Friday, April 16, 2010

Last of the POTC Blocks


Late Harvest


Indian Summer


A Walk in the Woods


The last three blocks for my POTC, Shades of Autumn quilt are finished. Now, I must decide on the background fabric. This has been on my mind since last October and is slowly driving me crazy.  I keep thinking it should be something rich and earthy to go with the autumn colours in the blocks, but as I audition this type of fabric it seems to take the attention away from the blocks. 

The original quilt is done in white and it really makes the blocks pop.  Maybe I should be focusing on a light to medium beige or cream.  Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.  Plus, I need any accent colour to go with the background fabric. 

The photo above, of all sixteen blocks, is not the layout for my finished quilt.  I have yet to decide that.  As you can see, my focus was more on making autumn coloured blocks then fussy cutting them.  This is just an excuse to make another, all fussy cut POTC quilt.


Blooming abundantly in my garden this spring is Hellebores.





63
Klosjes Completed
8 made this week

My project box is now empty!  All 63 prepped spools have been made.  With rain in the forecast, this weekend, most likely you will find me in my sewing room preparing another large batch of klosjes.

Until next time.....happy quilting!

Karen

32 comments:

Funoldhag said...

Your blocks are beautiful! Have you tried a brown, almost black as a background? Or a deep, deep orangy red? I think it should be something mottled maybe instead of plain. Off white would be wonderful, also. Your quilts are always lovely and I know you will come up with just the right piece of fabric, Karen!! Also, I love your flowers! Nice to see them again. Carol

Daniƫlle said...

Love your POTC blocks! Agree, no plain fabric, something Bali perhaps, with green/yellow swirl? Just give it time and follow the little voice in your heart! The Helleborus finished blooming here, as does the Magnolia, the Rhodondrons have buds the size of Easter eggs hihi! Have a nice weekend, take care, Daniƫlle

Yvette said...

WOW! Lots of beauty going on here today. All those blocks are so lovely!

Anonymous said...

What about a creamy batik with some green in it for background and dark green batik (almost black maybe and again possibly a batik so it's got some movement in it) for the squares?
I love your POTC blocks, especially the Walk in the Woods one! That is stunning!!!

Karen said...

I see that you named your POTC blocks and very appropriately. I had forgotten that you were making these.

Anonymous said...

What a great collection of blocks - dark batik/brown/black for the background perhaps? possibly a teeny teeny flick of orange/red/yellow somewhere, either next to the binding or as the slimmest of flanges near the edge of the blocks. Sorry, I tend to get a bit carried away!!

Sue-Anne said...

Your blocks are beautiful and so are your Klosjes. You must feel good knowing you have finished all the ones you had prepared.

Greener Pastures Farm said...

Gorgeous! I was planning to jump in and say BLACK! But I think Barbara has it nailed... a batik black/brown. One of my favorite blacks appears to have a linen texture, and the color used to give that appearance was a dull purple. I never would have known this color was in the fabric had I not really inspected the fabric in clear light. So keep auditioning and trust your instincts. I have not hear of POTC, but now that I've seen yours, I need to find the pattern and make my own! Thanks for sharing!

~ Ronda
http://mommamadethis.blogspot.com

Teresa said...

Lovely blocks!
I have to say something diffrent, and would audition a nice bright sky blue for your background. I think it would make your blocks pop. After all that hard work, you want to make them stand out.
How are you making your klosjes? Are you using Inklingo?

Teresa Rawson said...

Hi Karen,

I love these blocks...I have drooled over them every time you have posted some. Excuse my newbie-ness, but does POTC stand for project of the century?? They are stunning, as are all your beautiful spools!

Teresa :o)

Deb said...

Those POTC blocks are stunning!! I think white just wouldn't do these blocks justice and reading over some of the other comments I think a batick brown/black would look great as well.

Karen said...

Love the blocks - I would definitely go with a cream, maybe a batik or moda marble. Your spools are wonderful, I'm hoping to make some tomorrow.

