Tuesday, May 27, 2014

the parachute quilt

I'm kind of hesitant to share this quilt today and I'm not quite sure why. Maybe because it feels so different from most of my work? Maybe because I pushed myself out of my comfort zone a lot while making it? I don't know, but I did like the challenge. And I do like the quilt. A lot.
The basic design idea came from a button down shirt. As I was working on it, the quilt took on a life of it's own and it ended up quite different from what I imagined it would be. That's all a part of the fun, though. It's all part of the process. I used a few Kona jelly rolls that I've had in my stash for years. It felt great to finally USE them.
This is probably the hardest "simple quilt" I've ever made. It looks like I just took a few strips of fabric and sewed them together. In reality, I spent a lot of time laying out so the colors until they were just right. Lots of math, lots of photos, lots of rearranging. It makes me smile, though, because it totally matches some of my daughter's recent artwork. The quilt will most likely end up on her bed because she needs another quilt. Ha!
In this photo the quilt reminded me of those great big parachutes we used to play with in gym class back in elementary school. And that's how a quilt is named. :)

The quilt top measures about 78" x 84".

74 comments:

Kari V. said...

This quilt is fantastic! The colors are quirky and perfect and it has so much energy. It will look great on your daughter's bed. And, I understand the good feeling from using up something from your stash on the perfect project. I'm glad you did share it!

Rachel said...

Stunning! Good for you for going out of your comfort zone.

RockinHairBabe said...

I love it! I cannot wait to see how you quilt it! It is already so FUN!

Rebekah said...

This is absolutely gorgeous!

Beate said...

This quilt top is great!I love the colours you chose and the way you combined them. It's really modern patchwork, gorgeous!
Beate

Unknown said...

This quilt is stunning, will you be selling the pattern? I don't think I can do the math and color arranging on my own:).

CitricSugar said...

It's really interesting and I completely understand the name! Do kids today even get parachute days in phys ed anymore?

And I think it's important for people to see others doing things that stretch them creatively and challenge their boundaries. It gives others power and the nudge to experiment and dabble themselves, making our entire community richer. So THANK YOU for sharing! Signed, All of Us. :-)

CapitolaQuilter said...

It has a very easy feel which makes sense that you worked hard to make that so. Totally reminds me of the parachutes from elementary school.

Unknown said...

Beautiful! Love it.

Sharon said...

So cool! Isn't it funny that some of the simplest looking quilts take so much planning? Love it!

tink's mom said...

It's the kind of quilt that makes you want to smile. A really fun quilt. Love it.

Beth said...

Great quilt--all the colors are welcome.

Quilter Kathy said...

It's amazing! A fun design and the name is perfect!

Brenda said...

it's because it's out of your comfort zone that you're uncomfortable sharing it -- but I think it's a great quilt on so many levels-- the colours, the design, the strong graphic quality. way to go!

Kim said...

Oh this sure is a bright and happy quilt! Love it.

Happy Sewing

Unknown said...

Wow! This quilt is fantastic! Like nothing I've ever seen before!

Vicki said...

Love everything about this quilt.

Anna said...

it's so pretty! I can't wait to see it all finished, too.

Anonymous said...

It is hard to do simple really well and you nailed it! I love this!

Jess (a.k.a. Rosie) said...

Absolutely beautiful!!! The colors are great :-) Cute name too... it does remind me of the parachutes in gym class.

asf said...

This is really, really gorgeous! Beautiful and it made me smile, very unique and lovely.

Kimberley said...

Love it! So bright and cheery. I had forgotten about those parachutes in the school gym. What memories!!!

Vera said...

Fun and different. It does look simple though, lol.

molly b quilts said...

I bet it looks great on a bed too. If I were your daughter I think I'd need a new quilt quite often too!

Unknown said...

I absolutely love this quilt! Great job... I love how quilts come together when they weren't meant to turn out that way... it almost seems so much better!

Sew Stitching Cute

Unknown said...

LOVE this quilt. It makes me laugh. Very cheerful!

Lucy | Charm About You said...

I know just what you mean and my kids love playing that parachute game - they sometimes throw plastic balls on top too. Well done challenging yourself and I'd love to see this monotone!

Diane E. Dodd said...

Makes me smile inside and out. So beautiful!!!

Anne said...

wow!!!!

Sarah Craig said...

Love it love it love it! It makes me smile!

Mary on Lake Pulaski said...

I know it's even more fabulous in person - because I SAW it!

Lynn said...

So different, so awesome!

Hannah said...

Looks like fun, but I can only imagine how long it took to get it that perfect. Great work, Amanda!!

