This stunning quilt was made by Carrie Nelson of Miss Rosie's Quilt Company. I got to see it in person while I was in Illinois in September taking a class from her. The quilt is a pattern called Brown Eyed Girl, made with the 3 Sisters collection Aster Manor. Great quilt, great color choice with the browns, reds, and pinks. In fact, I loved it so much I wanted to make it exactly as Carrie had done. Me? Shy about being a copy cat? Nah. This quilt moved to the top ten on my To Do List.
Well, then I went to PIQF (my region's biggest quilt festival) and saw something in the Prairie Queen's booth that took my breath away. April at Prairie Queens made this same exact pattern and came up with an entirely new look, just as breathtaking as Carrie's original. Take a look at April's version.
I can just hear you all out there gasping. Isn't this awesome?
Carrie's gorgeous version:
April's gorgeous version:
The point I want to make is that we need to keep an open mind about what color ways to use with quilt patterns. It is very tempting to play it safe and copy a design exactly. There is nothing wrong with this, and this can work out beautifully. You end up with just the quilt you fell in love with, and live happily ever after.
Or, you can use your imagination and try something totally different and just see what evolves. April is an extremely talented, prize winning quilter who has been sewing for many years. Of course she comes up with fabulous ideas, she's a pro. But we can do it too. Just think how great this quilt would look in red, caramel and cream. Fabulous as well. How about lovely autumnal rusts, tans and greens? I'm there. Or, how about doing a sensational Christmas quilt using red, green, gold and white? Incredible.
But, like I said, sometimes we fall in love and have to have it just the way we saw someone else do it. Believe me, I do it all the time. Remember my Elizabeth quilt made out of Rouenneries? I shamelessly copied Wendy because I thought her quilt was the most gorgeous quilt I have ever seen. Wendy thought outside the box and I imitated her genius.
If you would like to imitate April's version of Brown Eyed Girl, Prairie Queens has kits made up, using the fabrics shown in the blue and tan version pictured above.
The kits include the border fabric, all the blues, tans, caramels, lights, and the pattern as well. Give the girls at Prairie Queens a call at (408) 559-6735 and order one for yourself before they all sell out. Or, take the plunge and imagine your own color way for Brown Eyed Girl. Either way, you will end up with a quilt you will love!
PS: Thanks for all your words of encouragement with my Route 44 quilt. I wish I could answer each and every one of your comments. Please know I appreciate your feedback more than I can say.
44 responses to “Don’t Be Afraid to Experiment”
You just described one of my favorite things about quilting. I LOVE how 2 people can make a quilt from the same pattern, and the end results are completely different from one another but still gorgeous!
You just described one of my favorite things about quilting. I LOVE how 2 people can make a quilt from the same pattern, and the end results are completely different from one another but still gorgeous!
Yep! Variety in making choices about fabrics, where to put the lights, mediums, and darks, and choices about what to put next to what is the best part of quilting!
These Brown-eyed and Blue-eyed Girl quilts are completely delicious.
Hugs!
Yep! Variety in making choices about fabrics, where to put the lights, mediums, and darks, and choices about what to put next to what is the best part of quilting!
These Brown-eyed and Blue-eyed Girl quilts are completely delicious.
Hugs!
My girlfriend and I have made many of the same quilts over the years. Rarely do we choose the same fabrics, and it is always amazing how fun it is to see how different they are from one another.
My girlfriend and I have made many of the same quilts over the years. Rarely do we choose the same fabrics, and it is always amazing how fun it is to see how different they are from one another.
They are both gorgeous!!!
They are both gorgeous!!!
Definitely stunning quilts!
Definitely stunning quilts!
Both are stunning!! Thanks for sharing!
Paulette
Both are stunning!! Thanks for sharing!
Paulette
Yes!I did see this up close and personal at PIQF and wow…you are right it is absolutely perfectly beautiful!
Yes!I did see this up close and personal at PIQF and wow…you are right it is absolutely perfectly beautiful!
Absolutely gorgeous!!!!!!!!!!!
Absolutely gorgeous!!!!!!!!!!!
I most definitely fall in the experimental crowd. I also experiment with the directions (that i study and read twenty times before starting). For me, I fall in love with a pattern an a quilt like and nix and match… Ahhh. I love sewing
I most definitely fall in the experimental crowd. I also experiment with the directions (that i study and read twenty times before starting). For me, I fall in love with a pattern an a quilt like and nix and match… Ahhh. I love sewing
These are both beautiful, but I’m a sucker for anything blue. I happen to currently be in love with sawtooth stars, so that’s extra icing on the cake!
These are both beautiful, but I’m a sucker for anything blue. I happen to currently be in love with sawtooth stars, so that’s extra icing on the cake!
Wouldn’t this quilt also be dazzling in some outrageously bright, almost psychedelic prints also? We’d be “like trippin’ mannn” (said in your best Jeff Spiccoli voice).
Wouldn’t this quilt also be dazzling in some outrageously bright, almost psychedelic prints also? We’d be “like trippin’ mannn” (said in your best Jeff Spiccoli voice).
