Urban-Inspired Quilting

A few months ago, during the last Blogger's Quilt Festival, I won a $20 gift certificate to Pink Chalk Fabrics (an online fabric store).  I loved all of their fabrics and just could not decide what to get and never got around to using the gift certificate.  The other day I remembered it and started hunting on their site again and came across this book:

City Quilts, by Cherri House.

I ordered it and I am in love.  It pretty much perfectly marries my two loves - quilting and urban planning.  It has 12 patterns in it, but also tons of great tips on designing your own quilts, choosing color palettes, and particularly promotes the use of solid-color fabrics.

Now I have to admit, prior to acquiring this book I had no interest in solids other than for sashing or to set off a whole bunch of crazy prints.  But after pouring over this book I think that I may be starting a new chapter in my quilting adventures.

Literally four days after this book came in the mail I ordered a butt-load of solids from Hancock's of Paducah and already have a plan for them.

This is a version of one of the patterns in the book called City Tracks.  Cherri made her version of in some beautiful reds and oranges.  For some reason I can't get past this grouping of colors.  I was inspired by the colors of glass found on high-rises and sort of grey smoggy colors of late winter in Chicago.

I still have to finish my folding screen quilt, but this is what I'll be working on next.  In the meantime, I think the book is fantastic and inspiring.  Happy quilting!