What to Choose?

 

This quilt is a shop sample made by someone connected with Quilters General Store in Rockford, IL.  The pattern is Miss Rosie's Quilt Company's Route 44, a new pattern by Carrie Nelson.  In late September, I will be meeting up in Illinois with three of my best blogging friends, Lisa from Stashmaster, Thelma from Cupcakes 'n' Daisies , and Allyson from Fat Cat Quilts, and we gals are going to take a class on this quilt from Carrie Nelson herself!   You all are going to experience this trip from all four of our points of view, so get ready for some fun!  I am so excited for the trip, I am ready to go right now, but we'll all just have to wait six weeks or so.  (Think I can lose 30 pounds by then?  Never mind...)

The quilt in the picture is a kit that the shop is offering to those who are signed up to take the class.  Only the four of us have decided we want to do our own thing.  (Once a maverick, always a maverick).  Now, my task is to decide what fabric I want to use for my version of this quilt.  As we all know, fabric auditioning is the absolute BEST part of quilt making!

My first thought was to use a collection of Japanese pastels I have been acquiring.  The fabric companies are Yuwa and Lecien.  If you have never heard of these companies, I hope you will look into them a bit.  The quality is unsurpassed, and I have to say that is reflected in the price per yard.  You will pay around $16 a yard for this yardage.  Not many stores seem to carry these lines, perhaps because their customers are not used to paying those prices. Totally worth the splurge, IMHO.   My favorite LQS, Prairie Queens, carries both lines, and if you contact them, I bet they would love to sell you some of their already cut fat quarters or quarter yards.  They have a fantastic selection.  Oh, and if you visit their website, look at the quilt kit called Twinkle Twinkle.  It is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen and is made entirely of these beautiful Japanese fabrics.  (See photo below).

I love these fabrics, but the red seems somewhat discordant to me for this project.  What do you think?  I was going to use it just here and there, and pick one of the pastels to be my border and setting triangle fabric.  However, the more I look at it, the less love I am feeling for using these fabrics for this project.  Not to worry, though, I have a few more ideas for using it!  Maybe I will even make Twinkle Twinkle!  Here is a picture of the quilt (from Prairie Queens website), made by Keiko Clark.

Now, here is a different idea.  I think this could be stunning.  I'd love to know your opinion.  I have a jelly roll and a layer cake of Old Primrose Inn by Blackbird Designs that would provide enough strips for the four patches, plus I have a boat load of great backgrounds.  I could use the big floral for my border and this brown star fabric for my block setting triangles.

 

 

I could change my mind ten times from now until the class, but this is what is floating my boat today!

Comments

[Cathy]

What fun to take a class from Carrie Nelson herself. You ladies will have a ball together!

I am intrigued by the quilt you showed called Twinkle Twinkle because I am working on a kaleidoscope quilt that uses the same setting, ends up looking like circles abutting each other. Would have been easier if I was working from a pattern or kit.

[Lesly]

Am I ever envious of you guys! What a treat, and how much fun to be together working on that great-looking pattern. I love the pastels and I think a few red patches would look great for an unexpected hit of colour. I had so much fun in the red and white snowball quiltalong - why don't the four of you put your heads together and cook up another one for all of us out in blogland!

[Lindy]

Wonderful
enjoy yourself!

[Mary Flynn]

Can I go? (I wish I could afford it) Both quilts you shared in the photos are beautiful...but must admit the Carrie Nelson one is SO ME! Girlfriend time sounds wonderful...shed pounds later! Hee!!

[Betty]

Old primrose inn has lots of different colors to work with which looks like what is needed for the squares in the quilt. What a fun time for you. I love picking the fabric too and rarely buy a kit. Twinkle, Twinkle is a fun pattern. Wonder if it is really difficult. I hate y seams.

[Susan]

I love the Old Primrose Inn option. Gorgeous. By the way, I look at your blog almost every day, and you are a great inspiration to me, both in quilting and in life. I appreciated your comments about money worries. We're in the same boat -- right as we're trying to retire, the ducks we thought were all in a row are now flying out of the pond! Scary. One bright spot, my huge stash of beautiful fabric is enough to last a long time. Hang in there; it will sort itself out!

[BadlandsQuilts]

I vote for the Old Primrose Inn...

[Darlene]

Decisions, decisons! No matter what fabric you choose you'll have tons and tons of fun.

[Sherry]

The Old Primrose Inn fabrics look like a wonderful choice.

But I'm sure that you will end up with a great quilt no matter what fabrics you choose.

