Ever since I started quilting, I've wanted to make a flying geese quilt. My original plan was to make an entire top of 3x6 geese...but I normally don't have the patience for that kind of piecing. In the end, I decided to do geese of different sizes, and an improv pieced background.
This quilt is meant to go to my brother, so I pulled some of my more "masculine fabrics" for the geese. I don't really get to see my brother that often--he's at med school in Tennessee, and we always seem to visit home at different times. He's 25, and I'm sure he hasn't got any lap quilts in his apartment. I figured these colors were a pretty safe choice for him.
The fabrics came from the very first bundle I bought when I started quilting--from Ty Pennington. I was planning on using the bundle on a quilt for me--I used to be really drawn to the softer colors, but lately I've been into bright and bold, so they don't really suit me. I thought they would make a nice quilt for my brother though.
I had planned on a grey or navy background to go with the more muted colors. Unfortunately, I ran out of those colors. I had 3 yards of this indigo quilters linen on hand, and in the spirit of sewing my stash, I went for it. I am pretty happy with how the blue turned out. I was worried it would be too blue, or too bright, but I like it.
The finished top is about 70 x 85, I think, so it should be a good size for him.
For the back, I used the left over fat quarters to make a column, then added some kona ash. The black fabric is actually a print (you can't really tell from the photo) from Kim Schaefer for Andover. I have plans for a quilt with a darker background, so this was a nice stash addition.
I have been trying this year to use up as much of my stash as possible, especially those fabrics I don't really love. I find it challenging to fit those fabrics into my projects--especially as they don't really go with the rest of my stash. I'm happy I was able to use a lot of those fabrics on this quilt. The only fabric I bought was the black print on the back. I have a feeling I'll have to go shopping for binding fabric, but I'll worry about that once I finish quilting.
How do you find motivation to use your unloved fabric?
Happy Saturday!
This week I am linking with WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced, and NTT Thursday at My Quilt Infatuation.
I think the blue on the front looks wonderful! It sounds like a nice and large cuddle quilt. That is a great question about using unloved fabric... I don't know that I have personally come up with a great idea. I do tend to gift out fabric to teacher friends looking for project help, so some of it goes there. The rest has just kind of be languishing in my stash.
ReplyDeleteI think the blue is a great background for your 'man' quilt! :) When I first started quilting again, I bought a LOT of the daily special charm packs from MSQC and most of those are still in my cabinet. I'm sure I'll find a project for them - some day...
ReplyDeleteLooks great, I'm sure your brother will be thrilled with it!!
ReplyDeleteOh I think this quilt is perfect for a guy! I love the deep blue with the greys and the big flying geese! I hope your brother loves it.
ReplyDeleteHaving seen the quilt with a blue background, I can't begin to imagine it with gray! The various size "geese" add a level of interest as well as speeding up the process. Unloved fabric: I try to put it into a project where it will be a surprise. Sometimes it works. Then there is the Bonnie Hunter answer: if you still don't like it, you haven't cut it small enough. :-) Visiting from WIP Wed. claire aka knitnkwilt
ReplyDeleteI think the blue is a great complement to all of those more muted fabrics!
ReplyDelete:) Kelly @ My Quilt Infatuation