Lord have mercy, I adore this quilt. My husband looked at it and said, "Well, that's a busy one". Pie in the face for him. This is an adorable quilt. The "busy-ness" gives it a movement and complexity that is so interesting to my eye.
First of all, the quilt is a pattern called "Rummy" from the book Fat Quarter Winners by Monique Dillard. The piecing was easy, but needed to be quite precise. No room for errors (no cut off points or non aligning seam allowances) here. Because of the sharp contrast, all the lines had to be perfectly straight. Any wobbles or mis-matches in the seams would stand out like a sore thumb.
The aspect of this quilt that was the most fun, was selecting the fabrics, without a doubt. I wanted the lights to be varied in tone--from tannish beige to almost white. The tannish areas look kind of smudgy and "dirty" to my eye, which adds a lot of visual interest. Sort of a tea-dyed effect. I used my stash completely for this quilt. The "reds" range from true burgundy, to rusty burgundy, to a deep rose pink. The lighter shades of red look sun faded, which is an antiquey look I adore.
Monique's quilt in the book was done all in blues, and I think I achieved a similar effect to her blue version with my reds. I like this pattern so much, I just may have to make my own blue version sometime too!
I had a couple of border fabrics all lined up to use, and at the final moment knew in my heart that they were completely wrong for the quilt. The outer border fabric I had chosen was large and busy, and added nothing to the overall look of the finished quilt. Man, am I glad I passed on that. Thanks to all of you friends who advised me it would be a grave error.
Whew. Again, thank you for talking me out of this one. I ended up driving up to Prairie Queens, where Debbie and Annette helped me pick out the border fabrics I ended up with. Debbie was extremely tactful about my original choice of border fabrics. No words, just a little shake of her head in dismissal.
Sometimes simpler is better, and I am so happy that I ended up where I did!
Thanks again for all the kind words of encouragement and support in the past few days. Lots of hugs to all of you!
Great Job Nicole! I've never met a red quilt I didn't adore, but your Rummy really is winner. Congratulations!!
What a great lesson to us all, it's not about getting a project done, it's getting it done right. Time is your most valuable asset right now, but taking the time to find just the perfect border fabrics was time well spent.
Posted by: Thelma | May 24, 2011 at 05:16 AM
Rummy is PERFECT Nicole! You sure have the precision to make this quilt
Posted by: Mary on Lake Pulaski | May 24, 2011 at 05:22 AM
Love it! When I first looked at the pictures, I didn't see all the different fabrics you use, but after enlarging it I was amazed at the fabrics and how great they look together. It is a quilt I want to make. Thanks so much for sharing!
Posted by: Nancy E | May 24, 2011 at 05:28 AM
Wonderful top & colour's choice.
I received today my "Fat Quarter Winners" book and love all the patterns.
Posted by: Beatrice | May 24, 2011 at 05:29 AM
Rummy is beautiful. Red precision work! It's wonderful. Again, your careful sewing and eye for pattern and colour shine bright.
Debbie R.
Posted by: Debbie R. | May 24, 2011 at 05:44 AM
Nicole you have out-done yourself this time! Rummy is beyond perfection and I know the designer will agree if she hasn't already seen your red version! Job well done!!
Posted by: Jan | May 24, 2011 at 06:01 AM
Looks beautiful! Love it!
Posted by: Richelle in TX | May 24, 2011 at 06:04 AM
Nicole, that is a really CLASSIC quilt! Fabulous. Take a bow!!
Posted by: Helen in Switzerland | May 24, 2011 at 06:10 AM
Very beautiful Nicole...I love the mix of background fabric's in your quilt, I'm sure you were quite pleased to make something completly from your stash.
Posted by: Denise Schillinger | May 24, 2011 at 06:21 AM
That's just gorgeous!!
Posted by: Yvette | May 24, 2011 at 06:21 AM
What a wonderful quilt finish, Nicole. This is quite lovely and I am definitely partial to red and white quilts. Judy C
Posted by: Judy C in NC | May 24, 2011 at 06:30 AM
It is a wonderful quilt. I love the way it came out. The border fabric was a wise choice. Great Job..
Posted by: Sue Bennett | May 24, 2011 at 06:41 AM
Oh! I love a quilt that screams "NAP!" at me. Looks so cuddly.
Posted by: Charlene Tudor | May 24, 2011 at 07:00 AM
Great quilt Nicole. Points are crisp, clear, no wobble in the straight lines. I noticed the lighter to more tan background right away. Makes your quilt glow from within. Enjoy.
Posted by: Stephani in TX | May 24, 2011 at 07:06 AM
Truely a winner (no pun intended). I love the red version. I had a chance to see the blue version at Market and it is wonderful but I think red kicks it up a notch.
Waiting on the border was a great move. This one really works best. Congrats on the finish!
Posted by: Sandy (Strlady) | May 24, 2011 at 07:09 AM
The results are beautiful with the more neutral pattern but the ones you rejected are gorgeous. Hope you can use them somewhere. I love roses.
Posted by: Dottie. | May 24, 2011 at 07:10 AM
It's wonderful!!!! Maybe you can use the rose print as part of the backing??? or maybe save it for another lovely project. It will be put to good use, I'm sure!
Posted by: Paula | May 24, 2011 at 07:18 AM
What a beautiful quilt. The border you ended up with is perfect. I am sure you will find another use for the rejected border.
Posted by: Esther | May 24, 2011 at 07:27 AM
I would call it "controlled busy." I love it. You did good.
Posted by: Susan Ramey Cleveland | May 24, 2011 at 07:37 AM
Just simply gorgeous!!!
Posted by: Marianne | May 24, 2011 at 07:38 AM
It is amazing how beautiful the quilts are that you make..... here's another perfect example. The variety of reds and beige/tans are so interesting and keep your eyes moving around the quilt! Great job.
Posted by: sillysally | May 24, 2011 at 07:47 AM
Way to go Nicole!!!! Another winner for sure.
Posted by: Jean | May 24, 2011 at 08:26 AM
Congrats on using the stash to make such a beauty! Love it. It came together wonderfully and I agree, is very interesting to study and enjoy.
Posted by: AnnieO | May 24, 2011 at 08:29 AM
Two very nice finishes. I do think your border choice on the red is right on and you still got to use a nice big print for the second quilt. Life is a 'no peek' journey, Nicole. If we know what tomorrow will bring, we might not make it through today. Breathe, quilt, have a glass of wine. This too, shall pass.
Posted by: Sharon | May 24, 2011 at 08:36 AM
What a lovely and cheerful quilt Rummy is! The red border you used lets the quilt center shine and gives it a wonderful frame. Applause, applause, and take a bow!
A quilt shop owner in TX where we used to live encouraged her customers to make the quilt center and then to audition border fabrics at home and at the shop.
What size is this quilt?
Hugs!
Posted by: Barbara Anne | May 24, 2011 at 09:19 AM