My Fabric/Pattern Challenges
I spend way too much time trying to decide what project to work on next. I'll pull a fat quarter/fat eighth bundle, layer cake, jelly roll, or charm pack only to put it away after some gazing. When I pull it off the shelf or out of the drawer I have grand plans and then they just fizzle out because I simply can't decide what pattern I might want to use.
I decided it would be a good idea to pull fat quarter/fat eighth bundles and at least get them pressed and ready to cut. Looking at the fabric while I'm pressing is so different than looking at it as a little sliver when it's folded. My initial plan can change based on what I see when I'm pressing.
I set up my Big Board, spray starch and iron in my kitchen where I knew it would be much cooler. I planned to put the iron through a major work out. Around my kitchen table you'll see lots of lovelies -
Ruby by Bonnie and Camille
Pam Kitty Morning by PKM
Clermont Farms by Minick and Simpson
Sweet Broderie by Rosalie Quinlan
Sew Cherry by Lori Holt
Vintage Modern by Bonnie and Camille
Let the cutting begin - it's time to set up my cutting board, ruler(s) and rotary cutter (with new blade).
Everything has come to a screeching halt. Sigh!
I buy patterns based on many reasons - often just the design however sometimes it's the fabric that attracts me.
Here's my challenge:
Is it a cop out to make the quilt the same way the designer made it?
Should I be looking at the pattern thinking I need to select different fabric(s)?
If you're a regular reader of my blog then you know that I do both however it still presents a challenge to me.
I'd love to know what you do.
I'm looking forward to hearing from you so please share your process.
I appreciate your visit - come again soon.
In Friendship!
36 comments:
Hi Darlene
Sometimes when I buy a pattern, I fell in love with it because of the fabrics used and I want mine to be the same. I think this is fine. I get quite excited to think have a quilt similar to the designers. I'm sure I'm not alone.
Your fabrics choices are beautiful, I can't wait to see what you make. Enjoy your weekend.
Hi Darlene i usually go with what fabric i have on hand,you have a lovely stash.xx
oh how I wish these fabrics were on my cutting table!
beautiful
so summery and fresh!
hmmm I usually look at the fabrics and decide what to make....I have a hard time using a pattern just the way it is most of the time. I usually add a twist or change it a bit , the quilt on the design wall tells me what to do! go with your gut instinct and you will be happier in the end.
That is the most amazing table of wonderfulness! It it strikes your fancy...go with it...whatever makes you happy!
You sound like me! I think I don't want to waste fabric? I mean, I love it, it's pricey...what if I choose the wrong pattern thinking it would look wonderful. Then not only fabric but time wasted in working on something we don't love...so disappointing right? Nothing like being paralyzed by the stash....I say get using it while you love it.
A lot of times I buy a pattern because I like how it is made up. But I have also bought patterns after seeing it made up in the shop with a totally different color way. It's a hard call, for sure. I am not very good at putting colors together, but if you are using a fabric line that coordinates, I tink you are pretty safe to use your own judgement.
What pretty fabrics you have to play with! I make a pattern out of whatever I have on hand. I love using up my stash! :0)
You should sew whatever makes you happy! Sometimes it's too much work to figure it out and ironing and folding is the only soothing thing to do.
These days I mostly buy for a specific project in mind and keep my notes and fabric all together until the time is right...unless I change my mind before that!! LOL
I like to select my own fabrics for a quilt, BUT I usually copy the designer when it comes to the hues used and the placement of the light and dark fabrics. There was a reason I was attracted to the quilt...so why reinvent it! You have a lovely palette to choose from. Cannot wait to see what you make.
I would just leave all that fabric on the table, it's too beautiful to cut up. :)
I look forward to seeing what becomes of it all, you always make good choices.
That fabric would be gorgeous in ANY pattern!! Pick a pattern and fly at it!! AND have fun!!
Hey it's the weekend!! Have a good one!
P
I tend to over-think things which is why I never get anything done. If I just went with my gut instinct when I bought a pattern and fabric, it's usually right. Problem is I don't remember what my gut instinct is because it's been so long since I bought the stuff!
I typically chose the pattern and then select the fabric. I have a list of quilts to be made and next to the quilt name is listed the fabric line I plan to use. This can change depending on whether I find a pattern that better suits the fabric.
If I do replicate the quilt as it appears on the pattern, I don't think it's a cope out, it's just because the pattern has already found the best fit and there is no need to mess with it. Trust your instincts!!
I think that sometimes I am a designer copy cat and then at times I wing it or just don't know what to do with the fabric. What would be a good idea and I just thought of it now, is when I buy fabric or pattern or as a combination, add a note telling what I had in mind when I purchased. Sometimes I look at fabric in my stash and think "what was I thinking---------it must have been on sale or a really bad day."
I can't afford to buy the fabrics they have in the pattern, so I never use the same fabrics. I am also drawn to a pattern for the fabrics I think, but when I make it using different fabrics I like it as much or even more, because the fabrics are chosen by me, from my stash (which has mostly been given to me) and it has become a part of me and not the person who designed the pattern. I'm with you though, the really pretty, already coordinated fabrics are the hardest to cut. The ugly fabrics are usually the first to be used up. I'm getting better at using up the pretty stuff because I like how much better the finished quilts look.
