I don't know why, but generally, the first color I look for in a background fabric is cream or something very neutral. Boring perhaps, but that's just the way it is around here. Then last summer, when we took our trip to Oklahoma,
this quilt was the one I dragged around.
 |
| 4 blocks of Vintage Red done |
I had lots of opportunity to study it as it was always draped across my lap helping me to endure the freezing cold temps of our vehicle {my husband insists on that}. And you know what? I
adore the pieced together background of the applique blocks. Even now. And even though all the pieced fabrics are cream or a variation of that, they are
different. They help make the quilt so much more special to me! So why don't I do more of that I kept thinking?
You're probably thinking 'why doesn't she move away from cream as a background altogether', but hey! we all have our issues! And I've been trying to figure out how to incorporate a little more of that background piecing into my quilting ever since. Which brings us to this Vintage Red project I've started.
I've wanted to use a classic {vintage} solid red in one of my quilts for years and years. Mostly I had vague thoughts of something scrappy like the picture below, nothing too precise or studied. In anticipation of that day, I bought about 3 yards of the 'perfect' red {pretty much the first time I stumbled across some} which would be oh... about 5 yrs ago?
 |
| http://www.make-it-do.com/sew-it/oh-my-stars-mr-president/ |
You gotta know the perfect vintage red is not too cherry red or too tomato red and it's actually very hard to find. The sad thing is, I've stole little bits from that 3 yards of fabric until I was worried there wouldn't be enough for the real project, whatever that ended up being. I guess this 'Vintage Red' project with the funky applique is? I've already got 20 background blocks prepped and ready to go plus all the applique bits. But I may stop at 16 blocks, still undecided about that. The main thing is this, the very next time I stumble upon the
perfect vintage red fabric, I need to go ahead and buy the whole bolt. There is definitely more of this color in my future.....
I like your vintage red appliqué design. It reminds me of Matisse and his cut outs. Very cool.
ReplyDeleteLove that red !
ReplyDeleteI love your "car" applique and love the stars with the red! Is it a Bella or a Kona?
ReplyDeleteI LOVE your new flower design! Your cream backgrounds always look good to me. Why mess with a good thing?
ReplyDeleteI love a pieced background.
ReplyDeleteTotally understand your thing with cream backgrounds, and the perfect red. I do admire those who can amp up their background colours but I just don't have that gene!
ReplyDeleteDo love the little red stars quilt. My next mini has a red background.
Can't wait to see what you come up with for your red quilt. I showed my husband picture of your fire quit and he was pointing out things that I had not noticed ...upside down flag for distress.... He really liked it and agrees you should send it out to the other shows and then have it at the court house.
ReplyDeleteI love your red flowers! I usually use a cream background for my applique, but after looking at some of the Piece O'Cake designs I am wanting to experiment a little. That red star quilt is wonderful. I will be checking that out. When you find that 'perfect' red again I hope you will share where you found it.
ReplyDeleteYour red is perfect.
ReplyDeleteI always enjoy your mix of fabrics & style -- the more contemporary number-y print with the cute, funny flowers. I'm eager to see more!
Whenever you find the perfect fabric or color buy all you can afford and then a little more.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it funny, I would have said I don't much like red but it creeps into almost all my quilts. Your red is just right and I very much like how your blocks look. Your pieced backgrounds are fabulous - maybe you can experiment with gentle changes like these until a quilt tells you it wants something wildly different.
ReplyDeleteAny red is fine by me! And cream backgrounds are just fine. What is special are those flowers!
ReplyDeleteI just named this The Fun Flower quilt in my mind :)
ReplyDeleteNothing wrong with cream backgrounds in my book. I bought a whole bolt of Kona Snow last year and already used it up. When you find that red, let me know. I have about an 8 inch scrap left of a red that I love, and I'm holding on to it to find a match.
ReplyDeleteI love your Vintage Red flowers. The yellow in the block is a great combination.
I always love your applique quilts. They make me smile. This new one is going to be absolutely wonderful!
ReplyDeleteJudie Rothermel does a thirties red which has a very vintage vibe to it. It has been out for quite awhile, but she used to sell online. I would think the new cotton company that is made here in the US will probably make a good red, or could be inspired to add it!! I found a cheddar that I love last year & went ahead and bought the bolt. It is nice to know I can snip off that bolt, but will have more!! We have such a fear of running out of our favorites!! I bought turkey red in Kona & that one is superb ( will look up code number if you want). Barbara Brackman listed the Kona cottons that make good heirloom quilt colors for working in the applique quilts of the late 1800's. I bought them to work on Susan Garman's new pattern " Simply Baltimore". If you need any more " help", let me know!!
ReplyDeleteI love the varied/pieced backgrounds, and even do it on my pieced blocks. You're so right - it adds a special "something" to the quilt. Lots more interest, to me. You keep seeing more things to see in the quilt!
ReplyDeleteI love your red. It looks great to me! Red has been showing up in more of my quilts the last few years, and I directly attribute that to Nifty Quilts and Freddy Moran!
You have certainly chosen a good solid red. Have you pre-washed to make sure it's not going to runnnnn?
ReplyDeleteI LOVE red, I like where this is going, I love the appliqué and the red ... Is vintage red the same as a Christmas red?
ReplyDeleteOh I love the vintage red appliques and the backgrounds. I too am trying to venture out a bit from my "norm". I'd like to take a lesson from those wonderful Australian quilters who use such interesting backgrounds. Hmm, you first and I'll try!
ReplyDeleteI adore red in quilts too - it's such a snappy color!
ReplyDeleteLove those fun funky flowers and the little stars -wee
Red is such a powerful color in quilts, keeping a bolt on hand seems like a good plan! Love your scrappy background too. Fun projects!!
ReplyDeleteLove a bold red in quilts and I do not use it near enough!
ReplyDeleteWell, I bought 4 metres of Kona Tomato last week, and 6 metres of Kona Flame, heaven help me. I think it's LeeAnn at Nifty Quilts that's inspiring us.
ReplyDelete