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Thursday, November 8, 2012

Patchwork paralysis

I have been wanting to make a patchwork quilt forever. In fact I am determined to get cracking on one for Little P's bedroom which needs some serious TLC. I have been accumulating quilts that I love over on pinterest but instead of being inspired, I am feeling completely paralysed by the endless possibilities. And not just a little overwhelmed by the incredible talent out there. How beautiful is this quilt by Fresh Lemons?
Do I stick to a couple of colours or go crazy with loads? Do I use chintz, polka dots, gingham, big blousy florals, folksy, fifties, Scandi, stripes? Should I use white to give it a fresh modern look? Do I cut my pieces into squares, triangles or strips? Randomly placed or ordered? What about a log cabin or a bear's paw?
I've been trying to figure out what it is that makes a quilt work for me. I can't say I am any the wiser, though I do like the ones that have an unexpected colour or two thrown in to stop things getting too safe and matchy matchy. Ultimately some people just have an amazing eye for colour and pattern and that's probably not something you can imitate.
Fortunately Little P is more decisive and has told me in no uncertain terms that pink and green are her favourite colours. So pink and green it is. Maybe with a shot of red and a little light blue to keep things interesting. I think Lone Stars and the like can wait until I have more experience. I am going to start by cutting out some 5 inch squares and see what happens.

Enough stalling. How hard can it be?

4 comments:

  1. oooo go for it. I am in the middle of my first proper patchwork quilt - although my OH gave my a quilt kit for Christmas last year which i finished in the summer, but it wasn't patchwork. I'm following (loosely) Kirstie Allsopp's instructions in her Craft book for the stack and whack quilt - it's quite a good methis and I bet you'd find lots of guides via google. Good luck!

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    1. Good luck with your quilt. I will check out Kirstie's method. X

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  2. I'll be watching for updates with interest. I fully intended to make a patchwork quilt when pregnant with my first. Six and a half (and another child) later, all the equipment is still sitting in a cupboard untouched. I should really sort it out...

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    1. I am just the same. I get all the equipment then start feeling overwhelmed. Keep watching though I am determined to see this one through. X

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