Wednesday, November 18, 2015

Modern Utility Quilt

In her wrap of the second AHIQ link up, Ann said that "Modern utility quilts are an official movement."

Well, I thought, "my letters and words are not destined for a utility quilt."

But... I really could use a small quilt to cover my hand sewing chair, especially during the summer. And then, I was very inspired by the windmill quilts made by Ann and her quilting sister. Especially all the gorgeous Hawaiian fabrics her sister used. This seemed like a good way to use up some of those big prints in my stash!

My stash has a box called "Novelty," and I knew I had this fabric in there:


I bought it on a whim at a show, and I thought I'd probably never use it. But, now it is the inspiration for a whole quilt! I love the pink, red and white palette.

The Novelty box had other food-themed fabrics as well, including a couple yards of this sushi fabric:


I remember that I actually wanted more than two yards, but it sold out before I could buy it! I do love all the colours, especially the rich Chinese red. And that teapot is looking pretty good sewn up, too:


I found enough pink, white and red foodie fabrics for half the quilt, and then I filled it in with some ginghams (tablecloths!) and dots. With a hint of cucumber, citron, and lime:


Sounds tasty, doesn't it?

I think Ann's quilt is from Sujata Shah's book, Cultural Fusion Quilts. Ann's quilt blocks are square, but I thought they might look good as rectangles. A little more modern, a little more dynamic. The only catch with a rectangle is that you have to make half pointing left, and half pointing right.

Here are a few on the design wall, just to see:


I really, really wanted to do the whole thing fast and have a small flimsy finished in time for next Tuesday's link up. Unfortunately, I lost my head and ended up cutting way, way too much. So now it is queen-sized! Another big quilt! We'll see how far I am by Tuesday. Right now I'm only half way through the blocks:


And now I still won't have a suitable utility quilt for my chair. But, I bet the same block would look great in all my old Asian fabrics! And I think the box of Christmas fabric I have would benefit from some of this too. Maybe next year!

9 comments:

  1. What a fun way to use some of those novelty fabrics. I smiled when you said you lost your head and now have a bed size quilt. Proof that it was so much fun!

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  2. Your novelty box is so much fun! I love your block and like Kyle I smiled and then giggled about the bed sized quilt part! We do get carried away don't we?? That's one of the fun parts of what we do!!! :) Terry

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    1. Yes, I didn't know what size the blocks would be in the end, and I figured I could use the rest on the back. But really, it has worked out perfectly. I think it is just what I need!

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  3. Lol Such a bright zingy quilt! Love what you're doing and the fabrics are so happy!

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  4. Such a happy quilt! Love the tablecloths and rectangular blocks. You've caught my "large quilt" virus, I see. Once I planned a lap quilt and ended up with a king-size one. My family still laughs over that every holiday.
    I can't wait to see your quilt finished. Who cares if it's modern utility or improv or ...? It's beautiful, vibrant, and you. Congratulations.

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  5. Such fun fabrics! Love your blocks so far. I always cut more than I need, I guess I can't count vey well. lol

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  6. you certainly got carried away this is going t be a great quilt. Good choice of fabrics and like the rectangle shape makes a change from a square

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  7. I love all of those fabrics. The ginghams are the perfect complement to the food fabric. Speaking of tablecloths and food, this would make a great picnic blanket or tablecloth as well.

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    1. Thank you! I was disappointed with those Riley Blake ginghams when I first got them, but I have to say they look pretty good here!

      I'm debating if I should use "picnic" in the name of the quilt, somehow...

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