Tuesday, December 26, 2017

Piecing Units, Color Decisions, Quilt Finish, AHIQ # 28

Units and borders being interviewed to be added onto my art quilt.


Nice color for the table, 18" x 60".

We had a beautiful, white Christmas.

This is before the binding was sewn down, it's just pinned here.

Close up of Santa Clara runner, 18" x 60".


Hello! from snowy, icy, Renton, WA!
I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas.

I wanted to duck in for AHIQ # 28. I'm always happy to see all the projects and colors being shared 
in AHIQ hosted by Ann and Kaja. Do stop in and share and be inspired.

I've been piecing units to add to my improv challenge quilt, Attract. I started it over the summer.
In the photo the dark color is navy blue and the strip that looks dark blue is actually dark purple or violet. Some quilter's 'pull' fabric before starting a project. I don't work that way or using that terminology. When I'm looking for color inspiration I look outside of my fabric stash/sewing room.

I find inspiration in nature; the morning light in the forest, or over a pond. I look through good interior design publications such as Country Sampler BOHO Style, special issue 2017, or Romantic Homes, January 2018. I'm trained in interior design/art and I learned to guard and treasure sources of inspiration. Some fiber artists make up a cloth book filled with hand embroidery, lace bits, color samples from paper and cloth. Excellent source for keeping a record of favorite color combinations etc.
I usually choose just two main colors and then I choose two fabrics with those colors in them and from there I broaden my fabric choices always complementing the two original colors. So in a nut shell, that's my process in choosing the colors I work with.

Santa Clara quilt runner is finished and ready to brighten up the world.

Happy Holidays!
Remembering to be thankful here.
I'll be by to visit.

14 comments:

Mystic Quilter said...

Such a colourful table runner - love it!!

Ann said...

Your table runner is wonderful and works especially well on that dark table. I'm intrigued with your art quilt. Thanks for the explanation of how you choose the fabrics. I love to read how people make their decisions. This information makes AHIQ a special group. Thanks for linking with us and continue having fun in Reston.

Quiltdivajulie said...

I totally agree that Mother Nature provides THE BEST inspiration - hands down. Lovely runner finish - looking forward to 2018 and the projects we'll share.

Pamela said...

Happy Holidays! I love seeing the beautiful, creative things you make.

KrisR said...

Love your tablerunner - the matchstick quilting is gorgeous! Thanks for stopping by my blog!

beth s said...

I love your table runner! It makes me want to go to my sewing machine and begin one of my own!

audrey said...

What a great table runner! Love those gray squares.:)

Kaja said...

What a lovely finish. I know I've said it before but I particularly like the way you've worked with a range of neutrals to set off those beautiful brights. I really like what you have written about your sources of inspiration too, and your way of choosing fabric.

Magpie's Mumblings said...

I have always admired your colour sense and it was fun to read how you work. I often pull fabric choices but then I end up wandering off into uncharted territory. It's like making a doll - it never becomes what you expect. I firmly believe fabric talks to us and tells us what it wants - provided, of course, we learn to listen to it.

Janie said...

Thank you, Maureen.
I hope you're feeling better!
Happy New Year.

Janie said...

Thanks, Julie, I'm looking forward to 2018 too.
Sharing projects and inspiration is so rich!

Janie said...

I think fabric talks and I think it's the color that resonates with what's going on inside us.
When we make things it's like a diary.
Happy New Year Mary Ann!

Victoria said...

Beautiful runner!

Janie said...

Thank you, Victoria.
Happy New Year to you and your family!