I'm including both sampler quilts because both came out of the same BOM program at the local quilt shop. That BOM was one of the most fun and challenging I've ever participated in. It was called the Brown Bag challenge. The first month everyone brought in a paper bag with enough yardage to make 12 blocks and then went home with someone else's bag with instructions to make any block we wanted so long as it finished at 12". Since these blocks were going to other quilters, many with a lot more experience than I had, I decided to pick a few of my fabrics to make "test" blocks before I made the block that had to go back in the bag. That way I could figure out the instructions on my block and then not mess up the block that had to go back in the bag. The plus was I'd get enough blocks from this BOM to make two quilts. Here's what my blocks and the blocks that went back in the bag looked like.
The block on the left of each pair is my block, the block on the right was made from the fabric in the bag I brought home each month. It was quite a lesson in color theory. It was a wonderful chance to work with color combinations that weren't really my style. It was a lot of fun. Here's the quilt made from my blocks.
 |
| Paisley Roses finished in February 2011 |
I was pretty happy with how it worked out. This quilt now lives at my sister's.
Unfortunately, I was a little disappointed when I got my brown bag back at the end of the year. My bag was short a couple of blocks and a couple of the blocks in the bag had significant construction problems that required some rework before they could be used. I made another 3 blocks for a complete group of 12 and then set them together.
 |
| The Brown Bag Quilt finished in May 2011 |
The Brown Bag Quilt stays up in the closet till Drama Teen has a sleep over. Then it's used for cuddling while the girls eat popcorn and watch movies.
I didn't intend to end up with two pink and green quilts, that just sorta happened. Both quilts were wonderful learning experiences, not just in making the blocks but in coming up with setting options.
That's all from my archives this week. You can see more quilty history over at Val's Quilting Studio.
Okay that brown bag BOM sampler....you are so right when ya say the challenge was in the color combining, esp. when working with fabrics that aren't are genre. (Seriously, Kate, my eyes would have bugging out when the idea was presented and I'd need ya to be standing next to me, poking me in side, reassuring me "it's just about the lesson Val." LOL!! Beside I've really learned that samplers are an opporutity to learn, as you said, in the end atleast make good "sleepover" quilt for later! LOL!!!
ReplyDeleteLove the Paisley Roses! Yes, we need to look at things as a learning experience. And although your 'bag' quilt didn't turn out the way you would have expected it is being used, loved, and wrapping someone in hugs .
ReplyDeleteWhat Sharon said.
ReplyDeleteI would have done the 'test' blocks too, before cutting into someone else's fabric. Getting the extra quilt was a lovely reward for being conscientious.
You did a great job with what you were given, it is a victory! Finished is always better than perfect.
ReplyDeleteThat was so smart to make a test block with your own fabrics before cutting into someone else's fabric. Both of your pink and green quilts are beautiful! Such a pretty color combo.
ReplyDeleteBoth beautiful quilts and wonderful samplers. I especially like the first one. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteBoth a great quits and it was a good idea to do one "sample" block before doing the bag block. Was the setting on the Paisley Roses quilt given in the BOM program or was it your design? I really like how it sets off the BOM blocks. Thanks for sharing these at Val's!
ReplyDeleteBoth quilts are beautiful but I really like the setting on Paisley Roses. It is a good way to set 12 blocks and have a nice sized quilt.
ReplyDelete