After yesterdays easy peasy sewing for Cattywampus I felt ready for more difficult piecing which resulted in a couple of Sunflower blocks.
I saw a vintage Russian Sunflower quilt a long time ago and loved it. I am pretty good at figuring out quilt blocks on a grid but I know circular blocks with points is beyond my figuring capacity. I also thought a Sunflower quilt was above my skill level and that I would never make or have a Sunflower quilt.
Then I found that Treasury of Quilts by Betsy Chutchian and Carol Staehle had a pattern for a Sunflower quilt. I bought the book! Now I'm kind of cheap frugal so if I spend money on a quilting book I have to get my money's worth out of it, love most of the quilts in it and make several of the quilts in it. This will be my second quilt from the book. (42 Cent Forever Stamp isn't quilted yet). I was afraid to start right out with Sunflower. Now, about the book...I love the templates because they have the 1/4 inch seam allowance included on them. A lot of the books I have make you add your own seam allowance. I hate that especially if the template is not square. I also love the instructions in the book. They are thorough down to the direction to press the pieces and they are easy to understand. So, even I, who thought I would never have something so complex looking as a Sunflower quilt can now have one.
Ok...back to the Sunflowers. I have not yet figured out what to do for the background. (These will get appliqued to a 14. 5 inch background). I have a large piece of dark brown I could use like you see above.
I also have a large piece of tea dyed muslin I can use. Or I could alternate dark brown and tea dyed backgrounds.
Or each Sunflower could get it's own busy background. I'm leaning toward this version but I don't think I have enough 14.5 inch pieces for 16 blocks.
Decisions, decisions...
I too like the different backgrounds. Beautiful blocks!
ReplyDeleteOh goodness, is there no end to your ideas and accomplishments? The sunflowers look brilliant. As to the backgrounds: I think the brown is too heavy, the neutral too light but love the mixed green and mauve ones. Hope you find enough of the fabrics or similar coloured alternatives in your bottomless stash!
ReplyDeleteThose sunflowers are so earthy and real, and the varied backgrounds really highlight the individuality of each sunflower. This will be a fabulous quilt!
ReplyDeleteLovely sunflowers--I like the busy backgrounds a lot--so rich looking...
ReplyDeletehugs, Julierose
I like different backgrounds, too, but am visualizing dark reds and blues. And maybe a deep green...
ReplyDeleteThat's one's on my list, too. I have the book, I've bought some templates, now all I need is an extra couple of hours in each day!
Oh oh! I see Gayle is already being tempted...and I also have a copy of this book, bought specifically for the Sunflower pattern! I'm beginning to see a trend here...Burgoyne Surrounded then Sunflowers?! I'm thinking I like the different backgrounds; if you don't have enough 14" chunks you could always do some stash enhancement!
ReplyDeleteI vote for every background to be different... use all of these!
ReplyDeleteI'm with the every background different crowd. You're resourceful. I bet by the time you finish all the sunflowers, you will have found enough backgrounds. This will be awesome.
ReplyDeletePat
What a great block! I like the varied backgrounds. The sunflowers could play nicely with the Boho Chickens, too. Chickens love sunflower seeds, right?
ReplyDeleteI love these blocks! (actually I love most of what you make!) I'd trial maybe a variety of plaids for the backgrounds? Merry Xmas.
ReplyDeleteI like the mixed backgrounds too, and I think you could include the brown with them. Your blocks look great!
ReplyDeleteI also like the mixed backgrounds. Putting single backgrounds in the four corners would reduce the number of other pieces you need to find.
ReplyDeleteAre you tracing the templates and hand cutting or can they be rotary cut?