Monday, October 17, 2011

Seasonal Work


I hardly ever make something in seasonal colors.  It's tempting, but I know that by the time a piece is done the season will be just a memory, and I'll wonder what I was thinking.

In the last few weeks I've done so much driving through the countryside drinking in the early fall colors that I couldn't resist.  So here's what I'm working on.  It's an attempt to capture the colors of early fall, September here, when the landscape is still mostly sun-bright green with accents of yellow and gold from the fields of soybeans and the Spanish Needle along the road.  The bright red comes later.

The maple leaf block superimposed on the split nine-patch is one of Judy Martin's ideas, and it seemed to give the effect I'm after.  I deliberately kept the value contrast a bit fuzzy in places so the colors are mixed as they are in nature.The border will be random-length strips of the dark green.  The piecing is almost done now, and while I won't have it quilted before early fall is a memory, it's been surprisingly enjoyable to work inside on the the colors that I love outside.

I've also loved paying attention to the piecing.  Working on a succession of fast pieces has been fun, but it's satisfying to try making the triangles match exactly rather than just come "close enough".  Craftsmanship can be its own reward,can't it.


9 comments:

The Calico Cat said...

Craftsmanship can be its own reward,can't it.

You better not say that too loud, all of the improv piecers will be down throat!

Seriously, I have an autumnal UFO...

jenclair said...

I think the colors are perfect and a quilt is for more than one season! There will be many more autumns to come. I really like the way the maple leaf fits into the blocks.

Barbara Strobel Lardon said...

This is really lovely. I agree with Jenclair, next fall you will be happy you made it.

Gari in AL said...

I really like working with seasonal colors, especially Fall. It is really fun to get them out the next time the season rolls around and cuddle up to keep the Fall chill out. Your quilt is really lovely and unique.

Beverly said...

I really like this one! And I agree with you on the craftsmanship, sometimes attending to that is relaxing and rewarding.

Liz in Kansas said...

This is stunning! Seems to me you have this going so well, it will fit right into the season. I agree about how rewarding getting it "just right" can be - although I don't get that feeling too often!

Libby Fife said...

That's a great little piece-a little complex and a little simple.

Those colors look sort of what like we have now. The rain brought a little green but we have some of the yellow and brown/red also.

Barbara C said...

I love these colors, and the movement of the leaves across the surface of the quilt is beautiful. You'll enjoy this quilt for a long time.

Rian said...

It'll be fun to pull it out ever fall from now on.