Friday, May 13, 2011

"Folding Screen" - Blogger's Quilt Festival


Amy's Creative Side

Hooray!  The Blogger's Quilt Festival is here again!  And I finished my latest quilt just in time. 


It's called "Folding Screen," because that was what I was going for... a Japanese folding or rice paper screen.


Originally, I had contemplated several different patterns for this group of fabrics that I collected over time, but they all involved cutting up the fabrics too small to make good use of all of the bold prints. 


So, I took a different (for me) tactic and thought about what kind of pattern I could come up with that involved large pieces, including the panel and a bunch of fat quarters.  I chose grey for the "structure" of the folding screen because it worked well with all of the purples and pinks and I thought that black would be too much.


The fabrics themselves led me to the idea of trying to recreate the geometry of a folding screen.  And the fabrics also dictated the quilting designs as well.  I pulled the design from the swirls in the water in this fabric.




Here it is from the back...
 


Someone's always trying to get into my photo shoots.


This quilt has really helped me see that a quilt does not have to be complicated to be pretty and that the fabrics should really dictate a quilt.  That probably doesn't sound like much of a revelation, but I have a way of complicating things when left to my own devices.  :) 


The final quilt is 88" by 104" or roughly for a queen-size bed.  I made it for my sister and her husband and hope they'll enjoy it for years to come.  And I hope YOU enjoy the rest of the Blogger's Quilt Festival!


I'll also be linking this up to many of my favorite Link Parties, including Met Monday!  Enjoy!

34 comments:

rome said...

We will love it and give it a very good home, where it will be used well! THANK YOU!! It's gorgeous!

Elizabeth Dackson said...

Wow, Cecily, this quilt is really striking, I just love what you did with it. Simple yet stunning, I say. I especially love the way you quilted it. Fantastic!

Stray Stitches (Linda G) said...

Your quilt is truly stunning! Even with it's simplicity, it still looks quite elegant. Beautiful!

floribunda said...

Wow -- what a great way to use that large panel! The quilt is beautiful.

Jane said...

Really lovely!

Venus de Hilo said...

What a lovely quilt! I have a stash of some of those fabrics that I bought to be my "first project of 2011"... hah! They are all still in a bin in the closet. You have inspired to get with finishing up some of the WIPs so I can make something luscious from them. Thanks for the inspiration!

Joanna @ ShapeMoth said...

Looks amazing :) I'm planning a quilt in similar colours to yours, but still waiting for fabric (started already some part cause I had a FQ bundle of fabric I chose, but that's not enough).
Stoping by from BQF :)

Deborah OHare said...

A beautiful quilt!
Deborah

Janet said...

It's a lovely quilt, the colours are gorgeous and I think you achieved what you set out to do.

Teje Karjalainen said...

Hello! You have made really wonderful quilt and your fabrics are unique and has beautiful colours! I love the pattern with different size of squares! Also your photos are fantastic!

Karen S said...

What a great use of a panel. Love the kitty too!

Melissa said...

Cecily,

This is a absolutely stunning quilt. I love it...I also like how it photographs in the dappled light of the trees.

I wanted to let you know that I posted about your fabulous journal and wrote a thank you when I got it but it was when you were busy so I am sure you missed it. I just want you to know that I am not ungrateful.

In fact, on Thursday the teenager who was watching my girls lusted it over it. :)

http://thosenorthernskies.blogspot.com/2011/04/gorgeous-pinata-snowman-finger-puppets.html

Jolanda said...

Beautiful quilt! Love the colors!

stitchinpenny said...

I love your quilt. The fabrics did make this quilt.

Katie B said...

A stunning quilt! I love the fabrics and the way you quilted it.

Benta AtSLIKstitches said...

what a lovely, 'grown up' quilt, and the perfect name

Eileen said...

This is so beautiful. Love that you kept the lovely pieces big and your layout sets them of fabulously. Thanks for sharing and have a great day

Janet said...

This is quite beautiful! I love your fabric choices and your quilting.

Karen said...

Great quilt. Your design has really allowed you to showcase these beautiful fabrics. Love the quilting, too!

Christie describeHappy said...

I'm so glad you finished this one.. .it's really so cool! The pattern the fabrics, but especially the quilting you did. Love the swishing to and fro! Great work!

Melinda said...

I like your point that fabrics dictate a quilt. You can't force it. And if you try, it's just not going to work. But your quilt definitely works. Love the piece with the cranes.

Naturally Carol said...

Your lovely quilt looks right at home in the shade outside..what a lovely place to display it..it looks like a flower garden!

Julie Fukuda said...

How great that those Japanese design prints were coordinated enough to put into one quilt. That iis a very nice finish. (and a cute kitty too)

Sarcastic Quilter said...

Beautiful and I think the name is perfect. You've achieved the look you were going for.

quilthexle said...

Oh I remember when you posted about this quilt some time ago (it was not finished yet). It is wonderful, beautiful, lovely! I would like to be your sister ;-)))

Unknown said...

Gorgeous quilt! I love all the purples!

Cat said...

Your quilt turned out amazing! Love the cranes...a stunning focal point for sure :)

xx Cat brideblu

felicity said...

Sometimes simple is the way to go - great choice here. And I love the quilting; it's perfect. Happy BQF!

CHRIS said...

Great quilt love your fabrics and the photo shots are just lovely too. Chris

Isisjem said...

This is a gorgeous design - you have really show cased the fabrics. I love the colours too. Even though purple is one of my favourite colours it's rare to see it showcased so well in quilting. I think the quilting is really fun too.

Lis Harwood said...

Your quilt is absolutely gorgeous. I have something of a passion for Japanese fabrics and adore the way you have used them. Love it.

Unknown said...

What a lovely quilt. The grey was the perfect choice it gives the right balance without competing with the other fabrics.

Heidi Grohs said...

Oh my!!!

Beautiful. Definitely would be out of the box for me too! Turned out fabulous. Thanks for sharing!

Unknown said...

This is beautiful.. and I love the name.. it looks just like a folding screen! You are amazing! Thanks for sharing with the Pink Hippo Party!