Friday, November 14, 2014

doe quilt top

Welcome to finish it up Friday!

Yesterday afternoon I started making a contact print pillow (using the tutorial here). I love the pattern because it is simple and quick. Plus, it is a great way to showcase one mini charm pack. I made pieces for the envelope backing before I even assembled the pillow top, so I would feel like I was on the ball when I got to that stage. What can I say? I like to shake things up. :)
The fabric is Doe, by Carolyn Friedlander, which will be released in December. This is two weeks in a row that I've used new fabric. It feels great! (However, I'm not convinced that I've turned over a new leaf quite yet...)

At some point after I pieced the pillow top, I thought, "wouldn't this look great floating on a big solid background?" So I pulled out a yard of iron colored Kona cotton and tried it out.
Yep! Turns out it looks great floating on a sea of grey! I guess I didn't need those pillow backing pieces after all. (Figures, right???)
This palette is quite out of my comfort zone and I had doubts about it when I was laying things out. But, now that it's sewn up, I really like it! It's good to stretch yourself.
I like how the wide borders give this piece a gallery feel. Of course the quilting is going to make or break the quilt. (No pressure there!) Hopefully I can execute the fuzzy plans I have brewing in my head. The quilt top measures 42 1/2" x 43".

I love the simplicity of this project so very much. I also like how this project took a few unexpected turns along the way. It's keeps things interesting when a project takes you on a detour or two! Love that!

Now it's your turn! Please link up your finishes for the week. Thanks for joining me for finish it up Friday!

34 comments:

DaisyLiz said...

WOW! This quilt is one of my favorite Doe projects I've seen so far. I love it!

Nicole said...

From pillow top to quilt top! I like how you went with the flow. Can't wait to see how you quilt it. The pops of orange are very effective! Have a great weekend!

alison@the chainpiecer said...

Great way to show off a collection.

Lorna McMahon said...

I can hardly believe you resisted the urge to make another cushion cover.... But this looks fabulous! Can't wait to see how you decide to quilt this little beauty!

Angie in SoCal said...

You make the simple look so sophisticated. Always look forward to see what you come up with, Amanda. Super!

Anonymous said...

Can't wait to see how you quilt this!
Carole @ From My Carolina Home

Snowcatcher said...

I've been cutting a bunch of leftovers into postage stamps but didn't have a plan. Your project has given me some great inspiration. Thank you!

Terri said...

Cool project! How fun to get to play with new fabric before it's available to everyone else. Love the way your patchwork looks on the gray. That's funny about your pillow backings - sounds like something I would do: work backwards to get ahead and then change direction mid-way through.

I'm so happy to be able to share a patchwork finish with you this week! (which I really love)

Mina said...

I am really looking forward to Doe

Anonymous said...

Hi! Looks fantastic! What a great idea! I love your pillow also - thank you for the tutorial! This would be great pattern for my fabric-sampler quilt. x Teje

Anonymous said...

Oh, this is brilliant! I can't wait to see how you quilt it.

Svetlana said...

oooh, I so love where this is going. I'm sure it will be another stunner.

kay said...

Love this! I have made so many pillow tops that I never finished, because I hate doing the back side. Great idea to do the back first to get it out of the way! (Or just make it into a quilt. I like that too :)

Anonymous said...

This is really pretty. Very modern and crisp. So nice!

Lara B. said...

It really does have a gallery feel to it - really great way to display a charm pack of modern fabrics!

Unknown said...

Already it looks great, I know once you do the quilting it will look beautiful!

Lucy | Charm About You said...

It looks fantastic! Lovely with the grey and I do hope that stripe is going to be the binding :)

Kelli Fannin Quilts said...

I love it! It looks so clean. Yummy!

Christine S said...

Doe looks as awesome as Botanics!

a maidenhair fern said...

I'm so in love with this line. I just cut into mine . . . airplane quilt. Love yours!!!

RugratRodeos said...

Beautiful! I cant wait to see the quilting.

Debbie said...

Lovely. I can hardly wait for this line to come out!

Serena @ Sewgiving said...

What a great way to use up scraps from a favourite quilt ... Snap shot memory pillow :)

Elaine/Muddling Through said...

I love it when ideas pop into your head like that. It happens pretty often around here. Muddling, you know. ;)

Carie @ Space for the Butterflies said...

Wow the grey really makes the colours pop in the contact sheet, especially the orangey ones. I love it, and somehow I suspect you'll find a use for the pillow backing before too long!

Jessica Christensen said...

I LIKE it!

Kelly Cline said...

Fabulous! As a longarmmer, I am drooling over the negative space ;)

Nita said...

I did something similar...floated a pieced bit in a giant sea of grey. Waaaay out of my comfort zone. I haven't quilted it yet. I just can't seem to make myself love it. At least I'm stretching myself, though.

margaret said...

this has certainly grown since your origonal plan for a pillow, very nice and the few red blocks really pop

elnorac said...

Love your quilt top! I just received a Doe mini charm pack in my swag bag at Sewtopia. This would be a great use for it! Thanks for the inspiration. Always.

Rachel @ Quiltineering said...

That looks fabulous!! I love how it displays all the prints in the line :)

Swedish Scrapper said...

SO funny! This post did not end at all the way I thought it would-- and I love your new quilt top! Lovely how grey looks with warmer colors. And I love the gallery feel too.

Jennie @ Porch Swing Quilts said...

Thanks for featuring different ideas for mini charm packs. I've got a couple floating around and I'm always wondering what to do with them.

It's good to stretch yourself. I forget to do that so many times.

Karen said...

This beginner could make your gorgeous pillow! Wahoo!!