Honestly, friends, I got nothin' here. I am so sorry to be inconsistent in my blog posting, as I know many of you look for my morning news flash. I have to admit, I am in a bit of a dry patch. Lots happening on a personal level, maybe I will share, maybe I will keep it to myself. Nothing major, just enough so no sewing is happening and my mind is a mush pot.
I did get a lovely email from a reader this week, which gave me an idea for a blog post topic. Krista asked me for some advice regarding a quilt I made called Flowers for Clara. You may remember it. A Bonnie Blue pattern I made in 2010, which is one of my all time favorite quilts.
Krista asked me if I had used one consistent background fabric for the blocks and border. I did do this in my quilt. She wondered if a scrappy neutral approach would work for block backgrounds and border as an alternative choice.
I had to think on this for a minute, and decided that for me, with the scrappy blocks and the applique going on in the border, that one uniform background/border fabric would be my choice if I had to do it again. However, that being said, if Krista has a great stash of civil war reproduction neutrals, and that busier look is what she is going for, she should follow her instincts. My advice to her though, was to look for a caramel tone on tone and use that for both blocks and border. I suggested this Kansas Troubles fabric:
She also asked if a solid might be a viable option to use as a background fabric for this project, and I advised her strongly against it. In my opinion, a solid would be too flat, too boring, one dimensional, and not really typical of a quilt from the 1800's. I think you need the warmth and the texture of a tone on tone print.
What do you all think? Did I steer her in the right direction? I'd love it if you weighed in, especially if you have differing opinions to mine. Krista reads my blog and hopefully will see your comments.
52 responses to “I Got the Blues”
Hi Nicole! Sometimes people need time for “re-entry” after a trip (or two). Let yourself rest and recharge, and we’ll see you on the other side~
Hi Nicole! Sometimes people need time for “re-entry” after a trip (or two). Let yourself rest and recharge, and we’ll see you on the other side~
think your advise is spot on. Your quilt looks warm and inviting and that background fabric is perfect. Please dont be too down in yourself you have a lot in your life to be proud and thankful for. I know that sometimes its hard to think like that but these things like family and friends personal skills and all the things that make you you are all constant and will re appear and things will be back on track.Some good sleep and a little peace and quiet for personal head space are very important.Do nothing sit back watch a bit of mindless tv eat chocolate and take some walks.I.ve just been to the dentist and now i’ve got a big fat mouth so i’m sat dribbleing and hungry but can’t eat or drink untill this evening.Ah well at least he has saved my tooth.Chin up as we say in England lots of people are thinking of you. Kathxx
think your advise is spot on. Your quilt looks warm and inviting and that background fabric is perfect. Please dont be too down in yourself you have a lot in your life to be proud and thankful for. I know that sometimes its hard to think like that but these things like family and friends personal skills and all the things that make you you are all constant and will re appear and things will be back on track.Some good sleep and a little peace and quiet for personal head space are very important.Do nothing sit back watch a bit of mindless tv eat chocolate and take some walks.I.ve just been to the dentist and now i’ve got a big fat mouth so i’m sat dribbleing and hungry but can’t eat or drink untill this evening.Ah well at least he has saved my tooth.Chin up as we say in England lots of people are thinking of you. Kathxx
I agree with your background fabric gives it a warm feeling….also I learned a really good lesson from a wonderful teacher Freddie Moran….if you have a busy quilt you need one fabric throughout the quilt so your eyes can rest…..
I agree with your background fabric gives it a warm feeling….also I learned a really good lesson from a wonderful teacher Freddie Moran….if you have a busy quilt you need one fabric throughout the quilt so your eyes can rest…..
I like your fabric suggestion – Moda marbles also have a feel of a solid with a very subtle tone on tone feeling.
I know how you feel – blogging has been very hard for me to get to over the last few months. So many other things that are using my brain and feeling too tired to post. Don’t worry about it.
I like your fabric suggestion – Moda marbles also have a feel of a solid with a very subtle tone on tone feeling.
I know how you feel – blogging has been very hard for me to get to over the last few months. So many other things that are using my brain and feeling too tired to post. Don’t worry about it.
