Tuesday, June 6, 2017

Chinese Coins III: Working Around the Medallion

My sewing room is a wreck. Fabric everywhere and as usual, the scrap bag is a swash zone of leftovers/rejects. On one hand is an urge to toss it while on the other hand, perhaps there's one more quilt in it. It's impossible to get anything else out so I can't start another quilt till I sew up or clear out this mess.

Most of the remaining strings are dark or light. Boring, but they might make a good string/piano keys/Chinese Coin medallion.

Originally I thought of Gwen Marston's quilt in this style. Lucy Mingo of Gee's Bend made Bible Story which is now owned by Bill Volkening. He wrote an amusing article about Lucy signing this quilt for him. Both quilts are made of solids but Gwen's has a single fabric center while Lucy's is a large nine-patch.

I planned a few Broken Dishes for my center until this old Alexander Henry remnant caught my eye. Although a tiny bit went into my Propeller quilt, {I recognize the cut-out shape. Ha!} the rest has been moldering in the scrap bag. It's a big print and {sort of} blends with {some of} the strings.

Starting a medallion quilt of Chinese Coin strips

The narrow light inner border looks quite nice. Except for the dark blue flower in the lower right. How did that happen? I may change it but...

Working on the third border

The dark border is getting too bright for the center. These strings are still the swash zone, but there are quite a few reds since I actively excluded most from Stacked Coins. Oddly, there were few rust/peach-colored strings.

Enjoy the day,  Ann

30 comments:

myrtovl said...

It looks great Ann, I wouldn't change the blue stripe, when an accident happens the quilt becomes more interesting!
Myrto

patty a. said...

I like the high contrast of the borders and the variety of fabrics.

Julierose said...

Oooh I really like how this is working out; what a great use for that lovely fabric hugs, Julierose

Monica said...

You always have so many interesting links, Ann. I enjoyed every one! I like this new approach with the large print as your medallion centre. Something very high on my list to try as well! You're off to a good start!

Nifty Quilts said...

I LOVE this!!

PaulaB quilts said...

This is going to be a stunning medallion. The center is so powerful and the dark strips repeat that so well. I don't think it is too strong, however you could test it by covering up a bit of the outsides of the strip to see if you like it a little narrower, then trim it if you are sure. Best of luck with this bonus project.

em's scrapbag said...

I really like this contrast of light and dark scrappy strips.

Linda @ kokaquilts said...

Love this mix of lights & darks and improv!

audrey said...

Oh wow! I just love that middle fabric and then the addition of the coins in a medallion pattern. It's looking very good!

Quiltdivajulie said...

I would not change a thing!! This is marvelous -- keep going!

Ariane said...

I love the way this is looking!

Mystic Quilter said...

Oh my, I love this Ann!! Keep on keeping on, it's a treasure.

Ann said...

Good point. In a way, this whole quilt is an accident. It's all the absolute leftovers. Thanks for writing.

Ann said...

We always read that most of our stash is mediums. Not sure about that but I'm intrigued that the "final" scraps in my bag are always the lightest and darkest. I've already used most of the bright mediums.

Ann said...

Thanks, Julie. I enjoy using these to make something useful rather than tossing them.

Ann said...

Thanks, Monica. I enjoy reading what others have written and posted. This fabric didn't really have anything to center on and I'm enjoying the casual effect.

Ann said...

Thanks, LeeAnn.

Ann said...

That's a good idea and a good name - the Bonus Project. Thanks, Paula.

Ann said...

Thanks, Emily. I do, too. Funny what happens when we use every last bit.

Ann said...

Thanks, Linda. I guess I used most of the mediums on the previous Coins.

Ann said...

Thanks, Audrey. I actually started the borders then had to look around for something to surround. It reminded me a bit of your medallions.

Ann said...

Thanks, Julie. I'm pushing ahead but do want the inner border to have a sharper outline.

Ann said...

Thank you, Ariane.

Ann said...

So sweet, Maureen. Not sure if it's a treasure but I'm liking the look and the opportunity to use all the bits.

Barb said...

wee! I love this quilt project. The contrast is great and the strings are fun to study.

Cathy said...

Glad you didn't follow that urge to toss and followed the challenge to use it up! Wonderful!

Janie said...

Fun idea and progress. Gwen Marston is inspiring!

Ann said...

Thanks for writing, Barb. I like using all my fabric and this is turning out better than expected.

Ann said...

I do like using all my fabric but often think it slows me down getting to the newer stuff. Ah, well.

Ann said...

She certainly is. I enjoy seeing how different people interpret this simple style.