Monday, November 16, 2015

Design Wall Monday


Since I don't have a permanent design wall, this is the first time I've had something to share with the Design Wall Monday link up. My "design wall" is a white flannel sheet that I drape across the front of two Ikea wardrobes. It works quite well!

But, it is just 2 m (78") wide, so sometimes new solutions are required.

On the wall are the first few rows of Carrie Nelson's X-Rated quilt design from this book. I'm calling my version Aloha Kisses, with all its Hawaiian-themed fabrics. I originally planned to make it as a throw quilt. But since the weather has started to get colder, suddenly I feel the need for bed-sized quilts! I bought fat quarters of all these fabrics, so I have plenty left to make it larger.

This quilt has to be laid out and all the pieces carefully numbered, or it won't go together right. Rather than lay it out in sections, I realized that I could use one square to represent the whole cross:


Now I can fit all the fabrics on the wall at the same time!


It was still a challenge to fill in the missing pieces and pack it up in order. But, I feel optimistic that it will work.

I won't be sewing it, though, until the new year. I want to see if I can sort out some Leaders and Enders to use with the white thread I need for this project. Plus, this year, also for the first time, I've decided to do Bonnie Hunter's new mystery quilt, Allietare. So I'm clearing the decks to make room for that.

In the meantime, check out the other design walls at the link up here!

13 comments:

  1. Congratulations on your new improved design wall. I like your squares a lot - lovely colours.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I absolutely love these fabrics! So bright and cheerful! They are looking just gorgeous.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Clearing the decks. Appropriate term, I think. Trying to do the same here. It's a drizzly gloomy day here in St. Louis. Perfect for staying in and sewing.

    Idea: my retired art teacher friend uses small pieces of blue painter's tape to number blocks for sewing up later. The blue tape does not leave a residue on fabric, even if you accidentally iron over it.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I have always liked the look of + but haven't the patience right now to work on it since it does need to be completely laid out to work. I'm not sure I'm doing Allietare or not. I'm working on finishing at least the top of Easy Street from 2012. And, honestly, I don't need huge quilts right now. Sigh. Decisions Decisions. Love the colors in your Aloha Kisses. (And, great name too!)

    ReplyDelete
  5. I didn't know about design walls until reading your post and checking it out. Great concept, and working really well here, I can see. There's always a gap, isn't there, between feeling the need for a quilt right now as the weather turns, and executing the process, by which time the need is different. Just as well the cycle repeats!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LOL, you are quite right, Jillian! Next summer I will (hopefully) be looking at all these queen-sized flimsies that I need to quilt, and wondering what the heck I was thinking! But, hopefully next winter I'll be grateful!

      Delete
  6. Great concept about using the squares as fillers! I've been thinking about Bonnie's mystery too. The color palette sure looks like fun!--Terry

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Terry! Yes, I love the colours for Bonnie's mystery this year. I have a good feeling about it. :D

      Delete
  7. Carrie Nelson's book is a good one and your Aloha Kisses has fabulous fabrics. I don't have a design wall either and your solution for organizing that quilt sounds like it will work.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Great design wall idea. IKEA figures large in my sewing area as well so I will adopt and adapt. Love your colour choices against the white background. Another fresh, fun beauty in the making.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! I am quite keen to get back it, now. I hope it won't be TOO long, lol.

      Delete
  9. I love the colors you are using in this quilt! Hope your plan works and everything stay in order. I think I will join in the mystery too, I had to order some gray fabric.

    ReplyDelete
  10. what a good substitute for a design wall. Best of luck this is going to be a great quilt, I will personally think maybe 4 times before attempting a quilt on point again

    ReplyDelete

I'm told Blogger has been bouncing some comments, so if it happens to you I'm sorry! But the settings look right so I can't explain it. In any case, thanks for reading!

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...