Tell us about your favorite quilt. When did you make it? What pattern did you use?
My all time favorite quilt is Cascade. I'm a huge fan of Kaffe Fassett fabrics and look to create designs that can showcase the fabrics well. The original design for Cascade had been taped to my wall for a good number of months before I finally started pulling fabrics and playing around. That was about four years ago. I have since gone on to create a pattern for the design and it's proven to be quite popular.
What do you like best about the quilt?
One of the things I like best about this quilt is the combinations of fabrics. I'm particularly drawn in by beautiful large scale prints and love letting my eye wander around the surface of the quilt taking in all the different prints. The other thing I love is the color scheme. The refreshing greens and aquas of the color palette along with the spark of purple just feel so relaxing and fresh to me. As the quilt evolved it began to evoke images of being in a lush tropical garden and viewing the foliage though the cascade of a waterfall . . . thus the name Cascade. One of these days I'd like to get a really nice photo of the quilt next to a waterfall but for now these will do nicely.
What memories or people does the quilt make you think of?
This quilt will always make me think of my daughter because she loved it so much she took it to college with her to hang on a big wall in her apartment. It will forever be hers. : )
How did you grow as a quilter while making it?
I grew as a quilter more in the area of design than actual quilting skills because Cascade is such an easy quilt to make. I did play with new machine quilting ideas by using free form curved lines done with my walking foot and variegated thread. I think it complements and softens the shapes of the triangles quite nicely. I also didn't want the scraps from the trimmed corners going to waste so I made three pillows from the leftovers. Now I look for ways to put scraps to use right as the quilt top is being sewn.
If you could make this quilt again, what (if anything) would you do differently?
I have remade this quilt design several times, each time discovering a different way to use the basic concept and come up with something totally new. I absolutely love the design process and finding ways to bring a new and different look to the same design. This exploration has become a regular part of my patterns. Here's a few of the variations I've made along with the bonus projects from the scraps.
If you read my blog you've seen this one before, but I hope you enjoyed reminiscing with me about My Favorite Quilt. What's your favorite quilt?
Cascade is SO pretty! It's good to know you've had such a great experience using Kaffe fabrics. This one shows off those prints so beautifully because of the way you placed the colors. And your other versions are wonderful too! I can see why it's been a popular pattern. Your posts are always loaded with eye candy.
ReplyDeleteAnne this is still one of my favourite quilts. Like you I love the colours you have used together and also the design. Reading your story and knowing more about the quilting just makes me even more fond of this one.
ReplyDeleteCascade is so lovely. My daughter in law still wants to make that quilt. I'll let you know if she does ; )
ReplyDeleteThis is such a fabulous pattern. I love every single version of it--and how versatile it is! I have to say that the Kaffe version in those beautiful cool colors really speak to me. It is such a perfect combination of his fabrics. And I can see why your daughter (who is also beautiful, by the way) claimed it! Plus how cool does it look with that green and white chevron?! This is making me contemplate another Kaffe purchase. I have the fabrics in my shopping cart--maybe I'll just hit the "buy" button. :)
ReplyDeleteI love this design and the quilt looks so beautiful on your daughter's wall..Have been happily working away on my version of your design and finished the queen sized quilt top today!
ReplyDeleteThis is so beautiful! I love the colors!
ReplyDeleteWhile I'm totally in love with Cascade, I was quite impressed also with the other versions of the design you made, and the small projects with the trimmed corners. You never cease to amaze me with all that you accomplish! Now I want to get going on it this fall, thinking about an autumn quilt with some of my Kaffe fabrics. . . or a Christmas Cascade. Unlike you, though, a lot of them will remain in my mind, while you get yours made! Loved reading about it--your daughter is a lucky girl to have that quilt.
ReplyDeleteElizabeth
I made this in a California King size for my niece from floral fabrics she collected at thrift stores. I used the left over HSTs to make a border around the outside with a 2 inch inner border of a solid teal. It came out great!
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