Somehow or other I don’t remember Prairie Queen’s booth! Where was it in the room. I’m sure I was in it but would have been even more excited to know who they actually were. What version of the quilt are you going to do?
Somehow or other I don’t remember Prairie Queen’s booth! Where was it in the room. I’m sure I was in it but would have been even more excited to know who they actually were. What version of the quilt are you going to do?
I never use the same colors or fabrics in a pattern. I have to do my own thing with it.
That’s how I learned to quilt many years ago before we had so many fabric lines to choose from.
Thank you for sharing the quilts. I am inspired by your blog.
I never use the same colors or fabrics in a pattern. I have to do my own thing with it.
That’s how I learned to quilt many years ago before we had so many fabric lines to choose from.
Thank you for sharing the quilts. I am inspired by your blog.
I remember being disappointed that Brown Eyed Girl was not the project for one our retreat classes, I just love that pattern. I guess things work out for the best, I still intend to make Brown Eyed girl, not sure sure I ever would have made Ashcombe.
Thanks for the showing both quilts, I have no idea which way I’ll go, or when I’ll get to this pattern,but your Christmas idea is very intriguing.
I remember being disappointed that Brown Eyed Girl was not the project for one our retreat classes, I just love that pattern. I guess things work out for the best, I still intend to make Brown Eyed girl, not sure sure I ever would have made Ashcombe.
Thanks for the showing both quilts, I have no idea which way I’ll go, or when I’ll get to this pattern,but your Christmas idea is very intriguing.
This is so true. I purchased a pattern and made it up in reds/whites and posted it to a group and the author sold a ton of patterns, she couldn’t believe how that color combo struck a cord with quilters. LOVE the brn/blue combo, so cosy looking.
This is so true. I purchased a pattern and made it up in reds/whites and posted it to a group and the author sold a ton of patterns, she couldn’t believe how that color combo struck a cord with quilters. LOVE the brn/blue combo, so cosy looking.
It is so fun to see how quilts turn out when they get a little color makeover… Brown Eyed Girl is beautiful/either way. And I want to add that your Elizabeth quilt is just as gorgeous as ever!
It is so fun to see how quilts turn out when they get a little color makeover… Brown Eyed Girl is beautiful/either way. And I want to add that your Elizabeth quilt is just as gorgeous as ever!
I love seeing the different colorways. I wish I had time to do this wonderful quilt but I already have enough quilts in mind to take me through 2011. Then throw in a grandson quilt here and there and I’m booked for months.
I love seeing the different colorways. I wish I had time to do this wonderful quilt but I already have enough quilts in mind to take me through 2011. Then throw in a grandson quilt here and there and I’m booked for months.
I recently made a table runner using reds, blacks, and tans (Sophia by Windham). Then I repeated it in Summer’s End by Kansas Troubles which is autumn colors. I showed them to my quilting friends and the group was equally divided as to which was prettier. It’s fun to choose the colors for the person receiving the quilt. Carrie has beautiful patterns for sure and you can’t go wrong.
I recently made a table runner using reds, blacks, and tans (Sophia by Windham). Then I repeated it in Summer’s End by Kansas Troubles which is autumn colors. I showed them to my quilting friends and the group was equally divided as to which was prettier. It’s fun to choose the colors for the person receiving the quilt. Carrie has beautiful patterns for sure and you can’t go wrong.
Those are both gorgeous quilts, I totally agree! Red and green, brown and blue=just classic colorways that sing with the fabric prints and values they selected. I’ve never actually copied any quilt that I’ve seen because I really like the scrappy look and mix all different fabrics. But that may change at some point, LOL!
Those are both gorgeous quilts, I totally agree! Red and green, brown and blue=just classic colorways that sing with the fabric prints and values they selected. I’ve never actually copied any quilt that I’ve seen because I really like the scrappy look and mix all different fabrics. But that may change at some point, LOL!
Yes. I love them both but if I were making it, I would have gone with the blues and tans. I like that primitive look.
Yes. I love them both but if I were making it, I would have gone with the blues and tans. I like that primitive look.
You know, one thing about reading blogs is that you get so enabled. I just love both of those quilts and both those colorways. Now I know I need that pattern (and maybe the kid)! :o)
You know, one thing about reading blogs is that you get so enabled. I just love both of those quilts and both those colorways. Now I know I need that pattern (and maybe the kid)! :o)
I too was going to make ‘Brown Eyed Girl’ exactly like Miss Rosie’s version. Now, not so sure. I do consider what I have in my ‘stash’ before making a quilt because if I use from there – ‘It’s Free!”
Marsha
P.S. I just sent you a picture of Wind Farm in Old Primrose Inn. Thanks for your interest.
I too was going to make ‘Brown Eyed Girl’ exactly like Miss Rosie’s version. Now, not so sure. I do consider what I have in my ‘stash’ before making a quilt because if I use from there – ‘It’s Free!”
Marsha
P.S. I just sent you a picture of Wind Farm in Old Primrose Inn. Thanks for your interest.