Saturday, June 10, 2017

Chinese Coins Retrospective to Date

CCIII: Medallion is finished for now. The inner border contains many of the lightest lights while the outer border is more colorful. I like the subtle difference between the two.

Chinese Coins III: Medallion

This top will be a good toddler quilt, currently 51" by 60".

Before Kaja and I started this invitation, I didn't think there were many variations of Chinese Coins, even with an extended definition. How many ways have I interpreted them now? Besides this medallion, I've made two columnar Chinese Coins: the red/aqua Coins

Red, pink, blue, and green fabrics create this Chinese Coin quilt
Improv Chinese Coins

and the Pflugerville Coins, which was my first #AHIQChinese Coins.

Blue, yellow, white, and grey fabrics create this Chinese Coin quilt.
Pflugerville Chinese Coins

The leftover from the first morphed into a Rail Fence.

Rail Fence variation from Chinese Coin remnants

I'm working on Stacked Coins, CCII.

Chinese Coin units arranged vertically in this variation.
Stacked Coins variation of Chinese Coins, in progress

Obviously, scrap quilts still have my heart and this idea is an easy way to use up leftover fabric. Other quilters have made much more original variations that truly push the boundaries. For example, Paula interpreted seed growth while Marly used coins as the background for a delightful tree. Meanwhile, Patty created a value study in grey tones that I return to look at again and again. I enjoy reading how people take a germ of an idea and develop their own vision.

For more examples browse through links in AHIQ Chinese Coins. Color, design, ideas abound. So many ways to speak with our own voice even when starting from a single point.

Enjoy the day,

Ann

20 comments:

Julierose said...

Great coin quilts--am beginning my journey with some red/gold/beige pieces...hard to get my head around what I want to do..strange not following a pattern...even scarey..but so far, no quilt police have darkened my doorway hahaha hugs, Julierose

Kaja said...

I have always liked how quilts with their roots in traditional patterns can all have the same foundation and yet vary so wildly in character and your group of Chinese Coins quilts illustrate this perfectly.

Ann said...

It is different to work without a fixed pattern. I can't wait to see yours; the colors sound gorgeous. I do like Coins as a scrap quilt now and am glad I've experienced many of the variations.

Ann said...

Good point, Kaja. I didn't think these simple Coins would vary so well. I think this will be my go-to scrap buster for a while yet. I'm also impressed what a useful background they make.

audrey said...

Strings and coins work so well with scraps and/or scads of different fabrics. Your interpretations are gorgeous, so much depth and spark to them! One of my favorite scraps quilts ever made is from little string pieces cut into columns of coins. It still mesmerizes me whenever I use it. It seems to be a great foundation for many, many wonderful versions!

Janie said...

I so love what you're doing with your scrappy coins. This is super inspiring. I've got to hurry up and get a sewing workroom going here.
The colors you're using are a language I understand. Thanks for sharing Ann.

Mel Beach said...

Wow!! I love the range of design possibilities using chinese coins!! So hard to choose which is my favorite.
The medallion style is quite stunning, but I also love the stars at the corner intersections!!

Mystic Quilter said...

I'm pleased to read that we may be seeing more scrap buster Coins in the future - I have so enjoyed this post showing all these beauties!

margaret said...

it would be hard t find a better way to use scraps this has worked so well and love the contrast between the light and dark

Ann said...

Yes, I can see how well those would
Work as a foundation for appliqué. As you wrote, those little bits add lots of sparkle.

Ann said...

What fun to have a workroom. I hope yours is finished soon so we can all see what you make. Glad we like the same colors, Janie.

Ann said...

Thanks, Mel. I still remember your Coins with a floral vine appliqué. So lovely!

Ann said...

Oh, Maureen. I've become inspired by these simple Coins and by the many more variations others have made. Who'd have thought?

Ann said...

I think I may see leftovers into coin units for a while and see how scrappy it gets. Anything to keep the scrap bag down.

Paul said...

Thanks for the Medallion inspiration. I would have never come up with that, yet I love it!

Ann said...

How kind of you, Paul, but I'm sure you would have thought of something like this.

Cathy said...

I just love the variety of coins you've made. I think my favorites are the red/aqua followed by the stacked coins. I think you've inspired lots of folks to take a second look at Coins. (I've been working on mine and have an idea for another one). Thanks for the challenge/invitational. It's been fun to see all the variety in blog land.

Tami Von Zalez said...

This is the first I've heard of Chinese Coins. Looks like it would work for me since I'm still circling around squares and triangles.

Ann said...

I'm glad I'm not the only one finding more interesting ways to use these simple units. I made the red/aqua quilt to keep so I like that one best, too.

Ann said...

Thanks for writing, Tami.i hope you try some of these. It's such an easy unit that is more versatile than I ever supposed.