18 September 2009

excited !!!

Last friday I was lucky enough to attend (the) Kaffe Fassett's show and tell "Concentrate on Color". What a treat! I consider myself a big fan, and an owner of many (most) of his books about quilts....

In many ways he was my biggest inspiration to start quilting. I am fascinated by his use of color, even if I can admit, it sometimes can be a bit overwhelming. The use of colors is still one of the biggest attractions in quilting, for me.

I loved this quilt on the top picture, simple squares in a simple diagonal setting.


This second quilt is beautifully sunny in yellow and oranges. It is a class sample for a workshop called Potpourri that was taught the following day.

Kaffe showed a lot of pictures, talked about where he found his inspiration, and showed us a couple of beautiful, colorful quilts. The room was full, and people enjoyed themselves, soaking up inspiration. Very nice talk, followed by a book signing.

I brought one of my favorites,"Passionate Patchwork". Pretty big smile there!


It even gets better! Early next morning 30 women got together for his workshop, and I was one of the lucky ones!!! We all had precut a lot of fabric in large and medium scale flowers of similar contrast into three sizes of squares. Everybody also brought a flannel sheet or piece of batting that got taped to the wall.

Then we arranged the squares according to the pattern, stepped back and started re-arranging, a lot....

It was a lot of fun, and quite intense, too. First step was to eliminate the "jarring breaks" in value. Any squares that is too dark or light has to be removed. A reduction glass is a good tool. Some friendly swapping between fellow quilters is also a good thing, at this stage.

And then I got a friendly comment from (the) Brandon Mably that my quilt looked a bit like a can of chopped tomatoes!!


So, what do you do with a can of chopped tomatoes?

Here comes the brilliant part: the very talented, earlier mentioned, Brandon, makes suggestions for how to broaden your palette. And the wonderful Liz of Kaktus Quilts, who very cleverly arranged this lovely workshop, has a whole stash of fabric waiting to be added to the quilts.

Brandon suggested adding his new fabric "Dapple", in blue and pink, and voila - good things start to happen. If you look closely, you can tell the difference in these to pictures. What do you think?



Working side by side, different palette, same pattern. It was great seeing all the different versions of the same quilt at the end of the day. And see how they all came together, with some expertise advice from Kaffe and Brandon. What a day, what a treat!!


Again, big smile! I loved having the privilege of asking advise from this clever artist. Look at the pretty border treatment he suggested I use: pink Guinea Flowers and deep red Russian Rose, both by KF. Love it!

I also got pretty candid answers and advise from Brandon. Which I actually followed! So, by now I think you all get it, IMHO this guy is a star!!!


And here at last Kaffe is doing the final talk through the 30 quilts to be. We all listened carefully as he commented on each and every quilt. He was quite positive and encouraging in his final review.

I was told I had managed to pull off a rather difficult composition of a narrow color-range without it looking like one, solid piece of fabric (in other words, not a can of chopped tomatoes anymore!)

8 intense hours of concentrating on colors, 2 inspiring and great teachers, 30 hardworking women, a very nice lunch, and some new acquaintances later, we pinned down all the squares, rolled up the flannels and left for home....

Exiting and exhausting. Big smile. If you ever have a chance to do a workshop with these colorful artists, you are in for a treat!!

The big smile is still on my face, I have taped the batting on the wall of the dining room, rearranged the patches some more, and even started sewing ....

To be continued...

30 comments:

Unknown said...

wow! What an amazing experience!!! Your layout does look wonderful, you'll treasure it forever!

Quiltefia said...

Hei!! Så heldig du har vært!! Jeg har vært på et foredrag med ham på et årsmøte i Nqf. Og jeg har prøvd å strikke fra bøkene hans!!men han er en stor kunstner som det ikke er lett å gjøre etter....Gleder meg til å se hvordan quilten din blir!!AnneK

Anita said...

I'm very envious, it looks like a lot of fun.

Robin Quilts, etc. said...

Sounds like you had a wonderful time. Can't wait to see it finished.

antique quilter said...

oh my gosh how lucky were you!!!!
I would love to do a workshop with the two of them
Love your quilt btw ;)
glad you had so much fun.
Kathie

Shelina (formerly known as Shasta) said...

