Remember last year when I vowed to send a shot of modernity (and maybe a shot of tequila ;)) to my local quilt show? Well the time has come friends. And I am freaking out a little.
I decided I wanted to enter their quilt challenge (winning fabric money? yes please), but this came with some rules. And with some fabric…
I have to feature this fabric in a quilt no bigger than 24×24. I am no art quilter so I have a feeling some tiny piecing is in my future.
This year’s theme is “Life in the forest,” which works for me because I basically live in the forest.
I want to keep it geometric and abstract. There will be some amazing realistic scenes entered, so I really want to do something totally different. Here is the inspiration for my design:
Sources (clockwise from upper left):
Sprint Rain Quilt / Forest Print / Alpine Print / Abstract Shapes Print / Landscape Art Quilt / Wander Print
My goal in the next few weeks is to finish sketching my design and then find an ultra fresh color palette to really give this a modern feel.
Any suggestions would be welcome!! 🙂
Michelle
Gorgeous inspiration! Totally use some of that fabric for trees and make the rest tie in with your idea. It’ll be awesome!!
I love that idea! That fabric would be great for trees. Thanks!
Look forward to seeing what you come up with!
Thanks so much Fran!
Very very cool inspiration mosaic. I think Lucy is onto something about the fabric being the trees. Then you can do fresh, modern background colors that suit you and reflect your inspiration.
Yes! I think you both are on to something with using that fabric for the tress!
If those squiggles are fussy cut just right, they might look like pinecones. I’m not sure how you would incorporate that into the overall quilt, but it’s a thought. Best of luck on the project. I’m sure you’ll come up with something great!
Thanks Sarah. I never noticed that. I love how everyone sees something different!
This looks like a difficult challenge. Good luck! I really like the first image for your inspiration, the Spring Rain quilt.
Thanks for the good wishes Willit! I think it will be a difficult one.
Love your ideas for a modern quilt, Michelle! That sure is some funky fabric! I really like the simplicity of the Wander Print. But how to use that fabric in it? Binding? Ha, ha! I see the Wander Print idea being done in all solids. I am sure whatever you come up with, it will be amazing! Looking forward to seeing your progress!
Thanks so much Lorna! The fabric is really tricky to use what I have in mind. I would love it if it were a little more solid-like 🙂 And I would love to use it for the binding haha.
I’ve had that wander print pinned for some time now wanting to use it as inspiration in some way, such a gorgeous colour palette, and a great assortment of triangles! And i love that spring rain quilt. Something like that could be a great contender for your mini!
I’m sure whatever you come up with it will be fantastic, can’t wait to see more!
I love that you had that wander print pinned! The colors are so great in it, it’s just begging to be used for a quilt 🙂
I love that fabric- and all your inspiration! Can’t wait to see what you do…
Thanks so much Samantha 🙂
Tough Challenge! I love your picks for inspiration and cant wail to see how you incorporate the fabric. When is your deadline?
I know, I agree! Definitely the toughest thing I’ve tried so far. My deadline isn’t until the end of July but I know if I leave it until the last minute I’ll flake out 🙂
That fabric is definitely interesting, but I love your inspiration pics, especially the wander poster and water color mountains. I’m looking forward to seeing what you come up with.
Interesting is a great word for it! The wander print and water color mountains are my favorites as well. I hope they will spark something for me.
that is one heck of a challenge! go, michelle! the fabric they sent looks more like ocean coral to me. with some green water. lol. however, your inspiration photos are awesome and I know you’ll come up with something fantastic and thoroughly modern. but with no help from me, I’m afraid. I’m stumped! good luck, lady. =)
ps – I just logged in at stitched in color and remembered I forgot the pink mosaic challenge. however, when scrolling through I saw this fantastic “bubblegum is pink” mosaic . . . made by my friend michelle! I definitely voted for you. and you’re coming in first so far! good luck on that front, too.
I love that you see coral in the fabric. I’m not thrilled with the fabric, but it is encouraging that everyone sees something different in it. So perhaps it’s more versatile than I give it credit for! I’m currently still stumped on this so I will take all the luck I can get 🙂
Thanks so much for voting for my mosaic!! It was my first time creating one and I was probably more excited than I should have been to be in the top 10 🙂
WOW. If your mini is half as awesome as your inspiration, you’ll win hands done. It’s all lovely!!!
Thanks Daisy! How to make this is still puzzling me, so I really appreciate your encouragement!
I’m not a green person, and as much as I love Christmas, red and green together are probably my least favorite combination! You’ve set yourself a BIG challenge.
The fabric does have some diagonal pattern where you might be able to get less busy long pieces? Almost brings to mind lichen … reminds me of a pastel drawing of a tree I did on vacation with vibrant watercolor pastels – I didn’t have neutral colors, so I amped up the colors in the bark and moss and had fun with it.
Or layers, a transparent fabric over it to tone it down?
Good luck!
Haha, I’m glad you understand my dilemma! I told myself I’d have a plan by last weekend and I still have nothing. I do like the idea of somehow fussy cutting it to find the least busy parts. Or maybe breaking it up with some solids. Oh man, I don’t know. Maybe dye it? Wonder how they’d feel about that. haha.
Your inspiration ideas are amazing. But I have to say I really wish you didn’t have to use that fabric! I quite like the bits just with the white/cream dots – that makes me think a little of sunshine shining through leaves. But the pink/red bits really aren’t working for me!
I totally agree. I might have to make a second one based on the inspiration but without the required fabric! I’m really liking the idea to just use parts of the fabric that are more appealing. I’m also keeping my fingers crossed that the other colors I bring in with tone down the parts I’m not a fan of.
i love your thought process. did you make the quilt?
Thanks Pat! I have not made it yet, it’s the next one on the list once I get my picnic quilt done. I can’t wait to get back to this challenge!