Wow, funny how you can read our minds that we wonder where you are and what you’re doing 🙂 Hope everything is okay…sending hugs and well wishes your way! As for the advice, I think you are spot on for creating a look similar to yours or 1800’s but can you imagine modernizing it with batiks! You would get a totally different look, especially if she went modern fabrics and kona solids or pastels and moda bellas. I think that pattern could be interpreted all kinds of ways but without sashing you probably need that unity of background to keep it grounded. Nice to hear from you 🙂
Wow, funny how you can read our minds that we wonder where you are and what you’re doing 🙂 Hope everything is okay…sending hugs and well wishes your way! As for the advice, I think you are spot on for creating a look similar to yours or 1800’s but can you imagine modernizing it with batiks! You would get a totally different look, especially if she went modern fabrics and kona solids or pastels and moda bellas. I think that pattern could be interpreted all kinds of ways but without sashing you probably need that unity of background to keep it grounded. Nice to hear from you 🙂
Nicole, sorry to hear you are in a rough patch! Hope it smoothes out very soon. It is no fun to be in a funk.
I think your advice was great for getting that cohesive look that puts the emphasis on the different colored prints and keeps the background in the background. That is a great KT print–I want some! Me, I love the totally scrappy look–and I’m cheap and don’t buy multiple yards of fabric at once very often–so I would love a mix of background fabrics. Aren’t we lucky to have so many choices?
Nicole, sorry to hear you are in a rough patch! Hope it smoothes out very soon. It is no fun to be in a funk.
I think your advice was great for getting that cohesive look that puts the emphasis on the different colored prints and keeps the background in the background. That is a great KT print–I want some! Me, I love the totally scrappy look–and I’m cheap and don’t buy multiple yards of fabric at once very often–so I would love a mix of background fabrics. Aren’t we lucky to have so many choices?
Your advice was spot on.
Your advice was spot on.
Don’t worry, Nicole, we all get blog block from time to time. And I personally have mush brain quite frequently.
Don’t worry, Nicole, we all get blog block from time to time. And I personally have mush brain quite frequently.
Hi Nicole,
I like the background fabric a lot. Take care of yourself. We all have such “full plates” these days and are bombarded with media all the time it is just overwhelming sometimes. Hope you and Eva are having a lot of fun together. She is so dang cute.
Mary
Hi Nicole,
I like the background fabric a lot. Take care of yourself. We all have such “full plates” these days and are bombarded with media all the time it is just overwhelming sometimes. Hope you and Eva are having a lot of fun together. She is so dang cute.
Mary
Hi Nicole, I hope Grandpa is doing alright. If you don’t have time to sit at the machine try working on an embroidery project that you have started. I keep a zipped bag with one or two embroidery projects AND a little sewing etui always ready to grab and go. That way i can stitch while waiting at doc appts, guitar lesson, dinner in the oven, and all the other stuff that requires one to wait. If I only get 10 or 15 mins to stitch is still calms me. ;p
I agree with your background/border advice. A solid would look flat to me. ;p
Hi Nicole, I hope Grandpa is doing alright. If you don’t have time to sit at the machine try working on an embroidery project that you have started. I keep a zipped bag with one or two embroidery projects AND a little sewing etui always ready to grab and go. That way i can stitch while waiting at doc appts, guitar lesson, dinner in the oven, and all the other stuff that requires one to wait. If I only get 10 or 15 mins to stitch is still calms me. ;p
I agree with your background/border advice. A solid would look flat to me. ;p
Sending you a big ole’ hug!
Sending you a big ole’ hug!
Sending you a big hug because I’m right there with you! We lost our 5 1/2 year old male doxie on 9-13 to a severe back injury, very sudden and I’ve been in a major state of depression ever since. We have an 8 1/2 year old female, which I love her dearly, but we all miss him terribly!! I just can’t get back in the swing of things because he was my sewing companion, and I look at his empty bed every time I go in that room now…time heals all, or so I’m told. Hang in there!
Sending you a big hug because I’m right there with you! We lost our 5 1/2 year old male doxie on 9-13 to a severe back injury, very sudden and I’ve been in a major state of depression ever since. We have an 8 1/2 year old female, which I love her dearly, but we all miss him terribly!! I just can’t get back in the swing of things because he was my sewing companion, and I look at his empty bed every time I go in that room now…time heals all, or so I’m told. Hang in there!