Sounds like a great, inspirational workshop. The additional fabrics add a lot to your layout.

MichelleB said...

Lucky you! It sounds like a fabulous experience. I love the quilt and thanks for sharing all the details.

Anonymous said...

wow, you lucky woman!

Michelle said...

Oh you are so lucky and I am sooooooooo....envious. Where did you take your class. I wanted to take one at Cornell, NY which was completely full by the time I found out about it...and it was only about 3 hrs from me. I have all his books and I carry his fabric on my etsy site. I can't wait to see his new book on romantic quilts did you get a sneek peek or chance to buy. Stop by and visit me. I just posted a zigzag quilt I did using his fabrics.
http://rosebudquilting.blogspot.com

Karen said...

How nice is that! I love your can of chopped tomatoes! He will be attending the Creativ Festival in Toronto, Canada in October. I believe his classes are already sold out, but I will track him down.

Allie said...

Oh my goodness your quilt is beautiful - great job, and what a great experience!

Red Pepper Quilts - Rita Hodge said...

What an amazing experience! I have attended some of Kaffe's lectures, but never a workshop. Wish I had been there. Kaffe and his books have always been a great inspiration and have taught me much about color and mixing fabrics. Your quilt looks wonderful!!

Una said...

WOW, Marit! I'll have to read the whole post later - no time on hand now:(- the pics are great. Thanks for showing!!! Mmmm. You lucky one, you!!
OK. That sounded envious - but in a good way I assure you:D

Bunny said...

Oh you lucky girl, he is one of my favourite quilt artist and I have several of his books. Enjoy

Sonja♥ said...

What a wonderful post!!!
What a wonderful workshop!!!
I can tell, I SEE the difference between the "cann of chopped tomatoes" (which I like veryr much!) and the "dapple in blue and pink":)))
I think you're gonna cherish this quilt forever!!!!

Nina Lise@Mrs Moen said...

Looks like you had a great time, Marit, and the chopped tomatoes turned out fab with the little blue additions (well, I actually love canned tomatoes, but anyway); looking forward to see the finished quilt!

Janet said...

I'm drooling all over the keyboard. How wonderful, that's a quilt I'd love to do. I have to say, I love yours the best and the blue is so perfect. It looks like the border is made for it. Valuablr experience and thank you for sharing so much about it.

Pamela S. said...

Did you mean to title this "exited", as in I have left the building, or excited?

It does look like a fun time ~

shellysquilts said...

Fabulous! Looks like you had a wonderful workshop experience. Happy Quilting!

Anne said...

Dette må ha vært en flott workshop. Er fan av Kaffe Fassett selv. Jeg fant bloggen din helt tilfeldig og har bladd meg nedover - masse spennende, masse inspirerende, stor variasjon og spennvidde - tusen takk for titten!

Jantine said...

Wow, that sounds like a lot of fun. I have been comparing your pictures, also from your newer post. And Brandon was right, the blue pink fabric fits in just perfectly!

susan said...

sigh. i am thoroughtly green. what a weekend that must have been. i have been building my stash of kaffe for a bit, but dont have enough yet to do it right. kudos on your quilt, its beautiful

Cathy @ CabbageQuilts said...

Oh Wow, I wish I was there, how wonderful that you not only got to meet Kaffe and Brandon, but you did a workshop with them!!!! Your quilt looks fabulous, I do love the bits of blue in there. Have you got there new book Quilt Romance? I just love it (I have all their others too!!!) xo

Quiltycat said...

What a wonderful experience you have had! I definitely love Kaffe Fassett. Your Rose quilt has a really Kaffe's mood. Have fun!
nichi

Harmony Hopes Studio said...

How rich your piece is. An intense workshop but I am sure you went home with a volumes of new knowledge. Well done.

KateKwiltz said...

Lucky, lucky, lucky you! What a great experience! And your quilt is gorgeous!

jacquie said...

what a wonderful experience! congrats on a great composition.

Sew Create It - Jane said...

Looks like it was a wonderful day full of inspiration and colour!

jmb_craftypickle said...

WOw!!! What an exciting post! I love your quilt and can't wait to see it finished!

Anonymous said...

How awesome. I missed him here in Seattle. It's amazing how a different color or value really can draw the eye in a quilt.