Friday, August 9, 2013

Autumn coneflowers.......and some more backing choices........

I finally got back to the 16 patch that started this garden series.  I had stolen the prettiest pink blocks from this group and made Peony Garden.  Then I just couldn't make myself work with this group again.  As I was cleaning off a table Wednesday I picked up the blocks and went to the design wall and in 20 minutes had "Autumn Coneflowers" ready to sew.  The coneflowers have dark brown centers now and the petals are drying up.  I think this top has the feel of my back garden right now.
I dived into the backing bins again and came up with this one for this quilt.









While showing the 3 tops to some friends yesterday I decided that the morning glory print would look good with the "Zinnia Garden" quilt.



That  meant looking for more choices for "Peony Garden".  First I tried 2 greens.






Then I pulled a pink print but it is almost too bubblegum pink.








Next I re-tried the print from yesterday.  I still like this one, but I like the green fabrics too.







And the final piece I pulled was tried with 2 of the quilt tops.  I'm not sure I like it well enough with either of them.

Yes I have a lot of pieces large enough for backing.  Every time I found a sale for $3 - $4.50 a yard I considered buying enough for a backing.  I haven't paid full price for a backing for many years.

23 comments:

Sewing Junkie said...

All your choices will work. Sales are wonderful when having to buy quantity. Your Garden Series is very striking. Chris

Gene Black said...

I prefer the top green print for Peony garden. I will be interested to see what you finally choose.

suemac said...

Your autumn garden quilt is lovely. I love purple coneflowers and I can see how they inspired this quilt.

Frog Quilter said...

Thanks for another morning of beautiful eye candy. Ahhhh!

HollyM said...

I really love all those backings but especially the first two! They'll all be such pretty quilts!

patty a. said...

Autumn coneflower is so pretty and the backing choice is perfect! I am liking the large prints on the backs of these quilts - they are all great choices! Gosh, I would love to see you stash! You have such a great eye and to have picked up the bargain fabrics that are making these fantastic back was genius! Who knew?

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

great to have the fabric handy - I love sales and almost the only way I buy fabric now. all of your choices look pretty darn good to me.

Chris said...

Oh Wanda I think I might like the Coneflowers quilt the most! I love the oranges and pinks together. It just glows.

Susan Turney said...

I love seeing them all! Such a nice way to wake up!

Eat Sleep Quilt said...

It would be hard for me to choose a border, I'd go towards something quieter so the center has all the attention. I like "scrappy," but sometimes I'm not good with color choices!

Julierose said...

Gorgeous quilts--I especially like the Coneflower one--love those flowers! You certainly get a LOT of work done each day! Hugs, Julierose

Mary Ellen said...

I love your blog and read it daily. Your nine patch series is just wonderful. We share the frugal gene as I won't pay full price for anything that goes on the back of a quilt. Recently I needed 9 yards for each of two quilt backings. Found all I needed on the sale tables at local stores.

Vicki W said...

I love the browns added in to autumn coneflower!

Nancy J said...

Ditto to Gene, the top green for peonies, those blocks are stunning in designs. Cheers from Jean.

Quiltdivajulie said...

Perfect name for this third in your series!!

I vote for the feathery green (lower fabric in the photo) for Peony Garden's backing.

Ruth said...

All of your garden quilts are wonderful. I have enjoyed watching the process. I realized this morning that that your 16 patch blocks were what influenced me to make 16 patch checkerboards with some old hand dyed fabric from a long ago guild workshop. I started making 4 patches with no plan in mind and they evolved into 16 patch blocks. Not the first time you have inspired me.

Mystic Quilter said...

Autumn Coneflower - another beautiful quilt and name!
I just love these 16 patch quilts Wanda - you've just can't not feel happy as anything looking at this series of quilts!

JJM said...

Really is fun to see what choices you have for the backings. All are so complimentary to your designs. And this has been a delightful garden series for us to watch grow into such beauties.

JJM

Nancy Near Philadelphia said...

I LOVE this series, Wanda!

Brown Family said...

That is a smart way to buy backs. Our Bernina store has a new years sale and large cuts are 50% off for the first one and 75 % for the second one. It pays to by in multiple of 2's!

Shelley said...

I love how you are naming all these quilts after flowers :) And you've inspired me to start cutting up my extensive batik stash for this 16-patch pattern. Coneflowers are my favorite summer flower, and coincidentally I've got many pink/orange/fuschia batiks! Thanks for all the lovely photo inspiration!

Purple Pam said...

Wow, your projects are super. They are so colorful. You said that simple designs make great quilts. You are certainly correct.

Where do you find good fabric for $3-$4.50 a yard? Not around my area that is for sure. Fabric has gone up so much. I was at a quilt store recently and their new fabric was $13.99 a yard! It was nothing special, just regular cotton, but it was a batik.

Lesley Gilbert said...

Thanks for the link - I always visit when you share them and this is a lovely one to look back on - I can see why you want to make another one with all those lovely colours :)