Testing, Testing, 1, 2, 3...

Original Falling For Stripes

As I mentioned the other day, I'm writing a pattern for Falling for Stripes.

I'm using Ann Kelle's Bright Remix Stripe for Robert Kaufman. I love this fabric. I used it for the binding for What the FMQAYGQAL? and I've been hoarding collecting the rest for this project.

The main directions in the pattern are for the 6 fabric layout of the original Falling For Stripes quilt.

There will also be a couple of alternate options, one of which is a solid colour background. There's also the option of not using stripes in the pieced blocks so it has more of an hourglass block look to it.

Here's the top of the first test, using just white for the background:

Whadya think?

The quilt will be 55" by 67"-- a good throw size.

Interested in testing this pattern out for me? I'm looking for 3-4 people who could make this quilt in the next six (6) weeks.

Just so you know what you are getting into, the fabric requirements for the quilt are:

Fabric A (Stripe) – 2 ¼ yards (includes ½ yard for binding)** This calculation is based on using all the fabric as it is cut, without trying to have the stripes meet in the blocks. If you think you’d like to match your stripes, you'd best double this amount.

Fabric B (Light Orange) - ¼ yard long

Fabric C (Dark Orange) - ½ yard

Fabric D (Pink) - ½ yard

Fabric E (Burgundy) - 1/2 yard

Fabric F (Purple) – 1 yard

Backing – 3 1/3 yards

Batting – 3 1/3 yards

Here's how the testing will work:

• You let me know you are interested in testing the pattern in the comments below or by emailing me at quiltmatters(at)gmail(dot)com. If you are a no reply blogger, please leave your email address so I can get back to you. 
• I'll send you a PDF of the pattern, which you'll download to use to make the quilt.
• You make the quilt in the next six weeks and send me some feedback and photos of what you make.
• I'll send you two copies of the final pattern -- one for you to keep and one for you to give away on your blog or to whomever you wish -- and share your photos on my blog. And you'll have my undying gratitude! 

Thanks for considering this!

I hope you are having a fabulous weekend!

TGIFF! - Falling for Stripes

Oh, look, it's climbing a tree. ;)

Welome to our second TGIFF! Party! Laura at Quokka Quilts and I think every finish deserves a party so we launched this touring TGIFF! Party. Laura hosted last week, I'm hosting this week's party, and Erin of Missy Mac Creations will be our hostess with the mostest next Friday.

I know that I've totally milked this project with little peaks and teases so thank you for your indulgence! I think this is my favourite quilt to date. As far as I know, it's my original design. I qualify this statement because I look at so many quilts (obsessed, remember?) that I'm never quite sure if it's all mine or if I saw something somewhere similar and tucked it away in the back of my mind. If you've seen something similar, let me know and I'll gladly give the credit to whomever it belongs, if it's not me.

For those of you who have been following for a while, you may remember that I started Project Y (interim name) back in June. I didn't think of this as Fall-like when I was staring summer in the face, but when I saw the A Fall Palette post by Rachel at Stitched in Color, something clicked. I didn't associate purple with Fall before, but now I sure do.

Seeing that post also helped me think of a name, which for some reason was eluding me. Normally, names for my quilts come pretty easily. There have only been a few that stumped me and this was definitely one of them. I toyed with this name and that name. Someone suggested that I stick with Project Y, and I considered that for a while, but I just thought this one needed something more original. Once the Fall colour theme registered and as this was the first time that I worked with stripes like this and loved it, Falling for Stripes just seemed perfect!

I paid much more attention to the quilting on this project. I'm still pretty new to free motion quilting (FMQ) and wanted to use it to accentuate the design as much as possible. Straight lines were in order, but in patterns. It was going to be a challenge to make straight lines without my walking foot! I took my time and used my trial quilting sheets to work out how each section would look. And I diligently tested out the threads on scrap fabrics. Then I mustered up the courage and went at 'er. I did it 'right' and didn't rush or wing it like I usually do, and I'm sooo happy with the results. Still doing the Happy Dance with this one. :)

Okay, enough naddering. Here is Falling for Stripes. This is my quilt, just for me, for absolutely no purpose whatsoever. I'll probably use Falling for Stripes while reading and wearing my crazy skirt. :)

Falling for Stripes - The Front

Falling for Stripes - The Back

Detail Shot of the FMQ

Detail Shot of the FMQ

Quiltography: “Falling for Stripes,” original design by Michèle-Renée Charbonneau, Ottawa, 36” by 47”, 2011.

Other tidbits: Fabrics are shot cottons by Kaffe Fassett. Thread is Blendables by Sulky.

And because I now do think this is Fall-appropriate, I will link up to Celebrate Color as well.

I'm also linking up to Sew Modern Monday.