would think about finishing it off by continuing the "rainbow" shape to the bottom and fill the top with just black/dk grey squares. Have fun making your decision. I'm betting it will be gorgeous whatever you do.
ReplyDeleteAll of the layouts are gorgeous, but I like that second one the best. Can't wait to see the end result.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! I love LO 1 and LO 4.
ReplyDeleteMy vote would be #4 followed by #2. My Wild and Goosey blocks are going another year (at least) for the same reason. I've got a design that just has to be made. Good luck with your decision.
ReplyDeleteSo lovely and layout number three is very appealing.
ReplyDelete