On the sewing front, I have decided to make my Two Color Quilt Challenge quilt in red and white, using the Union Square block. The quilt top only has nine blocks set on the diagonal, so I will have plenty of half square triangles left over to make a small Lady of the Lake quilt as well, if I am not sick of red and white when I finish this one. The pattern I am using is from a Joan Hansen/ Mary Hickey book called The Simple Joys of Quilting, and the pattern is called Red Union Square.
A few of you said you would like to make a two color quilt along with me, which I think would be super fun. Susan from Blackberry Creek, Erica from Polka Dot Quilts, Jane from Sew Create It, Julia from Scrap Happy Quilter, and Patti from Quilting is My Passion all said they would like to join in. So, I guess we need some rules for the Two Color Quilt Challenge. How about if we set a deadline of August 1? And how about if we post on our progress a minimum of at least four times: this week or next week (to show our fabrics and describe the project), June 1, July 1, and August 1? If participants want to post more frequently, I say Go For It! When we post, we need to link to the other participants' blog sites so folks can check out everyones two color quilt project. On my side bar, I have created links to the other participant's blog sites, so check up on them often to see how they are doing. If you want to join in the Challenge and I haven't listed you, be sure to let me know and I will add you in.
Two color quilts are so lovely. I think we forget about doing them because the market is deluged with fabulous coordinated fabric groups, and we just go nuts and buy an entire line. It takes patience and time to collect a variety of coordinating fabrics in one or two color ways. The hunt for those perfect fabrics is the joy of quilting for me! We get lazy when the fabric manufacturers do all the work for us. Making a two color quilt is also a terrific way to use up fabric in your stash. The reds and whites in my quilt were a great surprise when I opened a box and found a stash of already made half square trianges and a gorgeous collection of barn reds. You just never know what you may have on hand and have forgotten all about!
If you would like a book on the subject of two color quilts, there is an excellent one by Nancy Martin called Two Color Quilts. I believe it is out of print, but still available from some used book sellers through Amazon. Another book on two color quilts is also called Two Color Quilts by Better Homes and Gardens, also out of print.
I love the blue and white log cabin what book is it from
Posted by: sandra | May 05, 2008 at 07:01 AM
O.K. I'm in for sure. I still have to pick out a pattern and get a couple more pieces of fabric, then I shall begin. This is going to be fun. Thanks for the fun!
Posted by: Julia | May 05, 2008 at 07:35 AM
I'm in over my head with project obligations right now, so I will just sit back and watch your progress on the 2-color quilts. This should be fun!
Posted by: Lisa D. | May 05, 2008 at 07:40 AM
I can't believe I'm saying this but count me in. I have a pale blue and cream table topper that I've been wanting to make. I have the fabric and the pattern already.
I'll post pictures of the fabric and pattern later this week.
Yikes!
Posted by: Andrea | May 05, 2008 at 08:22 AM
Well . . . I'm in . . . but I don't know that I can hit the deadline of August 1st. I have lots of other projects that I can't ignore. I hope you will let still play even if I must plod along at a slower pace.
Posted by: Patti | May 05, 2008 at 08:28 AM
Thanks, Nicole for organizing this challenge. While reorganizing my sewing room, I found a started project (UFO) that I'm going to finish as my challenge project. It's also red/white; hope you don't mind. I also have a couple of two-color quilts finished that I'll post photo of on my blog, along with the beginning of my challenge, later today. I'm excited. Thanks again. --Susan
Posted by: Susan Ramey Cleveland | May 05, 2008 at 09:06 AM
What lovely Red blocks you have here. Enticing. Oh my very. And your post is filled with some GREAT INFORMATION!
I dig that. Its something I can refer back to for info. ...when I'm ready for my own two-color quilt.
Wish I could play.
Over committed to Love, *karendianne.
Posted by: Karen Lee | May 05, 2008 at 09:13 AM
Would love to join ... but can only promise I will be watching at this point :-) I am visiting San Jose this week for business flying in from Germany and was wondering if you would recommend some of your favorite haunts for fabric and quilting supplies? (Maybe I can even find the right to colors)
thanks
Barbara
Posted by: Barbara | May 05, 2008 at 12:15 PM
I'd like to join in too!
Posted by: Cara | May 05, 2008 at 01:24 PM
I will only be looking to see how you all go I am doing another project at the moment I can back track later and copy what you do at a later date.
Hugs Mary.
Posted by: Mary Wood | May 05, 2008 at 03:50 PM
Beautiful - can't wait to see the blocks made and put into a quilt. Red is my favorite color.
Happy quilting - Karen
Posted by: Karen | May 06, 2008 at 06:00 AM
I'm in! I think I'm going to do red and cream...just need to order some fabric!
Posted by: Jane Weston | May 06, 2008 at 06:13 AM
I would love to join in. I am new to this blog thing, so I dont have a blog yet. Are there instructions and rules?
Posted by: Witoka | May 06, 2008 at 08:37 AM
Ooohhh... I love 2-colors quilt, especially red/white! I would love to join in the fun. I've been wanting to do one for the last two years so can't really passed this up.
Love your Ozzie!
Posted by: Rhonda/Doxies on My Quilts | May 06, 2008 at 09:42 AM
I would join in, but already have 3 WIPs on the go that are 2 colour. LOL .... you nearly had me joining in until I remembered what I have. Will look forward to seeing everyone's progress.
Posted by: Rose Marie | May 06, 2008 at 01:42 PM
i wanna play!! I want to make a black and white quilt!!!!
Posted by: sara | May 06, 2008 at 10:20 PM
OK - I've started my quilt. I'm in the process of finishing a post about it right now - it's taking awhile to load all the pictures. If you are interested you can check in an hour or so - should be done by then.
Posted by: Patti | May 08, 2008 at 10:39 AM
What a fun and clever idea to have a Quilt Challenge. I am following everyone's progress with much interest.
Posted by: Ivory Spring | May 08, 2008 at 09:03 PM
What a fun and clever idea to have a Quilt Challenge. I am following everyone's progress with much interest.
Posted by: Ivory Spring | May 08, 2008 at 09:05 PM
What a fun and clever idea to have a Quilt Challenge. I am following everyone's progress with much interest.
Posted by: Ivory Spring | May 08, 2008 at 09:07 PM
I started a blue and white quilt back in 2003. I didn't finish it, but maybe this will inspire me to get it out of it's UFO box!
Posted by: Amanda | May 28, 2008 at 11:14 PM