[Sarah]

Just a little confused here...a few days ago you spoke of not having any money - at least you said something about difficulties w/ the budget and buying needfuls for the kids - and now you're talking a trip?

[Lisa D.]

The Japanese fabrics are beautiful and soft, but maybe too "mushy" for the quilt design. I think the Primrose Inn fabrics would look very nice. I think I've chosen my fabrics, but now I need to find an accent.

[Carol]

My vote is for Old Primrose...more contrast...oh you are going to have the most wonderful time...how fun!

[sillysally]

Yes, the quilt pattern and your choice of Old Primrose Inn sounds like a perfect match! Have fun with whatever you end up choosing, and have fun on your trip with your girlfriends!

[Barbara Anne]

A quilt class with friends, a great teacher, and wonderful pattern! What could be better?

BUT ... the one downside of maverickdom: "fabric choice envy". No matter how much you LOVE the fabrics you brought, the grass may well look greener in someone else's fabric stack.

I'm a maverick, too, but think the lovely Japanese fabrics won't stand up to "fabric choice envy" even tho they'd make a beautiful quilt.

All of that said, I vote you go with the Old Primrose Inn fabrics. I think you'll be pleased as punch with the resulting quilt and this group of fabrics is strong enough to protect you from "fabric choice envy"!!

Choose wisely, grasshopper!!!!

Yes, I believe you can lose a lot of those pounds if you eat a bit less and take daily brisk walks.

Hugs!

[Quilter Kathy]

What an exciting quilt trip y'all will have! I can't wait to hear about the hilarity and adventure from the 4 of you!

[Nicole]

Thanks so much for your concern Sarah. My goodness, I just don't know what I would do without helpful people like you pointing things out to me. First of all, my children are in their 30's, and will not suffer in the slightest if I go out of town with my friends. Second, this trip has been fully paid for since January, many months prior to my rather minor (in the general scheme of things) financial difficulties surfaced. But, hey, I really appreciate your input. So well meant, I am sure.

[AnnieO]

Have a super duper time with your quilting buddies, Nicole! I am sure you all will make the most of every moment and all of your wicked talents and senses of humor. You should lose weight just with all the laughing.

I love Old Primrose Inn and used some of it in my daughter's quilt (still in progress, LOL). It has that old-timey feel without being stodgy and of course Moda fabrics are nice too. I have not bought Lecien but really want some of the Santa Gnomes by Monica of Happy Zombie. Can't wait to see what you decide on!

[Helen in Switzerland]

I can't begin to tell you how envious I am.....I think you told us on purpose to drive us mad with green eyed envy. You are one lucky lady!!

[Kathleen]

Oh, you are going to have so much fun! I would love to be a part of that group.
I am voting for Old Primrose for your class. I, too, think it offers more contrast for this pattern. The other fabrics are beautiful, and you simply must make Twinkle Twinkle. What a beautiful pattern!

[Diane]

What fun!

It is a small world. Lisa at Stashmaster works at my favorite quilt shop ever. The owner of the shop was my mom's next door neighbor for years, and is so good to my mom, who is ailing mentally right now.

[Paula Peck]

Oh that will be so much fun!
I come HERE for inspiration, love your blog, thanks for sharing.
Old Primrose Inn looks great!

I've been trying to decide on a pattern to use with "Arnold's Attic" so it's on my mind, I think it would be very nice for this pattern. Not as much viriety in colors though.
Or Park Avenue might be nice!
Just a couple of thoughts.
:)
I love to put in my two cents worth!

I need to start a quilting blog! But even as it is, reading blogs reduces my quilting productivity, I don't know how you girls do it!
I'm going to look for your "Raise the Roof" entries now! I want to make that, but it is somewhat daunting to me...

[Sinta Renee]

You are just going to have too much fun! I hope you share lots of pictures and a daily update on your class with Carrie and your wonderful cast of characters! I think either group of fabrics would be great. The first group would be sweet & fun... second group a little more dramatic & rich.

[Sinta Renee]

I had to hit the brakes when I was scrolling and saw your picture of Twinkle Twinkle! That is a stunning pattern! Let's do that one next!

[Sharon]

I think the Old Prim would be great for the class, it has a good variety of value, and I'm all about the value! ;-)
LOVE the Twinkle, that would be spectacular with your soft selection. Girls get-away, what a sanity saver!

[Claudia]

What a great chance to take a quilt class with Carrie. I would have been thier myself, but our guilds quilt show is that weekend. It's in Illinois as well. I'm sure anything you pick will be great. I do like the Old Primrose.