Cheryll said...

What can I say besides WOW! Your POTC blocks are fabulous!

Satu said...

LOVE your POTC blocks - they are stunning! I would try first a cream (maybe batik, with trace of green, brown or orange). Black might be too similar colour with some of the dark shading blocks... I'm sure you'll do a perfect decision!

Ellie's Quiltplace said...

Your blocks are beautiful!
I used a 'Moda Essential Dots' fabric as a background fabric for my Ile aux Fleurs quilt. It's cream with a smal orange/brown dot. Of course I don't know if this fabric works on your quilt, but it combines the light cream colour with a rich autumn orange/brown. So a little bit of both ;o)

Crispy said...

My first instinct was to say black or dark brown but I really think the idea of a creamy batik would be stunning!! These blocks are just AWESOME and I can hardly wait until you put it all together :0)

Crispy

Sandra Henderson said...

so lovely. I would probably choose some sort of an antique crackly, marbley, parchment or linen type look to it. Not the real texture, just the look of it, but a neutral/creamy tan to let all the colors stand out. That's just what I'd do... I think there are MANY possibilities and you will know what is best. Thank you for sharing! Xo

Julie said...

Have you thought of a green? There is still green grass in the fall! Something like a sage green perhaps? I'm not a green fan but it might be worth auditioning. They are gorgeous blocks.

Katrien said...

What a lovely POTC blocks.
and your klosjes are also very nice.

Mrs Quilty said...

Those are such interesting blocks...never seen them before! Love them! Also love your spool quilt....klosjes! My new word for the day!

Dawn said...

Your POTC blocks are absolutely stunning! Remind me of looking in a kaleidoscope.
I love them!

Marieke said...

What a beautiful klosjes you've made. And I also love your POTC blocks. I think I would go for a nutral background, just like you said, to have the blocks pop out. Good luck on your decision!

Annemieke said...

Beautiful POTC blocks! I have never seen this block before. I love the colors, It would look great in my livingroom which is in autumn colors too :) I think nutral ( not plain) is safe, maybe black would also look good? your choice would also depend on where it is going to be hung I think.
Groetjes
Annemieke

Sherri said...

The blocks are gorgeous...as are your beautiful flowers!

Anonymous said...

Stunning blocks. I like the idea of a dark background...but I would take them to the fabric shop and audition LOTS of backgrounds. I often do this and find I am surprised by what I really think looks best after the auditioning process. Happy hunting. It will be beautiful whatever you choose. Can't miss with this one!!

Janet said...

The POTC blocks look fantastic, a mottled creamy colour would be lovely. The klosjes are fabulous too.

Nat Palaskas said...

Wow love your Klosjes. I will starte another batch too with the more vintage looking ones.
Hugs
Nat

Robin said...

Ooo... I just love these POTC blocks. So lovely and warm! I can't help but picture them on the same background I've been using for my Greenpiece blocks-- the 3 Sisters Aster Manor Garden print in tonal linen. That would be so pretty! But, yes, I agree a creamy color would be just perfect.

Carrie P. said...

Your Autumn blocks are some of the most beautiful blocks I have ever seen . Just stunning!

Birgitte aka Bietje said...

Maybe my help is coming (too) late. But I would either choose for a dark brown colour for between the blocks, so the attention goes toe the blocks. Or a warm orange colour, to brighten the quilt some up.

Anonymous said...

I just found out about POTC (Patchworks of the Crosses) - it's a book/pattern by Linda Franz of Inklingo http://www.lindafranz.com/shop/lucy-boston/4/product/lucy-boston-patchwork-of-the-crosses/31

I really like this, and think I will save my pennies for this book.

Gerda in Alberta, Canada

Sandra Henderson said...

I love your WALK IN THE WOODS Patchwork Crosses!!!~ Very inspiring. What method/book,etc. did you use? I never did begin to make one of these... I'd like to.