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| My 'Alice in Blue' with final blue floral border. |
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| Blue floral fabric by Cotton & Steel. |
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| Redondo Beach, surfers waiting for the right one. |
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| Feet in the surf, priceless. |
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| Great weather for morning coffee and a walk along the beach. |
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| Life guard shack, Redondo Beach. I like the look of these shacks on the beach. |
Happy Friday!
It's summer and the weather is fine.
We walked on the beach this morning with our coffee and put our feet in the surf and got windblown and salty, great way to spend a morning!
This week I finished the final border on Alice in Blue, named for Cotton & Steel's Wonderland fabric line which I'm using some of in Alice. I also used some Kona cotton solids and some scraps for the four string blocks medallion in the center. The four string blocks in the center were pieced liberated style, meaning fun not precise.
Also, I'm starting a study on medallion quilts. Why? because it's exciting. Since the beginning of the year I've been distracted and uninspired as far as quilt design goes, sometimes that happens.
I've been reading through Gwen Marston's 'Liberated Medallion Quilts', good read by the way. Her definition of medallion quilts, on page 8 is as follows,
"Medallion quilts... defined as quilts with a center area of interest surrounded by a series of borders. The center can be a pieced or appliquéd or a whole cloth panel. The borders can be whole cloth, pieced or appliquéd.
Medallion quilts were one of the earliest styles of quilts made in America."
Of course some will say, 'Well this is old school, every one knows this.' Maybe so, but I see that new life, color and excitement are being breathed into the medallion quilt 'recipe'.
In reading Gwen Marston's 'Liberated Medallion Quilts' with her innovative, playful style and then reading Kaffe Fassett's book, 'Quilt's in Ireland', (there are 5 medallion style quilts included in that book) with his colorful, classic style, I began to see possibilities springing up everywhere.
And then I found Kaffe's newest book, 'Quilts in the Cotswolds, Medallion Style Quilt Designs in KF Fabric,' and of course ordered it from Barnes & Noble because they were having a good sale. I'm looking forward to color and design inspiration galore, Kaffe and company do not disappoint.
My medallion Alice blocks, 2 in red and 1 in blue, are now each going to be the center medallion of a small medallion study quilt. This medallion recipe can be liberated in style or formal, whole cloth, pieced, or appliquéd. This of course is nothing new, but I see it as a way to experiment without having to 'reinvent the wheel' every time or find a new pattern to use.
That my quilt friends, is the news from the rancho. Where summer is being enjoyed and new beginnings are happening.
Remembering to be thankful.
I'll be by to visit.
7 comments:
Love your Alice in Blue quilt Janie!! Nice mix of fabrics. I'm interested to know that you're going to study Medallion and of course these can be, as you say, that these can be in the classic older style or the new. I'm attracted to Medallion quilts but they can sometimes be on the large side, however, I have just ordered the new Kaffe Fassett book specifically on Medallions - Quilts in the Cotswolds and of course these will be in the vibrant colours that I love. I also have Gwen's Liberated Medallion Quilts.
This idea of re-invigorating your quilting confining yourself to medallions has a lot of appeal and the two you have shared so far make me want to see more. I don't have either of these books, but you have got me interested in this way of approaching things. I love the combination of traditional form and contemporary interpretation.
Thanks, Maureen. Those books are inspiring.
And your newest pastel quilt in KF fabrics is a beauty, the pattern looks like a medallion style, borders from the center out?
Alice in blue is gorgeous! I do love blue! Coffee on the beach looks very inviting.
Your quilt is delightful! Love the floral and stripe combination so much! I personally adore medallion style quilts and think there is an endless well of inspiration for them.:)
Loving your 'alice in blue', the floral & stripe combo always catches my eye. Adding a traditional twist to the medallion style is interesting, I'll look forward to seeing more.
I'm looking forward to seeing what your interest in medallions will lead to. I'm sure it will be colourful and wonderful and inspiring!
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