Wednesday, April 09, 2008

A new finish for an old top!

I made this quilt top about 6 or 7 years ago. The pattern was in an AU Patchwork and Quilting magazine (I think the pattern name was Darcy Days) and was kind of a study in color. You found a fabric with a large print and lots of color. Then for the other fabrics in the quilt (whether they were bought or in your stash) you only used the little circle registration marks on the print fabric selvage to pick from. (And am I mad I didn't save my selvage edge now to put on the back!)

It really opened my eyes to how many colors are in a print fabric that you "don't see". And how well some of those colors go, even if you don't they do at first. And when I picked fabrics I bought from the sale table at a LQS and didn't pay attention to design, just color. Some of the uglies I bought and put in this top are now some of my favorite fabrics!

The color scheme is a bit 70's-ish, but I really like how this top came out! And I finally got it quilted and bound!

You should all try this sometime - it really was fun and a great learning tool!

16 comments from wonderful readers:

*karendianne. said...

Totally excellent point!

Zegi said...

That is an awesome quilt! You should be so proud :)

Anonymous said...

Love the quilt! And I never looked at the bar on the fabric. Thank you for the insight :o)

McIrish Annie said...

I try to save the bar with the little dots and the name of the fabric manufacturer, the name of the designer and the name of the fabric if it is there. Especially if I buy yardage. It's soo great to use when looking for coordinating fabrics or if,(ok WHEN) I run out I can use this info to shop online..

This is a great little quilt. I don't think it looks 70ish!

Wendy said...

I should pay more attention to those little dots on the edge of fabrics. I always look at them and don't think about them again.
Your quilt is great.

Libby said...

What a great way to build a quilt - a wonderful way to help me stop using coordinates from the same line just because they match *s*

Elaine Adair said...

Great quilt and it's FINISHED! And a good tip on the selvage - I always look at it, for hints of coordinating fabric.

Three Birds Inspired said...

Very pretty quilt! I also look at the selvage when choosing fabrics. It really is a great help.

Helen in the UK said...

Congrats on your finish. Great idea for choosing a quilt colour scheme :)

Finn said...

It's a pretty quilt Dawn, you did a great job of the challenge of matching. Good tip also on using those dots to your advantage. Hugs, Finn

Chocolate Cat said...

Sounds like lots of fun, will put it in my 'must do one day' list!! Is a beautiful quilt.

Unknown said...

I have never thought about those dots I will study them now, thanks for the information.

MARCIE said...

Wonderful design and so scrappy!

Alice Grace said...

How beautiful! Thanks for the tip on the selvidges! Seems like everytime I see a great quilting blog like yours I get new inspiration! I am just learning, so have a long way to go!

May Kristin said...

Thank you for the tip! I've never used the "dot's" on the selvage as a guide for my colour-choices!

Karen said...

The little dot tricks is a good idea and I have used it a few times. Great quilt top.