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Friday, July 29, 2011

cabbages and roses

Phew, I've had a busy week! Today has been (somewhat) free, so I decided to treat myself to a new project. I sooooo don't need a new project, but this stack of Cabbages and Roses fabric for Moda has been calling my name. (It's due to release in September, I believe.) I couldn't fall asleep last night because I was thinking of all the possibilities.
This morning I set up my tripod, took a quick photo and then cracked it open. Part of me really hates to open such a pretty stack of fabric! It's just so perfect when it's all intact. But as you will see, apparently I managed. :)

After much deliberating on a pattern, I decided to make large half square triangles. I cut 9" squares from the fat quarter and then made huge half square triangle blocks. The 9" square is dandy, because there is virtually NO waste from side to side (since a FQ is 18" x 22"), just a few strips of extra fabric and then the selvages at the end. I LOVE to maximize my fabric like that!

I also tried a super smart tip that I got from Tara earlier in the week. She told me that when she cut out her strips for the quilt along blocks, she cut them in pairs, right sides facing each other. Then, when it comes time to sew, the pairs are already lined up, no rearranging necessary. I tried that technique with these triangles and it worked like a charm. Thank you, Tara!
I started with the blues and greens.
Then I moved on to the pinks. They are my favorites! But really, all of these fabrics are just. so. sweet.
I'm not sure if I'm going to keep the colors separated, or perhaps put them all together? I'm going to have to do some playing around before I decide for sure. Either way, I know it will be pretty!

63 comments:

  1. Super lovely! I like the colors separated, it looks more effective, whereas the mixed almost looks unbalanced. But anywho, don't listen to me!
    I do want to thank you a million times over for introducing me to Connecting Threads thread-I bought some from your recommendation and HOLY MOLY! I love it!!! It feels great, it looks great, it was really, really inexpensive...THANK YOU!!!

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  2. Gorgeous! Isnt it amazing no matter how long you quilt you can still learn something new every day?

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  3. Mix them all up! They compliment each other so beautifully! :-)

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  4. Anonymous7:05 PM

    ah, pant, pant, pant, i'm definitely ordering a tower of these next week. thanks so much for blogging about this new fabric. i love the pics and will probably love the fabric even more.

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  5. With such gorgeous fabrics, I'm not sure your can go wrong either way!!

    Deb from clutteredquilter.blogspot.com

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  6. Cabbage & Roses is such a nice mix of fabrics and the larger HST allow them to sing. most excellent.

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  7. ooh it's so pretty! you can never go wrong with half square triangles! have fun playing!

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  8. Pretty! Can't wait to see how the HSTs are laid out when you decide.

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  9. so lovely! good luck choosing whether or not to mix them...it may just come down to how big you want it...either way, it is sure to make you smile. Happy Friday to you! Smiles~Beth

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  10. I really need you along when I decide to make something. I'm never quite sure of what fabrics to pick or how the size of pattern should relate to each other. Yours are always so cute!

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  11. I've been drooling over these since we saw it in the catalog at work when we were trying to pick collections to order! It's SOOOO pretty and I love what you've done. I find it so difficult to break open FQ bundles so bravo! hehe

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  12. So Pretty! I love the HST's...it works so well with this fabric. I can't wait to get some of that fabric!

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  13. Pretty fabric. I think I like the colors separated better. But it is going to look great!

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  14. These fabrics are just wonderful! LOVE the colors!!

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  15. Ooo pretty! Call me crazy but I kind of like them separated... Just an opinion.

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  16. Anonymous8:31 PM

    Hey Amanda,

    I quite like the randomness picture, as I for one cannot do random layouts.

    It will be interesting to see what you final choice is and so glad you are still blogging!!!! :-)))))

    Angella from Australia

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  17. Love, love, LOVE those fabrics! Might have to make some room in my budget to buy them. Simply beautiful. I love them sewn together in the triangles, but triangles scare me to be quite honest. Maybe I'll get up the nerve to try them again soon though, cause I love what you are doing with them!

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  18. Like a rose garden,pretty!!

    I am having a giveaway over on my blog! Here is the link:

    http://joyineverythingthruhim.blogspot.com/2011/07/celebrating-yes-still-and-who-wouldnt.html

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  19. That Tara is so smart! I really love all the pinks together in one... but I'm sure that no matter how you choose to lay it out, it will be great!

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  20. Oh, I know what you mean about not being able to "unwrap" the stack of FQ's. I bought a bundle of fabrics from Keepsake not too long ago and they sat "on display" for quite a while before I even opened them!!
    Gorgeous, gorgeous fabrics. Maybe DH will buy me some for our anniversary (to go with my new sewing machine, hint, hint!!)

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  21. What a great way to maximize the pieces you can get out of fat quarters! I also love Tara's tip - so clever, why didn't I think of doing that. Such a pretty stack of fabrics you have there. I'm happy to see you're using them. Also love seeing the HST all mixed up. Such a fun project to be working on!

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  22. Great looking fabrics and blocks! I know what you mean about having a hard time opening those fat quarter stacks. I'm the same way. Same with jelly rolls! LOL. I'm such a dork!

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  23. Very sweet. And really, what's one more WIP, right? :) You're so speedy.

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  24. This quilt is going to be stunning!! Love the fabrics!
    P

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  25. roccagal10:08 PM

    Hello Amanda-jean,I have been reading your blog for about one year and I LOVE it! I have never commented b4 but after your post on the 21st I have to say I need to comment! I am so sorry for all those negative people and I hope that you know they are the minority. There are so many of us who just love and appreciate all the effort you put into this wonderful blog. You succeed in sharing tips, inspiration and just being you . Please do not let the negativity bring you down-you are FABULOUS!!!!

