In 2013 I learned two important things about my crafty nature. The first being that I never start a project without intending to learn at least one new skill set, trick of the trade, or perhaps more importantly, insight into myself. And the second, is that 'random' absolutely does not come easy to me.
This quilt reinforced this by providing me with tons of new opportunities to learn - piecing triangles, matching points while seaming, and well, the whole random issue. I call 'random' an issue not because it's a problem, but because while making this quilt I learned that I need to push myself to just let go more often... or at least sometimes... or even just once as a start.
I admit that while making this quilt I struggled a lot with just trying to be random. In the end I settled on two guidelines to help me maintain a wee bit of structure. First that I did not want to place the same print side-by-side (because let's face it, I think we'd all struggle with that), and second, after much deliberation I did consult my Ruby Beholder (because people, sometimes value overrules random placement).
It's now at home with its new family. The super sweet and adorable recipient is my 3 month old niece. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that she grows up to love mermaids because I am a wee bit obsessed with the Sarah Jane print I used for the backing from Out to Sea.
Final Quilt Details:
- Quilt Name: Mermaid Triangle Quilt
- Finished Size: lap sized (67" x 76")
- Fabric: total hodgepodge of semi-solid prints from my stash to match the feature print (AMH's Sundials in Amethyst); Sarah Jane's Mermaid Play in Breeze (backing fabric)
- Pattern: Sewing Summit class taught by Jeni Baker from In Color Order
- Quilting: FMQ swirls in the background and a FWQ feature flower in the purple hexagon
To learn more about the making of this quilt, go here and here. This is my forth completed project for the Q4 2013 Finish A-Long - read more about my other goals here.
This is really beautiful - I love mermaids too and it is never too early to try and convert a new fan!
ReplyDeleteOh wow it is absolutely gorgeous! Congrats on a great finish. I actually laughed out loud when I read about your struggles with random. I have the same issues and decided that 2014 was goingg to be the year of randomness and improv for me! :-). Wish me luck!
ReplyDeleteIt's gorgeous!!! Love the colors! And the fact that you put a single hexagon in the random :)
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful quilt! I love the randomness! Definitely a layout I will have to try! Thanks for the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteLove it so much and the quilting takes the cake! I struggle with random, too, but am getting more and more drawn to asymmetry and the unexpected :)
ReplyDeleteWow this is such a gorgeous quilt! I love how saturated the colors are :)
ReplyDeleteLove the swirls quilting! Gorgeous job :)
ReplyDeleteGreat job! The quilted star within the swirls is a funny break! I like the colours and I have no problem with radom...;-)
ReplyDeleteOh goodness, this is gorgeous! Awesome job and I'm in love with the quilting!
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, love it. And I agree with you on controlled randomness. I can't do completely random either. The whole concept of just grabbing fabric out of a bag and sewing it together without placing it and pondering it first is completely foreign to me. But I'm okay with it.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beauty....I sure love your photography, too!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, beautiful - the quilt, the quilting, the fabrics, everything. You did great with Random!
ReplyDeleteThis quilt is gorgeous - you have one lucky niece!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE this - it's gorgeous. I want one! :)
ReplyDeleteI love this so much! The colours are just gorgeous, and the quilting... fantastic as always. I love the special quilting in the purple hexagon!
ReplyDeleteYour niece is going to love it forever, and as for the mermaids... really what little girl doesn't grow up to love mermaids!