Saturday, January 13, 2018

Housetops

Inspired by Gees Bend and Linda's Handkerchief Corners quilt I started one myself.

Here are the first two blocks made from true scraps. Love the color riot that was starting. Unexpectedly someone special called for a baby quilt with mint. So I cut some strips thinking they would blend with the previous ones.

Housetop  quilt blocks

The next day the color scheme was clarified: mint and coral. The further I progressed, the less the original pull worked with it. I could have continued in my own loud style but want everyone to be happy.

Fabric strips for housetop baby quilt

And here's what I finished with.

Housetops quilt top

Quite a change. The red and dark purples are gone. Several fabrics include birds and fish. I think both parents will like it. I like it myself. The lesson to me is that colorful scrappy can also be restrained.

That large bird is a remnant from the toile border on my spiderweb quilt. It adds extra meaning to me and hopefully to the recipient. I do love connecting quilts and generations.

Enjoy the day, Ann

41 comments:

Quiltdivajulie said...

I love working with controlled scrappy projects - as well as the wild and far ranging ones. What a wonderful baby quilt - how wide are your strips?

KaHolly said...

Ann, it came out beautifully! If your stash is large enough, controlled scrappy is fun to do! And just look at the results! The parents will be over the moon!

Janice Holton said...

I LOVE your loud style, probably why I am following you. But this quilt is spectacular! Great finish! I can't stop looking at it. Your stash is amazing. :)

Mel Beach said...

I am still in awe at how quickly this quilt came together. It feels like just the other day that we were with you as you were still picking out fabrics!! It is beautiful and will surely wrap the little girl in warmth & love.

beth s said...

It's beautiful!

LA Paylor said...

so striking!

Robin said...

What a bright and cheerful little quilt. It's funny how quilts tell you how they want to be made. Best wishes to the new parents.

JoniStrother said...

Like Mel, I enjoyed seeing you buy fabric for this beauty. It is restrained and pacific while still maintaining your signature scrappy style. Mozel Tov! The baby will love it.

PaulaB quilts said...

This pattern is totally different and beautiful with the limited palette. The flowers make it so feminine . Love it.

Janie said...

Great color and design, I'm in love with the coral and mint, (anything close to orange is gonna work in my book)
Linda's Handkerchief Corners Quilt design is a classic.

liniecat said...

Fabulous! Id be thrilled to receive that as a quilt, lovely colour choices too.
Do continue with your own bouncier colours for another one please!

Linda @ kokaquilts said...

It's beautiful Ann! I love your limited colour combo here, very fresh & so pretty!

Alycia~Quiltygirl said...

Its Beautiful!

Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow said...

what a pretty color combo! :)

Havplenty said...

Wonderful quilt. The recipients should be quite pleased.

Ann said...

Thanks, Pamela. It’s working well.

Ann said...

They range from 3/4” to 3” finished. Most are 1.5-2”.

Ann said...

Thanks, Karen. The result is better than I thought. I’m starting to like controlled scrappy bettter these days.

Ann said...

We are two of a kind then, Janice. I still want to make the louder one.

Ann said...

That was a fun day trip. Plus, the seat belt works again. Mint is a color I hadn’t used much but am finding it sparks these tops up.

Ann said...

Thank you, Beth. It’s interesting how well a limited palette works on these tiny quilts.

Kaja said...

I like it a lot! Thinking about your previous comment re wanting quieter quilts in bedrooms: this has that scrappy feel you are so good at, and lots of colour, but would be very easy to live with.

Ann said...

Thanks, LeeAnna. Hope you are finding joy in your new home town.

Ann said...

Thanks, Robin. With only 16 blocks, the quilt doesn’t need many random strips to look scrappy. I will pass your sentiment on to the parents-to-be.

Ann said...

That was a delightful day. Lots of good conversation. And lots of good fabric purchases. It was interesting to see what we each chose and how different each of our styles are... or at least, how differently we interpreted our fabric needs. Ha.

Ann said...

So glad you noticed the centers are {mostly} large florals, Paula. I like this combination. It’s femininity reminds me of Linda’s blues, which are even more ladylike.

Ann said...

I think I will be making this design again. The overlapping corners are quite intriguing since each looks a different size. I do like coral. You and DH are the orange aficionados.

Ann said...

Thanks for writing. I’m glad you like it, too. Yes; I hope to continue with the first colors.

Ann said...

Oh, Linda. Your charming blue handkerchief corners inspired me to make this quilt. I love the strips and gingham checks in yours. Thanks for sharing.

Ann said...

Thanks, Alycia.

Ann said...

The parents chose it. Won’t this be a lovely baby’s room? I do enjoy seeing the colors parents pick and the changes that occur over the years.

Ann said...

Thanks for writing. I hope they like it, too.

Ann said...

That’s a good point, Kaja. This is a restful quilt even though it’s scrappy. We’ll see how long I keep up soft but it’s something I’ll consider going forward. Well, you know I still have loads of loud fabrics so they won’t all be softer and gentler. Thanks for pointing this out.

cspoonquilt said...

Great top! love the colors and that id such a fun scrappy pattern! cheers!

Ann said...

Thanks, Claire. It turned out well.

Nifty Quilts said...

It's wonderful, Ann!! You might call it restrained, but you've kept it really lively too. Surely the family will love it. It reminds me of a similar antique quilt in one of Kaffe's early quilt books. I've been meaning to make one for years. I also have a baby quilt to make soon. Maybe you've given me the idea that will get me started!

Ann said...

I haven’t seen the one in Kaffe’s book and will look for it. What fun to see what you create for your baby quilt. Isn’t it interesting to see variations emerge?

audrey said...

I was smiling just looking at the quilt develop in your pictures! I have a similar fabric pull sitting on my counters. It's really lovely--so fresh and fun looking! Perfect for a baby quilt!

Ann said...

My baby quilts are usually made with leftover blocks. It’s fun to work out a design in such a small space. I think I will have to determine a color scheme more frequently for these little quilts. I look forward to seeing yours. These do look like spring; we need that hope right now.

Mystic Quilter said...

Ann, this quilt is beautiful!! You know I always go for saturated colour but this little beauty in the soft colour palette is glorious - I love it!

Ann said...

Thanks, Maureen. I'm enjoying these soft colors, too.