Monday 3 June 2019

Possibly, maybe...

Possibly, just possibly, this is going somewhere okay.

I spent a week away from the ice cream colours thinking, basically, that this was a big fat no.  Too sweet, too mushy, too much like hard work.  Blah.  But somewhere along the line I decided to see if I could track down a green I liked and when I found one (in a shop, not a box, I have to admit) I found some other things I thought might work too.  Since I went organic I haven't really done this, but these are all organic so I placed an order.  My thinking was that the black and white prints needed a bit more help; I wanted just a smidge of that green that's in the magpie print but also a few bits that had more pattern to them.  All the shirts have stripes or a check, but they're all so subtle they might as well not be there really.  

Here's what I got.
I pulled apart one of the chunks I'd made already, ripped out a couple of the pastel shirts and added in a bit more variety.  Like this.
It's not that big a difference (see below left for an untweaked block) but I like it a lot better.  It is genuinely a coincidence that I am adding in an extra bird fabric - bought because the colours were right and it was on sale.  Now I think I just need to get more iterations with these new additions, so that I can start to develop a bit of rhythm.
That's the theory, anyway.

15 comments:

patty a. said...

Those additional prints are toning down the sweet. I can see how you will just needs slivers of that green or else it would take over.

Julierose said...

I like the new & improved version--just that little pop of green makes all the difference along with those prints...fascinating to watch your process...
thanks for sharing your thoughts as you go...hugs, Julierose

Julierose said...

Oh and P.S. I especially love that little bird among the reeds fabric--looks Japanese-ey...so light and airy, too ;)))) hugs, Julierose

Quiltdivajulie said...

The plaids are subtle but they add to the presence of the quilt. Like where you are going with this.

julieQ said...

I love the way your brain fits fabrics together...lovely!

Robin said...

I'm always amazed at what combinations you put together that work out. You have a knack.

helenjean@midgetgemquilts said...

today I went to the charity shop, to leave in and look for shirts. Flip, £2.95 for shirts from Tesco and Primark! I will go stash diving, I wanted sustainable fabric for some project bags I want to make.
Love how yours is coming together.

Doris said...

Yes, more contrast makes it less sweet. As always it is interesting how you find your solutions. Looking forward

Janie said...

The mix heats up! Lovely fun and inspiration Kaja.

audrey said...

It's funny how working with too many 'sweet' looking fabric can almost paralyze us after a point! This is looking very interesting!:)

Kim said...

I love these new fabrics you have acquired. LOVE the little tan accent in the bottom left corner. I always visit your place and know I will be surprised at what you have imagined, BUT, it is always a wonderful surprise.

Ann said...

I agree that there new prints help. When I only have one print the solids end up looking like the selvedge description.

Ann said...

Sorry. Hit enter too soon.
This way you are the one telling the story rather than sending instructions to the printer. Plus I always love additional prints.

Linda @ kokaquilts said...

I like the 'new' version, especially the addition of the darker bit of green/tan, and the reshuffling of that sweeter mix. And I really enjoyed reading about how you got to this point!

Carli The Quilter said...

These birdie blocks are so sweet.