Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Echino playtime

About two weeks ago, I started playing with my Echino fabrics by making a couple of slightly wonky framed blocks in a simple log cabin style. Then I caught a nasty cold, which put me in bed for a week, except for the half-days when I absolutely had to drag myself to work. I finally felt up for some sewing this past weekend, and I made another ten blocks, for a total of a dozen:



I haven't planned my next step yet--after all, it's called improv piecing for a reason, right? One possibility would be to set the blocks in a close configuration, for a smaller wall quilt:


I'll probably end up starting with a more open arrangement, however. As I've mentioned before, I often develop quilts through an improvisational approach, in which I start with a few main design elements (in this case, the twelve blocks thus far), figure out a rough placement that offers some visual excitement, and then fill in the space left in between. Here's one possibility that I like:


Here's another, tighter option that's a little more regular and structured, but that still offers plenty of room for creative decisions:


As you can see with all three ideas thus far, I like that central aqua blue zig-zag in some form or another as a visual anchor. Whether it really needs to run all the way from top to bottom, I'm not so sure yet, but it will definitely be a feature of this quilt.

Finally, here's the wreckage left behind on my sewing table after just a few hours of piecing:


Happy sewing, everyone!

7 comments:

  1. Love the bright colours framing the Echino - perfect!

    I'd be inclined to choose the option that features that great blue zig zag made by the frames!

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  2. So cheery and fun! I like the blue zig zag, too.

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  3. Beautiful colours! I'll be interested to see how it turns out. Thanks for sharing.

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  4. Lovely bright fresh colours, my stash seems to be more autumn colours... I need bright... jealous!!

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  5. This really feels like Spring to me! Just what I need after weeks of rain/snow!

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  6. Thanks for your comments, everyone, and for your advice! I've decided (I think) to start with the most open arrangement, but as I fill in, I'll be extending the blue zig-zag so that it's more prominent than at the moment. I'm also happy about the bright spring colors after a long, rainy, and dreary winter. Of course, here in Vancouver we're likely to have a long, rainy, and dreary spring as well, but that's precisely why I need to make this quilt. Actually, it's sunny at the moment, and the days are so much longer than they were a few scant weeks ago, so it does feel as if spring is here.

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