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  26. Just so yummy...I love these fabrics and always love the standards like HSts or Flying Geese. They always come through.

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  27. I've been eying that line too = gorgeous!

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  28. Anonymous11:33 PM

    Can't say I blame for starting a new project with those beauties. I really like the blues and pinks . . . separated. No together. No separated. That's it - separated!

    Thanks - Pam

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  29. Beautiful fabric, and you really got a lot done. It's going to be a stunner!

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  30. Hmmm...thinking I deserve this bundle too since I survived the last week at work. Thanks for sharing!
    Toni
    www.lifeinapinkbunnysuit.com

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  31. Oohh! I have so got to get me some of that! I love Cabbages and Roses fabric!

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  32. Great, Beautiful fabric! I can see it made into so many things! I will have to keep my eyes open for this collection. Hugs - Sharon B
    http://sewn-seabees-crafty-and-vintage-musin.blogspot.com/

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  33. Looks like it will be lovely.....and BIG (if you used all those fat quarters, that is.) Can hardly wait to see it all done!

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  34. Oooooooooooo! Gorgeous!! I love the simplicity with the triangles because it really shows off the line. Good job! I love it!

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  35. I shy away from triangles and yet you jump right in with them. I have to get over my fear of the bias, lol. Thanks for the tips you and Tara shared. I can't wait to see which route(s) you go with your HSTs. I have been giddily sewing up combos for my 36 block QAL. I am SO delighted with how they are coming out and really proud of myself for sticking within the bounds of my stash.

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  36. These fabrics are simply gorgeous! I like them separated also.

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  37. Gorgeous fabrics, no wonder you couldn't sleep. I really like the colours mixed. Jxo

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  38. Beautiful. I'm sure you'll have more to share. Happy quilting.

    Cassy from Best Online Guitar Lessons

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  39. Beautiful!
    I like the pinks and blues in their own quilts.

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  40. Your project is looking so beautiful! LOVE these fabrics, so I think I'll have to get some of them! I love the color mix of yors!
    Thanks for sharing :o)
    Laila

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  41. Gorgeous fabrics and I love that you maxamized what you had. HST are so fun and the possibilities are endless.

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  42. You are quite speedy!! What a beautiful line, love the simplicity. I like them mixed I think.

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  43. Anonymous2:03 PM

    Thanks for blogging!! Many of us out here appreciate it (a LOT) and may not always remember to comment and tell you. It's so inspiring to see what everyone else is doing. Keep up the good work.
    Jennifer

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  44. I LOVE those fabrics! I had no idea what to do with them, I just WANTED them! :) Thanks for the ideas! Again!
    Candice
    ps: I went to Connecting Threads and bought all the sets of thread when they were on sale since that is one thing I am sadly lacking - not anymore! I'm so excited! Thank you for the heads up!

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  45. Beautiful fabric!
    Lovely half square triangles!
    Can't wait to see what you do with them!

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  46. Ooh, I really love those colors! Very sweet! I've been checking out your tutorials. Thanks for all your work on them. Soooo helpful and inspiring. I really like the crazy curve quilt. Awesome!

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  47. Such lovely fabric! Can't wait to see how this one will turn out. Thanks for the time saving tip on cutting out the triangles. Anything that saves time adds up:)

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  48. Anonymous9:10 PM

    Cute fabric, and love your triangles! Maybe I should send you the fabric I have that I can't make anything out of because it's too cute for me to use. You have a lot more courage than I do! :) Have a great weekend!

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  49. Love the fabric and the tip. Thanks!

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  50. I feel like I should frequent your blog less. Not because I don't like you, but because every time that I visit, I come away with a new project idea! My beautiful stack of Tula Pink Parisville is currently waiting for my attention, and I think I could use this to do huge pinwheel blocks. Thanks Amanda!

    PS--This would be a great tutorial size for beginners doing HST for the first time (aka--ME)!

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  51. i really love these soft colors. i think they look great integrated.

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  52. So pretty! Can't wait to see what you decide on!

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  53. Who would have thought such cuteness could come of cabbages? haha. I like how you kept the color sets together. Looking forward to seeing the finished product! :)

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  54. Oh my gosh! I remember seeing that company and their fabrics through two home decor books I picked up a few years ago and I fell in love with their style. I had no idea they had a fabric line they sold in the US! Thanks for sharing!

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  55. Oooh, I especially love the pinks also. Great idea to use large triangles- that way you don't cut up the pretties. And the quilt comes together much faster, too! =)

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  56. Anonymous7:16 AM

    Glad your blog is still here! You inspired me from the beginning with your simple and clear instructions and beautiful pictures of delicious fabric. Thanks again for doing what you do.

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  57. I have the hardest time taking the twill tape off stacks of gorgeous fabric too! I consider them excellent decorations in my sewing room! However...these are beautiful and the HSTs was a genius idea. Wow, I love those stripes. Oh, and BTW, 36-patch quiltalong is turning out to be the best therapy for me. For one reason, I'm really loving the way the blocks come together. And for the second reason, I think about you the whole time I'm sewing. Thanks for everything, Friend!

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  58. that's a very pretty collection! i like both ways you have them laid out - i don't think you can go wrong with the way you decide to do them!

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  59. Oooh, I LOVE those fabrics. Your quilt looks like it's going to be beautiful. If Moda would ever ship my order, I have that stack coming here too. Can't wait to see your finished quilt!

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  60. Ive been admiring these fabrics

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  61. These look so yummy! I love how you folded them and made them look like you had already made a beautiful quilt top. What a great way to audition them!
    ~a

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  62. Gorgeous creation and fabrics are best selection and I like that you maxamized what you had. I like the pinks and blues in their own quilts.

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  63. those colors are so soft and sweet.

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