Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Instant gratification girl - pattern testing

Windmills and Trees Quilt - so far


I hate to wait, I buy the floor model, I pay for express shipping - there is no doubt that I am instant gratification girl. Well, in quilting that can be translated into pattern testing - getting to try the newest thing first.


So, on Sunday I pulled out all the calm beachy fabrics I brought along to work with over the summer after being reminded by Krista from Poppyprint of how much I love them. I am making these lovely understated pinwheels -  the value differences are subtle, low volume, which is what I am hoping for. You see I am pattern testing Lynne at Lily's Quilts' Windmills and Trees Quilt.

Windmills and Trees Cot Quilt

Isn't it wonderful - that is a picture I borrowed from  Lynne's blog, Lily's Quilts, do go and see all the other pictures of this quilt too.

Windmills and Trees Quilt - making hsts

So far I am mostly doing this. I do like making HSTs and Lynne has picked my favourite way to make them in her pattern. For me, the key is trimming them - although it takes time, the results are sure worth it. Music helps too.

Windmills and Trees Quilt - possible trees

I have decided that I will make my quilt into a lap size and it will be for me. I need to decide on the tree fabrics. Maybe nice light, cheery greens?

Windmills and Trees Quilt - possible trees

Or bright blue, aqua and purples?

Windmills and Trees Quilt - possible trees

Or this group of reds? For today, I am leaning to the reds, but any thoughts are welcome. I may need to find more options too. The tree trunks will be various browns and dark grays, I will show those to you later.

Windmills and Trees Quilt - so far

There are those pinwheels again from a bit of an angle. There is a value difference in each HST and I think the pinwheels are easier to see on a bit of an angle. I have worked with such bright colours lately but for this project, the calm and peacefulness of this group of blue, gray, cream, white, taupe, and brown is speaking to me.

So I get to connect with one of my friends who was also one of my teachers at the Fat Quarterly Retreat, the host of my first ever QAL and one of my favourite sources of inspiration and energy for quilting, and I get to make this pattern early - great fun and instant gratification too!

Don't worry, I think Lynne will make the pattern available fairly soon (and it will be all tested and everything) and then you can make one too.

Best,

Leanne

25 comments:

Charlotte said...

beautiful! I vote for the blue/aqua/purple for the trees :-D

Mrs Flying Blind... said...

Yep, I'm with Charlotte all the way!

mathea said...

The background is looking good. I vote for the blue aqua group - or you could make one of each...

JuliePickles said...

I am SO digging the greens, such a lovely mix!

Canadian Abroad said...

I'm with the blue team. I just think it will be such a relaxing quilt while still having the impact of those colours in the trees. I would usually say red so this is totally out of character for me!!

Elisabeth said...

Wow, it looks gorgeous in your calm colours. Funnily enough I thought of the blues too when I saw the three pictures.
Can't wait to see it finished.

Leslie said...

pattern testing sounds fun!!! i love the greens for the trees!

Lynne (Lily's Quilts) said...

Love the post. Love your neutrals but here's the thing. I'm not keen on any of your choices for the tree tops and trunks. With those soft blues, I'd go for a sort of deep purple or purpley red like a burgundy or an inky purple. So maybe you have to shop from hol!

stephmabry said...

I love the reds, too!

Catherine said...

I love the greens-they would really stand out against those fabulous grey/blues. Great fabrics all round

Cindy said...

Eee! I can't wait to see more of this. I am super excited to follow you on this journey. I'd totally go for the blues or reds. they'll really pop against the background.

Sarah said...

I like all the options :-) got any that are a mix between red and those purples?!! Dark hot pinks and berries? Really loving your neutrals though, so soft.

Katy Cameron said...

Of those choices, I'm voting for the reds, I just can't see the blues and greens going with the background. Sure it'll look fab though anyway :o)

Sheila said...

Hmm, you have a real range of opinions so far Leanne. I love the background and my first inclination is to the green or red but the blue surely would fit with the beachy feel...glad you have to make the decision.

Katherine said...

Voting for the blues. It will be gorgeous, Leanne! Have fun.

Anonymous said...

Lovely and I'm certainly an instant gratification girl too :) I love the greens the most but I don't think they will have as much contrast. interesting what Lynne said. hmmm what to do :)

elle said...

I make HST's like you. This is very cute. I thought reds but...
Maybe the blue greens. The greens are nice but maybe too predictable. ???

Emma said...

My vote would be the reds.

MariQuilts said...

I can't tell, without actually seeing some scraps of colour laid out on the background. Really helpful aren't I.

Anne / Springleaf Studios said...

My thought is to either keep it really soothing and calm and go for darker teal trees or throw is something more color complimentary to the aquas like some juicy oranges. Also curious about the pattern testing. I've just published my first couple of patterns and might have need of some future testing.

Debbie said...

cool you are pattern testing - love the fabrics you are working with!

Run Quilt Knit Write said...

I'm an aqua girl, so I would choose them - but the others would be lovely too - can't wait to see how this turns out Leanne!

Archie The Wonder Dog said...

Looks like fun!!

www.randomthoughtsdoordi.com said...

this is going to be beautiful no matter which color you use for the trees, but I do love the red.

Jess @ Elven Garden Quilts said...

Love your neutrals - so calm, yet still a lot of movement. I normally love blues/greens but I'm drawn more to the reds for this. Good luck deciding!