April 26, 2019

Cherry Blossoms; Finally Finished

Way back in 2014 I started a quilt. Here it is 2019 and I can finally say it's finished.

Interweave quilt pattern with Amy Butler

Cherry Blossoms was one of 4 quilts I made during early explorations and development of a pattern called Interweave. While this was the first quilt I made of the design, it ended up being the last one to get finished. It was quilted at the same time as the others but I just never got around to binding it. Then I simply forgot. Can you relate? A project gets tucked away and you forget about it.

Credit goes to the BoulderMQG UFO challenge for motivating me to finally finish Cherry Blossoms. The guild challenge for 2019 was to list 6 projects and specify what we wanted to accomplish. We were encouraged to have a variety of goals from simple to more involved. This was certainly an easier one and far overdue. But then I guess all UFOs are overdue aren't they? Of course I have far more than 6 UFOs. Way more! But at least I'm making the effort and things are getting done. Done is good!

Interweave quilt pattern with Amy Butler

The colors are spot on for 2019 with Pantone's Color of the Year, Living Coral and Kona's Color of the Year, Splash. I've loved this color scheme for a long time. Most of the fabrics are from older Amy Butler fabric lines like Love, Cameo, and Soul Blossoms. I've been a fan of her fabrics for years and will certainly miss her lines now that she has moved away from fabric design. : (

The colors feel very summery and make me think of swimming pools and flower gardens in the tropics which probably isn't reflected in the quilt name. I chose the name Cherry Blossoms because my favorite fabric in the quilt is of the cherry trees in bloom. I hope to get a good photo in the wild once summer arrives and things are little more colorful outside.

When I design a pattern, choosing which fabrics to feature as the main cover quilt can be one of the hardest decisions in the whole process. Since the pattern is designed to showcase large scale prints, I chose a range of Kaffe Fassett blues for the cover quilt.

Interweave quilt pattern with Kaffe Fassett

Another variation of the pattern features a single Amy Butler fabric for the main horizontal sections.

Interweave quilt pattern with Amy Butler

The last version (and my personal favorite) is this smaller black and white with warm floral accent strips.

Interweave quilt pattern with Kaffe Fassett

One of the best parts of pattern design is exploring all the different versions and looks that can come from the same design. I know some people make something once and then they're done. I find it really fun to make something again and again to explore new looks. What about you? Do you make the same design more than once or is once enough?

I haven't joined a linky party in a long long time so thought I'd join in the fun again. I'm linking up with Cheryl's Favorite Finish Link Up because I finally have a finish. WaHoo! Go check out what some other quilters finished this month.

If you're interested in the Interweave pattern you can learn more about it here.

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13 comments:

  1. Like you, I enjoy exploring a pattern more than once. Somewhere along the way with the first iteration ideas start bubbling up tempting me to make another one, or even more. The version made with one fabric for the horizontal strips really shows off the design and brings the pattern name to life.

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  2. This is such a great pattern, that manages to look different and fresh in the variations you have made Anne! I’d want to make and make this one too....! I rarely make a pattern a second or third time, although I have been known to play around with scale and downsize a pattern.

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  3. You're such a talented designer, Anne! I love Cherry Blossoms, and every iteration of this pattern. Great color combos! I can't say I've ever had a quilt UFO needing only binding. Gosh, by the time the quilting is done, I'm on a roll to get to the finish line! Still, I sure know that any finished UFO leaves a person with a great feeling. I'm happy for you to be accomplishing so much. Everything you touch turns "golden," so it's a treat to see what you've been up to.

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  4. Well, you have certainly enticed me to revisit a quilt design and try it again! Cherry Blossoms is a wonderful version of your Interweave Pattern, but I still love the Kaffe deep tones the best (the black and white is a close second). Seriously, I think they are all wonderful!!

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  5. What a pretty finish! Those colors are so JUICY, makes me think about tropical drinks sipped at poolside :)

    I'm still at the stage in my learning curve for quilting where I'm trying everything once, so I haven't repeated many patterns. Still lots of new things to try first, I suppose!

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  6. I agree that one of the best parts of being a pattern designer is seeing how a design takes on new life with each new color iteration and exploration. I personally either make a lot of one pattern or only one. I don't seem to have many in betweens. :)

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  7. It's great to see the variety!

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  8. Beautiful. I think my favorite is the black and white one too.

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  9. Your lovely quilt was worth the wait! Thank you for sharing photos of the same quilt made in different colourways - it is fascinating how different they all look.

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  10. Yay for completing WIPs! I like that you shared all the different versions. I can't decide if I like the black and white or the Amy Butler best. Great pattern!

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  11. This is so pretty! I really want to make one too.

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  12. Love your pattern & I too like designing & seeing where it takes me. I once did a whole series based on the same block, so understand your ideas fully. Thanks for sharing & take care.

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  13. Congratulations on getting this lovely quilt finished so you could share it. I love this pattern. It looks fantastic in so many fabric combinations.

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WaHoo!!! You're leaving me a comment. Thanks for stopping by and do come back again. Quilt on, Anne.