19 October 2012

playtime

It's friday and I have a finish to share. A bit of a long story...
Sandy Klop of American Jane was one of the first designers I fell in love with when I started quilting. The colors and retro feel of her fabric lines was so playful and plain irresistible ; )

So I started collecting charm packs: Peas and Carrots, Wee play, Recess and Punctuation. The first one ended up in my first charm quilt on a rainy day with some other favorites including Katie Jump Rope by Denyse Schmidt. 

Anyway, I wanted to make a hourglass quilt using these next three charm packs from Sandy Klop. So I paired them with some white solid and got to work:  

first layout: quite busy to the eye?

At this stage I sewed 9 hourglasses together into a block and started reviewing different options:

second layout: grouping the blocks with sashing?

third layout: checkerboard?

At this point I decided to divide the blocks in two quilts, one frame (layout 4)and one on bay(layout 5):

I think this is when the two tops were put away for some time. Until one day I had another idea:

sixth layout: an offset, asymmetrical frame

My first plan was to add a girl (see tutorial in the side bar). In the end I decided to make a big hourglass:

And here it is, my playtime finishes at 48" by 60", long arm quilted on quilters dream select cotton batting. 


The back is from her latest collection, School Days. I think it's good to pair the lively front with a more quiet back. And I was lucky to have just enough left of the red stripe binding to frame it. Just love this print, it's the perfect binding option.  

Long story, happy ending...

Sometimes it takes a while. Including a bit of shelf time. Now I am falling in love again. And I think I might have an idea on what to make from those precious Sandy Klop jelly rolls that have been maturing in my stash...

Wish you all a good weekend! 

; )

26 comments:

Jodi said...

Wonderful quilt, great idea of the big hourglass that I might just have to "borrow." I'm doing a scrappy quilt with mini four patches and HSTs, but it's quite busy and getting kind of boring. Maybe a large four patch is just the thing! Thanks for sharing, and as usual, I LOVE your creativity!

Heidi said...

what a wonderful quilt. and I love the idea of that big block too.
Triangles are the best !

Fran said...

It's stunning! Everything about it: the fabrics, the design, and the quilting. Enjoy it!

Unknown said...

I was dizzy! I certainly see the dilemmas of how to place it and the fun you had putting it together. Fun, fun quilt. Love it! I laughed as I was going down the pics. and thought you must have been too!

Brenda said...

that's a perfect solution. I'm a fan of letting projects rest if they're not working out. I love,love, love how the big hour glass breaks up all the rest of them and how it gives the quilt focus and playfulness. great finish!

Brenda said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
carla said...

Hi!!! It is sew pretty!!! I liked all of the lay outs!!! Pretty any way you put it!!!

Nifty Quilts said...

I love your creative and original solution! I also find that a bit of a break can help an idea bloom.

Sew Create It - Jane said...

So many wonderful layouts and ideas!! I like the one you settled on...very pretty.

KateKwiltz said...

Beautiful! I am in love with hourglasses...and this one is perfect! Love the idea!

verykerryberry said...

I loved having a little insight into your design process, it just shows there are often no shortcuts, time and consideration are everything

Lynne said...

I loved looking at all the different layouts and really like your final choice.

CitricSugar said...

Process is so much fun to watch from start to end.

It's gorgeous. I may have to use that frame idea...

Anonymous said...

Love it! What a great quilt!

Sharon said...

What a fun quilt and a great story! Some quilts just need a little time to "jell", don't they? This looks so fun, and I like seeing your playing with the different layouts. You're very creative!

Nat at Made in Home said...

Wonderful quilt! And love the process to get to the layout

Pokey said...

I sure enjoyed your story and layout process! Isn't it fun to see so many opportunities happening with a simple square? BTW, I have an admiration for American Jane, also ~
:-}pokey

Lucy | Charm About You said...

Marit that is fabulous and I adore your final quilt! I totally agree her designs are utterly gorgeous :)

Carla said...

Sandy Klop fabrics are favs of mine, as well. You chose a cute pattern to showcase them andI love how you turned a traditonal design into a modern one!

Unknown said...

That a very cool quilt. Its like you were just playing when you've done it. It very playful looking.
printing business cards

Lappedamen said...

Artig å se hvordan arbeidet skred frem og hvordan det endelige resultatet ble. Kjempeflott.

Franziska said...

makes me want to make a colourful hourglas quilt like your's, too. I read your blog for some time now. Thanks for inspiring me. Greetings from Germany. Franziska

Franziska said...

makes me want to make a colourful hourglas quilt like your's, too. I read your blog for some time now. Thanks for inspiring me. Greetings from Germany. Franziska

sew katie did said...

Love all the layouts. Super fun!

Fabric Warrior (aka Amie) said...

So many options! I love the one you finally chose. So pretty!

Grayson Nelson said...

I, too, am a big fan of American Jane! I've been wondering what to do with the School Days line I recently purchased, and you've given me a great option here!! I just love your quilts. They are simply yummy!