Wednesday 24 March 2021

'flowers on her fence' quilt

 




- Saint Croix Collection by Julie Wallace for Yuwa










- not too much left of that skirt now! 










Another project started. Hm-m-m- too many ideas! I've got terribly sidetracked this week looking at lots of improv ideas and quilts made from recycled fabrics. This little improv quilt is totally inspired by the artist Heidi Parkes, she has such an interesting approach to quiltmaking. 

I do love a simple quilt that allows you to explore your creativity. I've made 12" rail fence blocks in three colours, mixing cottons with assorted denim. 
I started out with a metre or so of the cream Yuwa floral that I had stuffed away in the wardrobe for over 10 years. I had purchased it at a closing down sale but was never quite sure what to do with it. Finally, I had a reason to use it and it became my focus for this.
Super excited to then team it up with my husband's old jeans and a denim skirt, an op shop find years ago! 
I also had a good sized piece of the yummy gold/mustard solid, and when I ran out of that fabric I simply continued on with something similar.  You will notice too there are several shades of denim, all adds to the interest, don't you think?

When I'm piecing, I'm normally press to one side, the darkest side, but luckily about 1/2 way through I remembered that tip about opening out denim seams. It certainly makes joining smoother and not so bulky. . . and I only broke one two needles! 
Finished size 60" x53". 

I did find I couldn't be quite as carefree as Heidi was in her lovely quilt, it has a real Gees Bend look about it. Still, I went as wonky as I was comfortable with. And many thanks to Heidi for all her +ve encouragement with this project of mine. I've downloaded the pattern for her Vignettes quilt which will take me right outta my comfort zone I'm sure, but I'm looking forward to the challenge! 

Until next time, Linda

10 comments:

pandchintz said...

Looks fab Linda! Great use for the floral and to team it with the denims and mustard is perfect. And love the name!

Janie said...

Flowers on the Fence! Looks like a fun experiment and a great utility quilt. When I think of utility quilts I think of farm house style quilts, not prissy but they sure do the job and give lots of artist flair.
That is where my love of quilts started. Thanks for the inspiration Linda.

Anorina @SameliasMum said...

Looks like you've had a lot of fun constructing this new quilt. Love the combo of the mustard and denim and florals.

Cynthia@wabi-sabi-quilts said...

Oh this is just terrific - great way to use that lovely floral. I love the mix of denims too, and the mustard contrasts with the sweetness of the flowers. Perfectly named quilt too!

Gemini Jen NZ said...

That is a vey cool way to repurpose some old denim and it looks so effective with these fabrics and colours - great job!

FlourishingPalms said...

What a nice way to experiment with a sort of free-form design and upcycled fabrics. When we downsized, I donated more than 20 pairs of blue jeans I'd saved over the years. How I'm wishing I had them now! So many neat things to do with them, including the pouff that Tara Glassonbury recently designed. Keep playing. It's the best way to come up with new ideas.

Karen S said...

Lovely fabric combination. Great way to use that skirt.
Shame about the needles but that's the way it goes with denim.

Rebecca Grace said...

What a lovely combination! You know, these days it wouldn't surprise me to see that skirt in a fashion magazine -- the way it looks now, with all the fabric removed and only a spiderweb of seams left!

Kaja said...

I love this, Linda, especially the inclusion of the denim. The embroidery matches your printed fabrics so well it looks as if they were made for each other.

LA Paylor said...

I liked the skirt to start with!!! I thought how smart of her to make that. Then I saw how you cut it and used the pieces, so clever. I cut up an old beaded silk pants once but haven't used them in anything yet. The pants were wonderful but uncomfortable and bulky. It's a waste not to use such fabric in something though!