The first time I tried sushi I hated it. I hated the smell, the taste, and don't even get me started on the textures. Ick. The second time I tried it, I hated it too. There are lots of people who LOVE sushi. And a few of those people, upon discovering that I am not a fan, have told me that it is an "acquired taste." Every time I hear that phrase, I can't help asking--Why on earth would you keep eating something you don't like to the point that you finally acquire a taste for it? I totally don't get it. Needless to say, I probably won't be acquiring the taste for sushi...no one has been able to talk me into a third time. ;)
So what does this have to do with quilting, you ask? Maybe nothing. It's just that, lately I've realized that my taste in colors has changed in a way I never thought it would. Apparently if you eat something enough times, even if it is revolting, eventually you can come to love it. I guess appreciation of a color can be similarly "acquired." Who knew? Not by eating it of course, but by trying it out...by giving it a chance (or two or twenty). Gold has never been my favorite color. I have always thought of it as kind of gaudy...I don't wear gold jewelry and I never, ever thought I would use it in a quilt. But here we are...
Last month, my cute friend Abbey had a sweet baby girl. I wanted to make her a quilt, but I knew it had to be one I could finish fast (sound familiar?). I decided to use the same concept as this easy as pie zigzag baby quilt - but with a different design. I was going to surprise Abbey, but I wanted her to love the quilt, so I asked what colors she was doing for the nursery to get an idea of what she liked. Gold and white, she said. Gold and white? Gold? Eh, I thought. Gold must be trendy right now. I was slightly resistant to the idea at first--remember--gold has never been my fave. But then Abbey started texting me pictures of some of the stuff she liked, including this darling white and gold polka dot quilt from Pottery Barn...
(image from Pottery Barn Kids)
Once I saw Abbey's vision for the room, I knew I could easily make a gold quilt. After all, I wanted to make something she would love, right? And gold is what she would love. So I spilled the beans and told Abbey I was going to make her a quilt (so she wouldn't buy one). I used the PB quilt and crib bumper as inspiration and got to work. I mocked up 6 or 7 different designs and we both liked this one the best.
The applique on the front was designed in Inkscape. I've got loops on the brain right now, so this design fit right in with my current personal quilting trend. The gold metallic fabric is from the collection "Hope and Love" by Whistler studios for Windham fabrics. I found it at Hawthorne Threads and it was exactly what I had hoped-it's metallic, but not so much that it's tacky. I used fusible web to attach the shape to the background and then stitched around it in metallic gold thread. It really sparkles, sadly you can't really see that in the pictures.
For the quilting, I was trying to echo the applique design and the feel of the inspiration crib bumpers. I thought this lovely panto fit nicely- it is called Chantilly Lace. I added the small circles in as well using a groovy board. I was pleased with how it turned out, but as as usual, there was a lesson to be learned. When I planned to use the panto, I neglected to take into account that I would run into the applique design, and it doesn't line up perfectly. Thus, it looks a little goofy in a few places, but overall it works.
Of course the backing had to be gold polka dots! The fabric is Spot On Metallic in Blanc by Robert Kaufman. It matches the gold on the front perfectly. The tiny dot binding is from the same line and is also metallic. I love it!
I really love the way this quilt turned out. I think the gold makes it look dainty and perfect for a new baby girl. Abbey loves it too! So I guess the moral of this story is...just because you dislike something right now, doesn't mean you always will. Under the right circumstances, your tastes may change! Maybe I'll give sushi another try...maybe. :) Happy New Year!
Very sweet! Nice finish to start the year with. Happy 2015!
ReplyDeleteThat quilt is beautiful and so sweet! A good balance. The previous gold aversion sounds like my current use of purple in everything. It wasn't really a color I would have touched before, but my daughter's love of it has opened my eyes. lol
ReplyDeleteSuch a lovely quilt!!!!
ReplyDeleteSo true, I used to not like artsy and modern and now I like them along with my traditional :-) Times change, we change! Nice job again!
ReplyDeleteYour quilt blows the Pottery Barn version out the water! Just gorgeous. I find it's more color combinations rather than individual colors that I find myself eventually liking... the other day I saw an orange and grey fabric and I was surprised how beautiful it was. If anyone had asked me before I would have been "Eww - orange and grey?"
ReplyDeleteI love how classy this quilt looks! Using gold and keeping the design intricate yet minimal was a perfect choice. And with the dotted backing and binding it is all so perfect. Well done.
ReplyDeleteThere are colors that I don't gravitate to, but they all have a place at some time or other. But Sushi....you go right ahead and keep forcing that yuk down. I can think of only two things I've ever acquired a taste for...coffee and beer. And neither was ever so horrible to begin with, so that's how aquiring a taste works for me. Sushi is horrible and will never get the opportunity to be an aquired taste for me. (Please, no offense to those who love it) The gold and the Sushi, I thought this post was written about me. LoL
Wow this is very unique. Catches your eye as its so different and refreshing from everything else that is out there. Great work.
ReplyDeleteThis is SO pretty and unlike anything I've seen before! I love it!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful quilt! I like how your work is evolving. As for the sushi, wouldn't bother
ReplyDeleteAfter being wowed by the beauty and elegance of the quilt, I got to thinking of the pattern and design of the appliqué. Did you have to cut around those curly cue shapes and pin them in place and sew around them, or is the pattern cut in a wide swath and sewn on and quilted? Wonderful quilt!
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful! It's very sophisticated and yet slightly whimsical. I have the same question as Hazel above.... how do you cut something like this? It all looks so smooth and perfect. I think if I attempted this it would be all lumpy and bumpy!
ReplyDeleteI traced the entire shape onto a piece of fusible web and then ironed the fusible web to the gold fabric before cutting it out. Then I ironed the gold piece to the white fabric before stitching it down. Super easy!
DeleteWhat a lovely quilt. I would never have used gold, but seeing the pictures and that gold dot, I can so see the vision. The quilt will make the nursery. What a great job.
ReplyDeleteThat is such a marvellous quilt!
ReplyDeleteSimple and elegant and stunning.
ReplyDeleteThat quilt is so cool! The babies today have the neatest nurseries. My kids are now in their thirties. Rather than pink or blue, I did green. Bleh! Good Job on a really cute quilt. Love the backing and binding. Outstanding!
ReplyDeleteI really like the way it turned out. Nicely done. And I so understand changing your tastes color wise. I'm starting to get more into the Orange lately and that is something really new for me.
ReplyDeleteLove it! So neat!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely beautiful!!
ReplyDeleteWow that is a great looking quilt! I absolutely get what you said about color and especially gold, i feel exactly the same way and never liked the color. Yet my boys bought me a couple of necklaces for christmas that are gold and turquoise and guess what color i am wearing now....gold and turquoise.... lol
ReplyDeleteYou've always done such fabulous work:) Happy Quilting!!
ReplyDeleteCute quilt! It's interesting to me to see how your (and my) tastes in colors and especially patterns are changing as time goes on. As for sushi...I took a medical microbiology class once...cured me of any desire to consume raw fish. California rolls are ok...but WAY overpriced for what basically amounts to a little seaweed, rice, veggies and mayo. Sushi IS fun to make though...and I bet your kids would be amused by the process.
ReplyDeleteI love the quilt Cynthia! I've found myself loving gold lately and I never thought I would either. I guess we change with time as the styles change. Miss you guys!
ReplyDeleteBridgett
I love the quilt Cynthia! I've found myself loving gold lately and I never thought I would either. I guess we change with time as the styles change. Miss you guys!
ReplyDeleteBridgett