This quilt started off with the idea of experimenting with making
improv blocks based on the varied shapes of windows.
I only planned on making a few blocks, just to play around with the concept. So, I pulled some shot cottons including chambrays and crossweave fabrics, all in colors that I wasn't particularly attached to, as I didn't want to "waste" my more favored colored fabrics.
I figured if I liked where the idea was going, I'd switch over to other more preferred colors.
(Although I really do dig that one dark mustard yellow, but that's ok, I just went out and got more!)
But here's what happened... each block that I made led me to think of an idea for another block...
and then all of those blocks wanted to be remade in various sizes and color combinations.
Before I knew it, I had enough blocks to make a quilt, all in colors that I really do not care for,
(except that mustard yellow).
And despite purple and yellow being complimentary colors,
I personally do not generally care for them together,
(with the exception of pansies)!
Funny thing is, as I looked at all of those blocks together,
I knew right away that these were exactly the right colors to use all along.
Bada-Bing-Bada-Boom!
I love how they look together!
That's one of the things I adore about improv...
being open to unexpected surprises,
having my sometimes straight and narrow road, tipped on its side, expanded and forever changed...
All from one simple exercise in creativity using colors I didn't think I liked together.
xo
32 comments:
Love the wonderful surprises improv brings! window shapes are one of my favorites...
Work is the best generator of ideas, yes and difficulties (even with color - I, too prefer mustard over the rest.) forces the box open. You have brilliantly used what I call the "ish" of purple to make it better than a simple complementary combo.
I want to live in that village!:)
Lovely! I wouldn't have chosen those colors, but I do like the finished product.
This may be my favorite quilt that you have made!!! So appea,
Appealing
I probably wouldn't have chosen those colors either, but I love how it looks
I absolutely love this! I love it when something unexpectedly turns out far more amazing than i could have imagined!
Прекрасно!
Fantastic quilt! And, even more important, fantastic discovery!!!!
Oh my goodness!!! This is stunning! I would never have chosen the colors you picked but I have to say that they are truly a vision to behold. Great job!
I love when that happens!!!! The quilt is absolutely beautiful!!!
It looks fantastic, great movement
It looks fantastic, great movement
Hi Victoria! I love this quilt, the windows and the colours! I feel the same about these colours, as you, not my favorites but all together so perfect! And your window blocks are awesome! Thank you for inspiration! x Teje
This is such a great quilt! I love the idea of improv windows and the fabric colors look great together!
Oh my goodness, these colours remind me of a pair of curtains my mum insisted on putting in our bedroom in the 70's - I hated the purple and yellow complimentary and argued and argued to no avail!!! (And then sulked for years!) I don't think I've ever really liked the combination since...until now! Just like you, I love mustard yellow, but purple has never been a favourite, but what a fabulous result from perseverance! It's absolutely gorgeous Vic, and what a lovely story too :) x
oh, i love love love your colors and your improv! such a gorgeous quilt. and thanks for telling the story of your process. xo
SPECTACULAR!!! Unexpected color combo that really works…...
It's soooooo good!
Amazing!
All is amazing - colors, shapes, improvisation.
This is awesome - love the colours, Can't decide if it reminds me of lots of windows or lots of buildings.
Bada-Bing indeed! What a shining example of how pure play turns out something so stunningly unexpected and lovely.
This is awesome!! I'm with you -- yellow and purple together usually look like some sort of school color sort of thing, but here they work beautifully. :D
I really love this quilt, I want to experiment with making little windows now!! I must resist as I have 4 other quilts I am working on at the moment!!
How fun! This reminds me of a quilt I have dancing in the back of my mind...& it would be purple & yellow.
Absolutely lovely, Victoria -- one would never suspect that you didn't care for these colors. There's a lot of loving care in this quilt.
Diane
i love that quilt it is a beauti Ane
This is gorgeous. ..colors, design and playful technique.
This is gorgeous. ..colors, design and playful technique.
oh, I LOVE how this turned out! As a city dweller, it feels very homey to me. And I agree with you on the color - I have very little purple in my stash because I don't like it, but wow, it looks so good here playing with the blue and yellow. Love how patchwork surprises me!
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