Whaddya think?

/ Sunday 4 April 2010 /
Neutral blocks


Ok, I am way outside my comfort zone with these blocks and I could use a bit of advice. In my last post, I showed a stack of neutrals that I bought last week. I haven't been able to stop thinking of them, and I decided they would be great for a quilt for my friend, Marcia, who moved to Houston to take up a research chair at the university there.  
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I've been wanting to make her a quilt for a (belated) housewarming gift, and this seemed like just the ticket.  She is a very classy lady, and these understated colours are just her tones, and would fit in several rooms of her new home.
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This block is a bit of an inside joke, since Marcia is a researcher in mathematics disabilities. She'll love this one.
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I do really like these colours together, but they are so far away from the palette I normally prefer.  
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In fact, initially, I thought I would make these improv blocks with taupes, tans and grays, and that I would add in a very few splashes of colour, maybe a burnt orange or a purple, on a block or two.
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I figured I'd make a few blocks and then see how they strike me - if they need me to make a couple of blocks with a bit of colour injection.
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But at the moment, I'm thinking I should just leave additional colour out. Seems like there's enough going on with the different prints, and we may have a case of less being more.  
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I'm not even 100% sure these blocks work - I'll be back asking for more advice when it comes to sashing, so stay tuned.
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What do you think? Colour needed, or carry on the way I've started?

21 comments:

Dorothy B on: 4 April 2010 at 19:37 said...

Carry on as you are. You may not even want sashing. These are looking fantastic! I found you through Quilterblogs and thought the blocks were stunning.

{ Mimi } on: 4 April 2010 at 19:57 said...

I agree. Those neutrals together are beautiful and if this is the pallete that your friend would like, I wouldn't add color. You could add that splash of color on your label which would reflect "you". This is going to be a beautiful quilt and I don't think it needs sashing either. Can't wait to see the finished quilt!!

{ wishes, true and kind } on: 4 April 2010 at 20:03 said...

It sounds like they will be perfect for your friend, and I love the blocks!

{ Kat } on: 4 April 2010 at 21:37 said...

I agree with everyone so far. I really like the arrangement of your piecing and the color palette, I think they look great!

{ Allyson } on: 5 April 2010 at 02:14 said...

Leave them be. The colors are beautiful together and will be stunning all sewn up in rows. I agree with Dorothy...no sashing required. Looking good!

{ Jenn } on: 5 April 2010 at 08:34 said...

I'm biased...I love browns and neutrals and I think this would be absolutely LOVELY with no other colors!

{ elle } on: 5 April 2010 at 09:39 said...

NO! No, no! These are gorgeous! SO Cool! The 'you' label would be the place for the colour. Wonderful idea for a nutral quilt. I also luv the neutrals. I feel another quilt coming on!

{ Pokey } on: 5 April 2010 at 11:16 said...

Keep them chocolate, latte, mocha, creamy and wonderful!

{ Suzanna } on: 5 April 2010 at 17:57 said...

I agree with everyone above that the combination of blocks is perfect as is, and I second the observation that you might not need sashing at all.

{ Claudia } on: 5 April 2010 at 18:33 said...

I agree with with Dorothy B "Carry on as you are. You may not even want sashing. These are looking fantastic!" Ditto, ditto & ditto. There's actually a lot going on with shapes and patterns. I can't wait to see the end result.

{ Rene' } on: 6 April 2010 at 08:45 said...

Leave them be! They are great as they are. You have used such a variety of fabrics and color tones that I don't think they need anything more. Love the math fabric! Great piecing too! Your friend will love it.

{ The Calico Cat } on: 7 April 2010 at 07:18 said...

Carry on - keep going strong!

{ My Life In Stitch } on: 7 April 2010 at 07:38 said...

I think you should carry as you're doing they loook just great as they are. Your friends really are lucky having you to make their quilts for them.

{ Cheryl Arkison } on: 7 April 2010 at 23:57 said...

I agree with most of the comments. There is a lot of energy already in those blocks. And the orangey/taupy colour seems to stand out as it is. Go for it as is. I also agree that sashing may not even be needed. But everyone knows where I stand on the sashing issue!

Anonymous on: 8 April 2010 at 05:38 said...

I think these blocks look really great as they are! Even though the colours are neutral, there's a big variety so I don't think you need to add anything else.

{ Live a Colorful Life } on: 8 April 2010 at 10:27 said...

I really like them as well. And that math fabric--too fun!

{ KatieQ } on: 8 April 2010 at 10:30 said...

The blocks look amazing. The colors are also out of my comfort zone, but I am really drawn to the combination of color and shape. I agree with most of the comments that say sashing is unnecessary, but I think you won't be able to make a decision on that until they are all laid out together.

The math fabric is my favorite.

{ woolywoman } on: 8 April 2010 at 15:05 said...

A few tiny slivers of red, or bright blue, will make the neutrals sing. Little slivers, maybe an inch or so, angled, in just a few places.

{ Andrea } on: 8 April 2010 at 19:04 said...

oooh! I really think they're beautiful! What a great colour combination livened up with a modern block!

{ Kimberly White } on: 8 April 2010 at 20:59 said...

these are lovely ... carry on!

{ felicity } on: 9 April 2010 at 00:52 said...

What gorgeous blocks! I agree with everyone who said to carry on as you are. As the blocks emerge, you will start to see which colours are becoming dominant, and which colours need some more play.

Love the math fabric!

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