Lydia’s Plus Quilt {Making the Top}
I’ve been working away on this little quilt, determined to finish it before the year is over. Using the fabrics from this post, and adding a few more, plus some low volume, I’ve come up with this for the entire quilt. I feel like I’ve been buying fabric like a crazy woman for the past few years, and now I just need to sew. Take, for example, the fact that the above stack is the fabric after I’ve cut out the whole quilt top…
I made a coloring chart in Electric Quilt 7, so I’ve been sewing the quilt row by row, instead of trying to arrange the pieces after it’s cut. So far, I’m loving the way it’s worked out!
And, here’s the quilt, about half way done. I think I like it, though, I am a little worried that the Cotton + Steel prints are too saturated for the rest of the quilt. I converted the photo to black and white to see how the color values look, and I’m kind of struggling:
Are the darker values too random? I don’t really want to take too much apart, but I don’t want to make a whole quilt and be dissatisfied with it either. I think maybe I just need to work on placement a little more carefully for the remainder of the quilt.
Now, for the real question, is this kind of quilt something you’d like to make? I was thinking a sort of mini pattern/quilt along – with a coloring sheet in multiple bed sizes? It is a pretty easy quilt and would work for a scrappy quilt too. Thoughts?
Well, FWIW, I always used to be really careful to make quilts that had the same value. But I always loved other people’s more. Then I twigged – it is the higher saturated pops of colour that make a colourway for me. So I would leave it, the Cotton & Steel gives it some depth and are the perfect colours, just stronger. Of course, if you think it will drive YOU nuts then that’s a different stort! It will be beautiful whatever you decide.
I love plus quilts, and am waiting for an excuse to make one! I personally like the areas of saturated colour – as long as you achieve balance throughout the quilt. It makes some colours recede while others pop, which is a nice effect. It also makes the quilt look a little more modern … which may not be what you are going for?
I agree with Lynz, the pops of colour add interest. And for a little one, they will “see” the plus signs. Funny about doing the Plus sign, my grandson wanted to make something for his parents for Christmas and we made a pillow cover using the same pattern from fabrics he picked out!
It looks gorgeous! I like drawing and my girls would love to help me! Think this pattern is going on the list 🙂
I love it just the way it is. Perfect!!
Yes! I would love to take some of my tons of scraps and make one of these quilts…I don’t understand all this about color value…I’ve signed up for a color class, but in the meantime, I’m sure I could find some scraps that would work great! Let’s go for it!
You always have the best color combos! I love how it’s coming together:)
I love it Jennie! Honestly the way I figure out if I need to make color adjustments is to look at it cross-eyed :). When I did that, I think it looks great! Even though you may have some colorful prints close or even touching, your eye sees the colors in different stages, if that makes sense. I see the aqua and pink first, then the purple, then the more low volume prints. Keep cruising, it is beautiful!
Your color choices are perfect. Quilts need a pop of color. Something to draw the eye in. I have babe wanting to make a plus quilt. A quilt along would be fun.
I really like the way this is turning out; I think I’ll have to reconsider doing one of these!
Love the colours. Would love your pattern. Got to use up my scraps
Love the colors and the color placement . I don’t think the C&S is too saturated at all. I like what it ads to the quilt. It is a great pattern.
I too love the way it looks and wouldn’t change it at all. Also I’ve been wanting to make a small plus quilt and would love to sew along if you start a sew along!
Yes, this is a quilt I would make! I think the pops of color look good. I have always been wary of making a “scrap” quilt & making sure it looks good, I’m not very good with lots of color, I do better with a managed color scheme, but I really want to get out of my comfort zone & try something like this!! Yours is beautiful!
The saturated colours make your quilt top sing. I love it as it is so far!
I would love to do a sew a long of this quilt! Have always wanted to make one of these and following along would make it happen! Love your colors!
Its a lovely quilt – I made a plus mini, but have a full-sized plus quilt on my wish list.