Hi Nicole, no pressure from me for you to post every day, I am always delighted when you do post. But don’t go on a guilt trip.
I totally agree with you about using the same fabric for backgrounds and borders. I think your Kansas Trouble choice is great!
Hi Nicole, no pressure from me for you to post every day, I am always delighted when you do post. But don’t go on a guilt trip.
I totally agree with you about using the same fabric for backgrounds and borders. I think your Kansas Trouble choice is great!
On the blogging thing… It should be fun and not a task. When it becomes a task then it, typically, stops being fun. I think the best part of blogging is all the friends I have met alone the way and I don’t think any of my friends would take me to task for not blogging. They might drop me an email and ask if I’m okay, but it would be more out of concern. No stress!
I agree 100% with your assessment on the fabric choices. I do use some solids on my quilts but on a repro? Nope. I definitely would need to see some print.
On the blogging thing… It should be fun and not a task. When it becomes a task then it, typically, stops being fun. I think the best part of blogging is all the friends I have met alone the way and I don’t think any of my friends would take me to task for not blogging. They might drop me an email and ask if I’m okay, but it would be more out of concern. No stress!
I agree 100% with your assessment on the fabric choices. I do use some solids on my quilts but on a repro? Nope. I definitely would need to see some print.
So glad to ‘see’ you today! I have to agree with other commenters that if blogging becomes a ‘job’ then it won’t be fun anymore! You’re allowed to give yourself permission to back off for awhile! We’ll all be here waiting for you when you feel motivated!
In my opinion, your suggestion to use a tone on tone will make Krista’s quilt have more interest but not be over bearing. I love that swatch and am heading over to The Fat Quarter Shop to check those out myself!
So glad to ‘see’ you today! I have to agree with other commenters that if blogging becomes a ‘job’ then it won’t be fun anymore! You’re allowed to give yourself permission to back off for awhile! We’ll all be here waiting for you when you feel motivated!
In my opinion, your suggestion to use a tone on tone will make Krista’s quilt have more interest but not be over bearing. I love that swatch and am heading over to The Fat Quarter Shop to check those out myself!
I have always loved the Flowers for Clara pattern. I think your background is perfect for that pattern. And we do miss you when you don’t post, but I agree with the others, we all need a little break now and again.
I have always loved the Flowers for Clara pattern. I think your background is perfect for that pattern. And we do miss you when you don’t post, but I agree with the others, we all need a little break now and again.
So sorry to hear you have the blues, Nicole. I hope all will be well, soon. I always blame it on the Autumnal Equinox. Just think – soon you will have your fun Halloween party to look forward to! Perfect advice to Krista and anyone else out there looking to use a neutral background!
Cheers!
So sorry to hear you have the blues, Nicole. I hope all will be well, soon. I always blame it on the Autumnal Equinox. Just think – soon you will have your fun Halloween party to look forward to! Perfect advice to Krista and anyone else out there looking to use a neutral background!
Cheers!
I haven’t read the various replies you’ve already received, but here is my two cents worth …
Since this quilt has so many fabrics in it, a consistent background tone-on-tone would be my choice for the background fabric, too. I LOVE scrappy quilts, but think the different fabrics in each block provide that nicely and a common background fabric with some quiet activity is the best compliment possible. That’s me. If Krista has enough of a solid neutral and likes the look, well, that’s good for her!
Hope you’re over your blues soon. I so enjoy your posts and look forward to what’s up on your blog each morning.
Hugs!
I haven’t read the various replies you’ve already received, but here is my two cents worth …
Since this quilt has so many fabrics in it, a consistent background tone-on-tone would be my choice for the background fabric, too. I LOVE scrappy quilts, but think the different fabrics in each block provide that nicely and a common background fabric with some quiet activity is the best compliment possible. That’s me. If Krista has enough of a solid neutral and likes the look, well, that’s good for her!
Hope you’re over your blues soon. I so enjoy your posts and look forward to what’s up on your blog each morning.
Hugs!
Nicole I hope you are feeling a bit more upbeat very soon. You have had so much fun recently in Ireland etc maybe that has made the bump back down to earth even more noticeable. I hope things pick up again soon – I keep reading it is 100 days to Christmas so we have that to look forward to!
