Tuesday, February 1, 2011

January Challenge Project

Stephanie from Peas in a Pod and I are working through Jean Wells' book Intuitive Color and Design. We are going to try to do one exercise a month from the book and started with the first exercise for January.

Stephanie and I both started with these fabrics.


All Kona solids, a few greens, a few neutrals and a zinger - the plum.

I started by piecing a unit.


Then I pieced another.


And I continued this way until I got a strip.


It is not straight but it is about the right length. I like that it isn't straight and I will just go with this curve.

Then my camera batteries died and I didn't want to wait for them to recharge before continuing, so I just put them on the charger and kept sewing.


By the time they were charged, I had the center together. My original plan was to add a few borders to this, square it up and call it done. Then I got my copy of Word Play Quilts by Tonya Ricucci.


This book is the kind of book I love. It is heavy on technique with only a few projects. She explains in detail how to make each letter, but gives no specific measurements - awesome! There are lots of diagrams so you really don't even need to read the text to make a letter. Back to my project.

I just had to make some letters after getting this book and I already had the fabrics for my challenge project out. So I made a few letters.


Then I pieced them together.


Then I added my word to the bottom of my center and bordered the whole thing. Voila!


I call this my Fun Quilt. I am embellishing this with hand stitching, so I am not finished.


Here is a detail shot of the stitching. I am using a 12 wt. Sulky Blendables variegated thread. The colors range from light purple to dark plum and light gray to almost black.


I am thoroughly enjoying the "embellishing with stitch" process so I am taking my time with it. When I finish I plan to do a traditional binding with the dark gray border fabric. The quilt will end up being about 14" by 20". The letters are between 3" and 3.5" tall.

If you haven't already done so, go check out what Stephanie made with the same fabrics. You won't be sorry. She did an awesome job! We have already chosen our next challenge project for February. We will both post about what we make this month on or about March 1st.

6 comments:

Mama Pea said...

Oh. Wow! I totally LOVE IT! (1) I didn't know that you were working with the same fabrics! I love that! (2) That's what I'm talking about trying to be more "abstract" next time. I just love it! (3) the way you incorporated the word FUN was brilliant. (4) Your embellishing stitch is great. Would you do a little tutorial on how you do it sometime? Do you do it line a quilting stitch or poke up and down? You have my curiosity up. I can't wait to post the link to your work tomorrow! Can I "pirate" one of your photos to give people a sneak peek to tempt them to come over and look? Just fantastic.

Laurie said...

I love this!!! especially the stitching! You are an inspiration :)

Linda said...

Fun is right! Or stunning as well! I love how the hand stitching really brings the project to life!!

Sandy H said...

I love this quilt! Love the way you put the strips together, did the word, the quilting...everything! Great colors too. All I can say is "mmmmmmmm."

Tonya Ricucci said...

so glad you like the book! I'm partial to technique and few/no projects too!

Anonymous said...

Love your "exercise " quilt. Stephanie hace me your addy negarse I love to read about the creative process... And noƩ besides Jan Well's I'll have to get Tonya's . Oh my!