I felt like I had a snow day, a free day, to do whatever I wanted to do yesterday. Even though I really had to leave the house once, I treated the rest of the day as free without guilt.
So what did I do? I have wanted to cut my blue fabrics for quite awhile but never could find the length of time I needed to accomplish it. Another thing cancelled for Wednesday so I knew I had 3 free days to tackle this. I started with my batiks and cut 6.5" squares, 2.5" strips and 4.5" strips.
This is the variety I have cut so far. I have cut up 19.5 yards.
This is the group I will start with tomorrow morning.
I had previously cut 68 purple batiks into squares and I will work on turquoise and green next. Then I will start with the non-batiks.
I want to make several quilts out of just 6.5" squares, or maybe I will add a few 9 patches or sawtooth stars in for a little interest.
I made this yellow quilt in 2009 and intended to make more like it in lots of other individual colors so I'm finally getting around to doing it.
It is a celebration of the fabrics more than anything else; no intricate pattern, just relaxing and fun.
Looks like you used your snow day to good use. Another snow day here to. Chris
ReplyDeleteI LOVE your yellow quilt! Those blocks of very light yellow scattered about really make it sparkle. I've thought of doing a quilt like this too. You've inspired me!
ReplyDeleteThe yellow quilt is wonderful and the batik strips...ooo the possibilities!
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to what you do with the batiks. My favorite fabric.
ReplyDeleteMary Ann
I like the mono color quilts and the idea of a celebration of fabric. all those blues are gorgeous. Really when you put a range of any one color together it's pretty, especially with the batiks. I would not be able to cut up that much at one time with my arthritis.
ReplyDeleteThese beautiful purple batik materials!
ReplyDeleteSuch a wonderful yellow quilt! It's just the thing to look at on yet another gray, wintery day.
ReplyDeleteI'm considering all the ways I could pare down my stash a bit if I'd follow your lead and set aside some time for dedicated cutting. Once that's done, the creative mood takes over, and away you go!
Your posts always have an idea to remember or a photo that's inspirational. Thanks for both today.
I love your idea of celebrating fabric. Maybe that's what we all do when we make quilts.
ReplyDeleteI am always in awe of how much you accomplish in a day. Cutting over 19 yards by hand is amazing. Have you considered using Accuquilt Go for all the strips and squares?
ReplyDeleteYes! What a wonderful idea. I have a snow day as well. The plows went through after another 5 or 6 inches of snow, however, they plowed right down to the ice. Having to navigate rather steep hills on the way to work makes the going rather dicey at best. I ventured out, and after a mile and a half down (and up) the road behind the snow plow, I managed an icy turn around and came back home. I don't do ice. Your stacks of blue (my favorite color) has motivated me to pull all of mine out to play. Thanks Wanda.
ReplyDeleteI have always been a cut-as-you-go quilter (except for my two scrap baskets, one for "strips" and one for "chunks").
ReplyDeleteIf you're still cutting strips and squares tomorrow, would you show us a picture of how you store those? When you're working with a set of strips or squares, do you fan them out so that you can see to choose your next one by value/color, or do you just pluck "the next blue", "the next light", etc. from a set of stacks?
I'm thinking ahead to my Cobblestone quilt, you see, which I know you made from strips.
Thanks!
I am not a blue person, but wow! I just love the colors that you picked. The purples are wonderful. Can't wait to see the entire quilt on your design wall.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea! I love the yellow quilt. It proves that sometimes simple is the best!
ReplyDeleteI love simple squares and the celebration of fabric!! It's one of my very favorite ways to make a quilt. The fabric says it all.
ReplyDeleteWowser! I crave your fabric and admire how much you get done in a day! That is an incredible amount of fabric to own and cut! You go, girl! Jan
ReplyDeleteI love the simplicity of squares. I have a lot of 5 inch squares that I intend to make a patchwork quilt of - I have no idea at this time if it will have any pattern to it or just old fashion patchwork with no rhyme or reason to it.
ReplyDeleteI love all of your blue and purples
Karen
http://karensquilting.com/blog/
I look forward to seeing your post daily..
ReplyDeleteyou are an inspiration. Your quilts
are so vibrant.I have a few batik fabrics
but am not sure which brand to
purchase. Do you purchase all kinds or
just one manufacturer?
maruvolo@gmail. com
You spent your snow day well! That is a LOT of fabric to cut. I find cutting and sorting to be very relaxing, don't you?
ReplyDeleteThe blues you show are beautiful, especially since they are batiks. Your yellow quilt is stunning.
Have fun quilting!
Karen
What a fun day!!!! I say that it sounded more like a play day.
ReplyDeleteThat yellow is fabulous! I do love plain square blocks.
Love all the blues Wanda, the second set especially. Great fabric.
ReplyDeleteI love yellow and you have put these squares together so well. The yellow quilt is wonderfully happy. It must brighten your day just to look at it. Thank you for sharing it.
ReplyDeletePretty, pretty. I love your yellow quilt, & those blues are so beautiful. What a great way tpo spend a day.
ReplyDeleteWhat you are doing absolutely echoes what my heart has been telling me for a while now - cut up the stash so there are pieces ready when the muse strikes. Do you press your fabric before you start cutting? Your strips and squares are so NEAT!
ReplyDeleteYou are so brave in cutting the fabric and not having a definite plan in your head.... or maybe you do. Do wish I could take a class from you..... just think of the things I could have in my head then!!
ReplyDeleteLove the blues.....
I want a snow day! Wanda, you know how I feel about blue so I am loving what you are doing. The yellow quilt is such a happy piece. You are inspiring!
ReplyDeleteThose blues are gorgeous! I love the idea of the quilts made of just squares in the various colours!
ReplyDeleteOh wow, those are gorgeous! That's a lot of cutting. No wonder you had to block out a big chunk of time to do it. And just plain old squares are my very favorite. There's just something comforting about them. And with those fabrics, it's going to be a knock out!
ReplyDeleteFantastic use of a snow day! How many quilts can you make with 19.5 yards?
ReplyDeleteI like that yellow one.......I'm sure the other colorwashes will be beautiful, too !
ReplyDeleteYes, I reaized today looking at the back of one of my quilts, the crinkliness of beautiful fabric really satisfies my eye, and there is no use to get too complicated !
Those blue's just warmed my heart. 19.5 yards! ... How does your arm feel today?
ReplyDeleteThe stack you will begin working on next is beautiful.
And of course your yellow quilt is what we all needed to see on a dreary January day. It is awesome.
J~MT
Hi Wanda,
ReplyDeleteWhat fun! A truly "free" day!
The blue batiks are gorgeous, and what's neat about batiks is the hint of other colors in them. They go with more than people imagine.
Did you get any of that freezing rain/ice stuff? We just got a few inches of snow but with the mix, it was sloppy to drive in.
Take care.
Vicky F
It's so final when you cut into your fabrics. Good for you. If I did that, I'd just have lots of little pieces to keep track of instead of bigger ones :)
ReplyDeleteHi Wanda, I love your work! Usualy yellow isn't one of my favorite colors but your yellow quilt is fantastic! Did you use any type of pattern or just sew together what you pick up? Do you have duplicates in the quilt, or do you try to limit duplicates? One more question, why do you use 2.5, 4.5 & 6.5 when you cut strips? Do you usually have projects in mind for those size of pieces? I love your work! I don't comment often, but I look at your blog every day.
ReplyDeleteThose blues are gorgeous! And the yellow is simple but stunning.
ReplyDelete