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Update: HERE’S my finished quilt top with these blocks.
It’s about time I started something new! Full of color is not how I would describe my typical quilts. Over two years ago, you would only see low volume this and low volume that around here. Low volumes are still my comfort fabrics, but I’ve veered plenty of times now from low volume. I’m learning to use and enjoy color too!
Sticking with the same hobby for years on end now has forced me to experiment and try new things. In many ways, this blog has forced a good bit of sewing consistency in me. As a result of trying so many new things and learning so much, I’ve gained a lot of creative confidence outside the realm of sewing as well.
As you’ve followed along on this quilting journey, I’m sure you’ve seen my tastes divert a number of times. Buying fabrics with deep hues or eye catching florals was something I’d never tried before.
These fabrics have been sitting on my shelves for quite some time now. It was time to pull them out. They are all Cotton & Steel fabrics. Most of these are going to be hard to find, but if you have a question on any of the fabric, be sure to ask in the comments!
Then Came June posted this Flying Geese quilt a while ago. If you clicked through to see her quilt, you probably don’t look at her quilt thinking, ‘that is so Kelli! It looks like something she’d make.’
But I love it! I love the colors…even the red!
Even though I like her mix of solids and prints, I’m going to use what I have and stick to the prints already sitting on my shelves.
I’m using big blocks for this one! Yes. I want a simple, fast, non-stressful quilt. 🙂 My finished flying geese are ten inches by five inches.
I found this tutorial online for making no waste flying geese blocks. There are lots of tutorials where you clip the corners off. Then you end up with stacks and stacks of corners clipped off…or essentially wasted fabric.
The tutorial I linked above shows you how to do the no waste method. It’s worked well for me. Like I mentioned, my geese finish at ten inches by five inches. I start with one large 11 1/4 inch square for the insides. I then cut four 5 7/8 inch blocks for the outer fabrics.
These blocks are much ‘louder’ than I’m used to. The prints are adorable and stray far from the florals and stripes I’m more accustomed to. These strawberries have been a favorite for a long time, and it was fun today to FINALLY cut in to them.
They are from the line called Yours Truly. They are the strawberries in peach. There isn’t much yardage left in the online world for this fabric.
Two thumbs up for the sheep. I’m thoroughly enjoying the use of all these somewhat quirky prints. You know what I mean? Is it okay as an adult to use fabric with little sheep on it?
I guarantee this quilt is going in the living room when it’s done. 🙂
The sheep are also getting harder and harder to find. They are called Panorama Sheep in Water by Cotton & Steel.
Oh my chicken fabric. I finally cut into my chicken fabric. It’s still adorable in my eyes. And fully appropriate paired with the sheep and strawberries pictured above. It’s a wonderful thing about patchwork. Pairing some things that make no sense at all but make perfect sense once the quilt is done and quilted.
I have not had the courage to chop up my chicken egg fabric yet. (See below.) It will be used by the time I’m finished making blocks. I love that blue though.
You guys, it feels good to clean off my fabric shelves. I have not stopped buying fabric completely, but seeing empty spots is a good indication that I’m finally sewing at a similar rate as my buying.
Hopefully I’m setting myself up well to begin hand quilting this top about the time I’m finished with my half square triangle quilt.
Any other flying geese quilters out there? I’d love inspiration pictures and links as I try to figure out the layout.
