Monday, March 4, 2019

Lattice Quilt at the Quilt Top Finish Stage!

So this is what I finished up with for the #AHIQRED and combined #UANDUQAL challenges. It's been difficult to get a good photograph of this top as all the very lightest of the green/blues and grey fabrics end up looking white. In reality, there is only one fabric used that is truly white based.
Red is a Neutral challenge quilt top
I spent quite a long time rearranging all the blocks and trying to get a good 'flow' going. There was a brief space of time where I almost tossed one complete row of blocks just because the corners weren't playing nice. That's the inherit risk of making limited repeats of each block--how hard it is in getting similar blocks to cozy up to one another in a sort of seamless look.
Looking a little closer....
Finally it got to the point where it felt like this is it! Overall, I'm happy with the shade changes in the background of the quilt and the lattice design definitely keeps the eye happily moving around the entire quilt. That's always an encouraging sign!
Really enjoying the background color variation
Now that it is sewn together, there is a velvety look that has sort of surprised me. I was really crossing my fingers concerning how smart it was to try marring tomato reds with deep crimson and cherry reds. In actuality, it seems to help create layers of interest and a lovely, subtle background play. At least in my eyes! I suppose I'm too deeply invested in the idea of making truly scrappy quilts to want single fabric backgrounds for every single quilt.  It's even hard to believe how much the more obvious printed background fabrics disturbed me before, as now they are just part and parcel of the whole.
Looking at the upside down view
Though picture number one is what I consider the 'right' view of this quilt, I turned it upside down and looked at it from another angle. It seems like everything works nicely from this view as well. Just asking out of curiosity, but what do you think? Did I make a mistake adding the large floral gray print like a couple of my kids questioned? Does it need a border? Does the red truly function as a neutral? The more I thought about that question, the more confused I was!

I'm very much inclined to call it good, fold it up and put it away until it's time for quilting. As always, being directly inspired by the 'Unconventional and Unexpected' quilts is always a wonderful adventure. I especially love that there's no way to know what the outcome will be until we're finally staring at the finished product! So very glad that I went with my instincts and drew directly from the depths of the stash totes, including using fabrics that were marginally {or completely} 'iffy' in terms of that sly, sneaky question our creative subconscious loves to throw out: 'Is this a good idea?' So much to learn about playing with fabric and color. On to the next quilt.....! 

21 comments:

  1. Very, very pretty!! I guess you are going to put some applique on it somewhere...HEE! I am an enabler!

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  2. I like that last layout you show - it looks perfect to me!

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  3. I think you did all right with the photo, I can see all the different colours fine. I would call it done, it has worked out really lovely looking, to my eyes nothing really jumps out. I don't think it needs a border, perhaps bind with red or a mix of the reds. Do I spy a bit of Kaffe Fasset/Brandon Mably fabric in there as well?

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  4. I think you've got a winner here! All the reds work really well, and they do make an interesting background. Very rich with lots of depth. And I like the 'unconventional and unexpected' floral fabric you used! I think it makes for a touch of whimsy, which is always fun. This is a great quilt!

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  5. Honestly, I think you did an awesome job. On my monitor, in the first picture I can see all the different grey and blues. I believe the white sashing is on top left side of the quilt. I love, love, love the "neutral" velvety red background. If you were to redo this quilt, I would suggest you change nothing, floral grey and all. It's a winner. Now, for the border question. You did so good on your own so far that I won't influence you in any way. After all, it is your quilt. Enjoy! ;^)

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  6. You have a winner here, as I squinted a bit looking at the photos, the light lattices just popped and the reds receded into 3-dimension. The quilting will make that dimension pop even more I suspect. It is perfect just as it is, doesn't need a thing added.

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  7. Hello Audrey! What a gorgeous quilt!! 👌Love it with the grey (it's the roses on the trellis 🌹!)and everything!! And as Chantal put it, you know best if border or not. Fabulous work! Best wishes!💐

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  8. No changes or additions needed -I love it!!!! Well done! ( the mix of fabrics is perfect)

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  9. It's beautiful. And while I think it's done and perfect, what is the quilt telling you? Probably "Quilt me next!"

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  10. It took me a long time to understand that those iffy fabrics really end up being winners. I love all the different reds adds a lot of interest. I think the real thrill of quilting is taking a bunch of fabric and figuring it out how to put it together into a thrilling quilt. When you get into trouble add more fabric and it alwyas seems to work out! I have made a couple of two color quilts out of solids and when I was done I felt like it had come from a big box store. No fun making them either.

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  11. All the reds are scrumptious and the grays/greens are icing on the cake! LOVE IT!!!!

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  12. I'd like to see a small border using the lattice fabrics. And----what no applique, surely your garden fence needs some sunflowers and tall stalks of leaves? The red, in my opinion, is lovely but not sure how it functions as a neutral...this is a red quilt not a neutral quilt. But maybe that is me being ignorant,lol.

    lizzy lizzzz.d@gmail.com

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  13. When I look at this quilt, I didn't notice any specific fabrics, I just noticed the beautiful lattice effect. Of course, I am not seeing it up close and personal, just a picture but nothing just jumped out and looked out of place to me. I love red, so I'm already biased in favor of this quilt. :D Great job!

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  14. I'm really liking the dimension this design seems to have. My question like others "what no applique?"

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  15. 1. I don't think the floral was a mistake Audrey
    2. I love the quilt just as is, without border
    3. Definitely the red reads as a neutral.

    I'm so pleased you went with a mix of reds here, wonderful quilt!

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  16. I wish this was my quilt. Love the shades of red; they do look velvety. The streak of red in the lattice is inspired and I think the grey print keeps it from looking commercial. So lovely. Congratulations.

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  17. Love this Audrey! The rich reds are very velvety looking. And yes, I love the addition of the grey floral rose print, nothing wrong with a subtle change of scale, it adds so much interest!

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  18. This is a perfect example of red working as a neutral. I love the way all the red shades play together, giving a real feeling of depth and texture and I love how, despite all that red, your lattice isn't overwhelmed. It's beautiful.

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  19. Great "riff" on the U and U quilt, and all your own. I love few strips of prints in there, so unexpected!

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