Alycia~Quiltygirl said...

What a fun quilt! I am glad that you shared it!!

Julie said...

This is fantastic! I love quilting, but not the math. I'm glad you like it though. Keep it up!

Pamela said...

It's really quite pretty. It has dimension and reminds me of a little section of one of those vintage basket weave lawn chairs. Nice work!

Lucy Daniel said...

What a BEAUTIFUL quilt! LOVE all your colorful fabrics. Can't wait to see it quilted.

Knitwitsowls said...

this might just be my favourite off all the quilts you made!
Frankie
http://www.knitwits-owls.blogspot.co.uk/

margaret said...

another wow of quilt, looks so good with just the plain colours as for those straight lines, will a mere mortal like me ever achieve anything near to those.

charlotte said...

Very nice. Love the colors. Isn't it a good feeling when you can use up fabric that's been sitting around and end up liking the result?

Dee said...

You never cease to amaze me!!!! Just love it!😀

Carolyn said...

I absolutely love this one!!!

meredith said...

AMAZING!!! & sooooo striking!! All I can say is wow!! It is truly art! I have been wanting to make a solids quilt for quite a while, but for some reason I always shy away & I think it's what you said "the hardest simplest" :) It really is phenomenal!

Unknown said...

I love this one! Is a pattern forthcoming perchance?
(Pretty please...)

Unknown said...

How fun! I could see this same layout being used with printed jelly roll strips as well!

S Staum said...

This is wonderful, Amanda Jean!! Again you have inspired me to think outside the box! I think I need to get some jelly rolls!!

u keep sewing said...

Love it!! You have a very good eye for color placement.
Thanks for sharing. Very cheery quilt.

Moments from Montana :-)

mailergoat said...

I love it, it's gorgeous! Very Amish, in a non-black way (which has never been my favorite part of Amish quilting). I really adore this. Great job!!

Deonn said...

This is terrific! I believe it - sometimes the simplest quilts take the very most time - arranging, re-arranging, stewing, dreaming, making, re-making, re-arranging again. Your daughter will love it.

tahoe34 said...

Love it and can't wait to see how you quilt it. tutorial or pattern??

Malinda said...

I love your new quilt. Can't wait to see it quilted.

Anne / Springleaf Studios said...

I really LOVE it! I absolutely know what you mean about it being harder than it would seem. Isn't that always the way. Things that seem like they should be really easy to put together turn out to be much more involved. I'm doing one of those right now and my heart isn't in it.

sue said...

Just fabulous!

Empty Closet Quilting said...

I just love it, and I am enjoying happy memories of the parachutes we used in PE class.

Anonymous said...

This is a fantastic quilt!! I'm all about color and it's great how many different ones you have.

nela said...

this one is fantastic, i do absolutely love the feel of it and the way it connects with your daughters painting, as well as with it's surroundings... love

Patti said...

That's a very cool quilt. You have given me ideas for my Kona jelly rolls. So glad you stepped out of your comfort zone. Hugely satisfying for you I bet.

Heather said...

This is a great quilt ! I am so glad you shared it :)

PersimonDreams said...

so wonderful! And it doesn't look easy to me at all - great job making this look so fabulous!

Seamingly Sarah said...

I love it! The brillant colors seem like you, maybe you feel differently because of the lack of white?

Sharon said...

You must have had a great stash to come up with the colors for this one. Great quilt!

Carla said...

You are always thinking!!! This is so great, Amanda!

monique's mess said...

Striking!

Roxanne said...

I keep coming back to look at this vibrant quilt again and again. You made something amazing, AGAIN!

Rebeca said...

Ficou linda e diferente!Adoro o colorido!
Beijos

mjo said...

I would love to buy this pattern if it is available! Perfect for a picnic quilt as a wedding gift.

Unknown said...

In most cases things that look simple rarely actually are. Fabulous quilt all round. Plus i love that you snuck in one stripe with two colours. Brilliant move to quirkiness....

Unknown said...

In most cases things that look simple rarely actually are. Fabulous quilt all round. Plus i love that you snuck in one stripe with two colours. Brilliant move to quirkiness....

Unknown said...

This quilt is amazing my granddaughters would love it I just might have to try it.

sweeteelou said...

Beautiful...

Lori said...

It reminds me of the 70's- a bathing suit I use to have. I like the weave-y look of it.

RugratRodeos said...

Love, love, LOVE it!!!

Michelle@factotum-of-arts.com said...

I love it,reminds of a fabulous technicolor dream coat. Fantastic

Angella P said...

what measurements did you use to make this quilt? looks stunning