I love your suggested choice of background fabric – I agree a plain might look too flat. After numerous quilting mistakes, I have learned how versatile tone on tone fabrics are and how they add depth compared to a plain fabric. Then again if the background fabric is too fussy, then sometimes the contrast gets lost a bit. I think the Kansas Troubles you selected looks spot on.
Your Flowers For Clara quilt is one of my favourites too – I remember you doing that beautiful border with the trailing flowers and leaves. Just lovely x
Nicole I hope you are feeling a bit more upbeat very soon. You have had so much fun recently in Ireland etc maybe that has made the bump back down to earth even more noticeable. I hope things pick up again soon – I keep reading it is 100 days to Christmas so we have that to look forward to!
I love your suggested choice of background fabric – I agree a plain might look too flat. After numerous quilting mistakes, I have learned how versatile tone on tone fabrics are and how they add depth compared to a plain fabric. Then again if the background fabric is too fussy, then sometimes the contrast gets lost a bit. I think the Kansas Troubles you selected looks spot on.
Your Flowers For Clara quilt is one of my favourites too – I remember you doing that beautiful border with the trailing flowers and leaves. Just lovely x
This might change your mind on scrappy backgrounds. http://beyondthecherrytree.blogspot.com/search/label/Mimi
I did this quilt top using one bg fabric, but this person used many and it’s fabulous. I usually do scrappy b.g. in lights and as long as they are in the same value, it works. It’s just a different look.
Hope you get your mojo back, we all have times like this, life just sometimes takes over our quilting time. Take care.
This might change your mind on scrappy backgrounds. http://beyondthecherrytree.blogspot.com/search/label/Mimi
I did this quilt top using one bg fabric, but this person used many and it’s fabulous. I usually do scrappy b.g. in lights and as long as they are in the same value, it works. It’s just a different look.
Hope you get your mojo back, we all have times like this, life just sometimes takes over our quilting time. Take care.
Your quilt is so beautiful..and I think your advice was perfect!
This was a great blog post…I think sometimes we feel we have to show an exciting finish to blog, but honestly, I love reading discussions like this and just thinking about all the different aspects of quilting. Thanks for sharing this post!
Your quilt is so beautiful..and I think your advice was perfect!
This was a great blog post…I think sometimes we feel we have to show an exciting finish to blog, but honestly, I love reading discussions like this and just thinking about all the different aspects of quilting. Thanks for sharing this post!
Hoping that your blues soon make way for sunny yellows. In the meantime, we’re with you!
Hoping that your blues soon make way for sunny yellows. In the meantime, we’re with you!
some times people just get that way. stress of life does not help.
some times people just get that way. stress of life does not help.
Sorry to hear about the slump. We all have them. After not sewing all summer I had a bit of trouble getting back into it but I have some projects, not all sewing related, lined up so I feel good. Enjoy the fall weather!
Sorry to hear about the slump. We all have them. After not sewing all summer I had a bit of trouble getting back into it but I have some projects, not all sewing related, lined up so I feel good. Enjoy the fall weather!
Try the 10 second smile ( sounds crazy but scientifically proven!) Go on a walk in your favourite part of town, give a compliment to a stranger and if all else fails put your feet up, pour yourself a glass of wine and watch some comedy! Know that you will come out of your slump! I love your blog no matter what you write!
Try the 10 second smile ( sounds crazy but scientifically proven!) Go on a walk in your favourite part of town, give a compliment to a stranger and if all else fails put your feet up, pour yourself a glass of wine and watch some comedy! Know that you will come out of your slump! I love your blog no matter what you write!
ooh yes – and I love what you picked! Perfect! Now I want some of that for my stash! :o) Just finished reading the other posts… so sorry things are hard right now – loved how you did your party with the wine and cupcakes – fellowship with sweet friends is a soothing balm! Hope you get to have some sewing therapy soon! :O) Hang in there!
ooh yes – and I love what you picked! Perfect! Now I want some of that for my stash! :o) Just finished reading the other posts… so sorry things are hard right now – loved how you did your party with the wine and cupcakes – fellowship with sweet friends is a soothing balm! Hope you get to have some sewing therapy soon! :O) Hang in there!