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Wednesday, October 25, 2017

my crayon challenge quilt

Earlier this year, the Minneapolis MQG held a crayon challenge. Each person that participated had to pick between 2-4 crayons (blindly) from a brown paper bag. The directive was to make something (anything) using those colors, with permission to add one other color to the mix. I was pretty pleased with the crayons that I drew from the bag. I was able to make my quilt top entirely from the stash, which is always a great feeling!
The colors I chose were violet red, cerise, sea green and sky blue. I added a creamy white background to the mix. I actually used two different prints of the creamy white, (both Carolyn Friedlander prints) because I didn't have 4 yards of one print, but you would never know it unless you looked really closely. 
The pattern I used is Emma's Sitting Room, except this time in the large size. You can see the small version here.  Isn't it crazy how different a quilt can look just by changing the fabrics? That, to me, never gets old. Never, ever! (Someday I need to do a round up of different quilt variations from one pattern. I bet I have close to 20 examples in my own collection of quilts!)
 
It was a gorgeous day for photographing this quilt today. I was happy to see those brilliant blue skies. Pretty amazing for the end of October!
This backing fabric was a lucky find at a quilt shop in Missouri. It was only $4.00/yard! I bought the rest of the bolt, naturally, knowing that it would make a great quilt back...someday. Wouldn't you know it? I finished the quilt top the next week and I had JUST the right amount of fabric to back the quilt. It was definitely meant to be! The binding came from my stash, too. This has got to be one of my favorite binding/backing combos ever.
I quilted it on my Juki with loop-de-loops all over in a cream colored Aurifil thread.
The quilt finishes at 80" x 75"....a nice large lap quilt. The pattern is available here, if you care to make one of your own.

It's so nice to finally share this quilt. I looked back and I finished it in April!

21 comments:

  1. Beautiful colors and such a wonderful pattern.

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  2. So pretty, and your photo shoot background is perfect!

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  3. The crayons / colors you randomly selected are lovely and the fabrics you had a fantastic together. That backing and binding is amazing! Hooray for perfect and beautiful fall days!!

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  4. I always find it amazing how good a gingham type binding makes a quilt look.

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  5. Wow! April! That’s a long time to conceal such a beautiful quilt!

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  6. This looks beautiful!

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  7. This is absolutely gorgeous! I love this scrappy version of this pattern!

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  8. You did a lovely job of choosing prints and a design for your crayon challenge. And I DO love that kind of challenge! I've heard of other chapters selecting from crayons or paint chips, but haven't been lucky enough to be in a group that did that. Anyway, I love your interpretation... and the fortuitousness of having "just" the right amount of fabrics to make it come together. Just curious... did you chapter blindly choose winners? Or was it simply a "create and show" sort of challenge? Central Florida members are in the last weeks of a challenge that's revealed on November 13.Though I'm almost ready, it's been difficult because of not being able to share as we go. It's why I've been silent on Instagram! We must each keep ours secret so members can choose a fav at the meeting.

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  9. So pretty! I read this with snow out the window. Is it possible to do a tutorial on how you make your half square triangles so pretty?

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  10. A lovely finish. I love the backing and binding, too!

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  11. This was such a great idea to stretch your imagination. I would love to see what the other members came up with. I might even try it myself. You did a great job.

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  12. This quilt is so amazing. The pattern is so sweet, but both your color combinations (your smaller version with your fabric line, and this one of scraps) are gorgeous. Thank you for sharing these. I still have several quilts to make from both your books (Ha!) but this one is added to my list of must make quilts!

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  13. That's a great challenge! And you did a great job in meeting your colors! My group was just on retreat, Tues through Thurs, and we drew 2 crayons, plus a shape and a technique. The rules are "go for it" I am so anxious to see what we all "create" for next October.

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  14. Wow!! You made an awesome pick!!! And your quilt from the colors is just gorgeous ;) This makes me want to try a crayon challenge ;)

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  15. That turned out just beautiful! What a fun way to choose colors, but I definitely think you had the luck of the draw! Then again, your quilts are always beautiful...

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  16. I love the idea of a crayon challenge. I need to suggest that to my guild. How fun!
    As usual Amanda, this is so pretty. You got lucky with your crayons.☺️

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  17. Oh, I am so jealous of that backing find. That fabric is gorgeous! Same with the binding. I am not surprised it is your favorite combo. I think that would make a very fun post if you showed multiple quilts made using the same pattern just different fabrics.

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  18. I love that! Such beautiful colors and the binding and backing are perfect!!!

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  19. Love this quilt pattern and the awesome colors you drew. They are "your" colors! and yes, great backing and binding combo!

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  20. Sounds like a fun challenge. The kind that makes you a little nervous at first, then when it all comes together, is a joy to sew and quilt. You handled this one beautifully! Love how you separated/combined the colors!

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