Brown paper bag quilt...

For the next installment of quilts I decided on this one. Windblown Leaves.  I know this is a sewing blog not a quilting blog and I promise I will show you what I've been working on soon but in the meantime...

Windblown Leaves

This quilt was made in an extended class my friend D talked me into attending with her several years ago.  I can't remember now, but it was something like about 12 hours for this class.  Lunchtime till midnight.   Aaaand, I just might add, that is way too long - we were delirious by the end,  so tired we had no clue what we were doing.  Still, it was fun!

As this was a brown paper bag (read - mystery) quilt there was no class description so we had no idea what this quilt would look like until we had finished it.  We were required to bring along one dark fabric, one light fabric and a contrast fabric.  As you can see (you can see can't you - it's not a very good photo) I chose a very dark chocolate brown -yeah I know; it looks black but take my word for it it is brown, a white and teal blue for the contrast.  We were instructed to cut each of the fabrics into strips then stitch certain lengths and colours together.  The design eventually became obvious as we progressed through the steps.  The final step was to add the contrast border then the larger border.  I decided to use up my scraps and add in another two small borders.  Finally, I had it machine quilted by my friend D of Addicted to Quilts and it now hangs on the wall of my sewing room.

It was amazing to see how different each quilt made in the class looked depending on everyone's fabric choices.  This was a simple quilt and a lot of fun to make as it kept us guessing what the end result would look like.

Have you ever made anything that was a mystery right to the end?  Experienced the thrill of not knowing the outcome and the satisfaction of achievement when you reached the end...

You should try it - I have!

Seasonal planning...

I've noticed recently that quite a few people have been planning their seasonal sewing.  This is something I have tried to do in the past, though mostly unsuccessfully.  Mainly, this was due to the fact that I couldn't decide on a colour palette for the season I was sewing for.  What colours did I want or need to add to my wardrobe?  Soon I was only wearing neutrals.  Eventually this became boring; I needed to add colour but where to start.

Have you ever had your colours done?  I have.  It was long, looong ago, but we wont go there.  Anyhoo, I was told my colouring was 'Winter'.  Now, I was never truly happy with the selection of colours designated to be for a person with winter colouring.  Some of the colours were way, way to bright strong,  the colour wore me not the other way around as it should be, know what I'm talkin' 'bout?  Then one day I was at a craft show and the same company was attending; I told them of my dilemma and it was decided that I fell into their new colour palette of 'Cool Summer'.

My Colour Wheel

The 'Cool Summer' palette, which has cool/blue undertones, falls in between the Winter and Summer palettes, meaning I was basically a Summer who can wear some of the richer Winter colours but not all of them.  In my case this was quite a lot but not enough to be a 'Winter'.  This was a much better option as the colours were truly a better match for me.

Blues & Greens

Pinks/Reds/Neutrals

Here's a better look at the colours suited to me.  If you know anything about these colour palettes you will know that they are just a guide.  For those who don't - any colour that blends with these is suitable as long as it has the same undertone and clarity.  You don't have to have an exact match.  In effect, you have a very large range of colours that will compliment and look good on you.





Moving right along and getting to the point, my colour swatch has been an invaluable tool when selecting suitable fabrics, but...

I feel the only colours aside from the neutrals that are suitable for me are shades of blue and pink.  As you know, complimentary colours are on opposite sides of a colour wheel e.g. opposite blue is orange, purple - yellow, etc.  Where are these colours in my palette?  I have no oranges and only a pale yellow.  No peaches or tans.  How can I add them to my wardrobe or at least achieve the same effect without making me look sallow? 

This brings me back to where I started - planning my seasonal sewing.  I have a mish mash of colours and garments in my wardrobe, most of them prints, leading to wardrobe orphans.  My plan for Spring 2012 is to have no other plan than to concentrate on adding a majority of plain coloured garments that will work with my existing items and colours.  And, any existing items in colours that aren't working for me might just have a date with the dye bath. 

Do you make plans?  What are your plans? 

I've been given an award.  My first, and it's much appreciated.  This new blog award is simply to thank the lovely people who leave a comment on your blog.  I love to receive encouraging comments, who doesn't?
So... Carolyn, Thank you for allowing me the privilege of passing this award onto others.

There are no requirements for this blog award except to pass it onto the last nine bloggers who took the time to comment on your blog...

This will be a little difficult for me as I've left my blog a little neglected of late, so I decided to make an exception to the rules and just list the last six five people I received comments from.

Janine
ElleC
Rosy
Dibs
Gail

I was also going to list Donna but I've just noticed she already has this award.

Thank you ladies.  I really do appreciate receiving supportive comments and ideas.

Memories

When I first started this blog it was my intention to post regularly about the garments and things I've made for myself, in my mind that was to be at least once a week becoming more frequent as I got into the habit of finding things to blog about.  Now, let me tell you this has not been the case.  I have been very slack lazy remiss and I need to remedy this RIGHT NOW!   So...to get back on track with blog posts, I thought I would take a trip down memory lane and occasionally show you some things I've made from years ago.

In a past life I was a quilter (that was in the time before I came back to sewing clothes - a couple of years ago) and I thought,  that perhaps you might like to see a few of the quilts I've made.

Today I will show you one of my favourite quilts.  I had bought some flannel charm squares, as you do, don't you, or is that just me?  I can't be the only one who buys fabric just because... can I?  Surely not.   Anyhoo, I decided to make a very simple quilt with them.  I randomly joined the squares, added a small and a large border, then I quilted a crosshatch pattern on the squares and several straight rows around the large border.  Its so cozy and warm - it's very comforting to snuggle up under in Winter.  I just love the rich colours of the fabrics which seem to give it extra warmth.  It's well used and loved but, sadly, starting to look a bit faded but then, I guess, that just makes me love it all the more.