I can't afford to buy the fabrics they have in the pattern, so I never use the same fabrics. I am also drawn to a pattern for the fabrics I think, but when I make it using different fabrics I like it as much or even more, because the fabrics are chosen by me, from my stash (which has mostly been given to me) and it has become a part of me and not the person who designed the pattern. I'm with you though, the really pretty, already coordinated fabrics are the hardest to cut. The ugly fabrics are usually the first to be used up. I'm getting better at using up the pretty stuff because I like how much better the finished quilts look.
Plain and simple ..... I do what my heart tells me to do and that makes me happy.
If I see something I love, I do it. My joy is in the doing, I don't need to change it just to change it if I love it just the way it is! o:)
Oooo...what a lovely fabric pile! As I am mostly a scrap quilter, the fabric-to-pattern issue is a non-question for me. But, people who use precuts or all fabrics from one line do make beautiful quilts. So, Darlene, keep playing with fabric and it is sure to guide you to a great solution. But, if you can find NOTHING to do with that Ruby fabric...well... :)
I generally look for a pattern and then see what I have on hand. Occasionally I need to head to the store to find the perfect fabric to go with what I already have. I seldom to a pattern the same as the designer does it. Possibly the same colors but definitely not the same fabrics.
I think you should go with your gutt!! I'm sure you have a lot of beautiful patterns to use your fabrics. If you want to make it the same as the designers...go for it! But don't limit yourself!! Pick the pattern you want to make, look at the colors and values in your bundle of fabrics, and if it works with the pattern, make it!! Have fun with it!! You always do amazing work!!!
DO what makes YOU HAPPY, it 's not a cop out and it's not about what others think!!!!
Once awhile its nice to do what's already been figured out, and not think about all the other things you think about when designing a quilt.
You should make it however you want to make it! If it looks just like the designer one, that's OK, too. Only other quilters will even know that's what you did, and besides, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. I often make my stuff exactly like the designer shows it, and even use a kit to do so. It may not be as creative as doing it all on my own, but I know I'll like the finished result that way.
I think the choice should be yours. Sometimes I want a quilt exactly like the pattern, magazine picture, etc. Other times I like the pattern but detest the material, or might change the border. That's the fun part of quilting, make it your own!
Other than the few BOM's I've purchased, I prefer to pick my own fabrics. But I certainly understand the appeal of using the exact fabrics used on a pattern cover.
I've not read the comments left by others (I'll do that after I've posted my thought) and I'll probably find out that I've been doing it wrong! But I usually fall in love with the pattern and the color way used on the pattern and I usually follow along. I'm not that secure in my choice of colors that I would choose different colors because I want to have a pretty quilt when I get done and I'm afraid that my choice would be a flop! I guess I also think that the pattern designers use computer programs that lets them audition colors and they choose the prettiest ones for the pattern without having to actually make the quilt and find out that the colors are a dud.
I think your process has to work for you. If you have fabric you want to use and no specific pattern in mind then after choosing the fabrics, find a pattern (which is what I have been doing.) It has taken a while to find one I like! I am jealous of the beautiful palate you have. There are enough designers out there that want you to be happy and make it how you like it. If it uses the same fabrics then great! If not then you have taken their pattern and made it your own. I usually pick the pattern and then do the fabrics but I also tend to want to make things how the pattern shows it because the fabrics are what draw me to that pattern in the first place.
Not sure if I am making any sense at all! I will blame it on my migrane medicine. :-)
K-
I have no problems using the same fabrics on the pattern if they caught my eye. Cuts down on brain stress. :). I love all your ironing. I haven't been in my sewing room in a couple of weeks.
With fabrics this yummy it would be hard to choose a pattern! I don't think it's a cop out at all to use the same fabric and design as the designer--after all, that quilt is hers and if you want one like it you have to make it :)
Me, I hardly ever by precuts or towers so this doesn't come up much!
If the one you really want to make looks just like theirs - go for it!!! I bet before it's over - you will end up changing one little thing and making it your own.
I generally do my own thing. In fact, sometimes the pattern cover is so BF ugly, I wonder why anyone buys it!! But, once in a while, I really love the way the designer made it. It's perfectly OK,to copy the look. Home sewers do that all the time,and nobody says a word!!
Oh my I go through the same process, I like my quilt to look just like the pattern...most of the time anyway. I also change my mind several times before deciding and then sometimes I just can't decide because I don't have the fabric used in the pattern.
OK, wait a minute I can't even begin to focus on what you are asking becasue I am drooling over all that amazing fabric in your picture. Excuse me while I go back and reread your post :-)!!!!! You can't go wrong making anything from the beautiful pile of wonderfulness!!!!!!!!
Well that pile is lovely and I'm dying that you have so much pkm! And I am also loving that it goes with so many pretty fabrics. You make so many lovely things, I'm anxious to see what you decide so I can be inspired by you!
I hate you thinking that it is a cop out if you make a quilt in the same fabrics as the pattern. To me quilting is quilting. Sometimes I fall in love with a line, and a pattern, sometimes I love the pattern and use the same hues and values as someone else mentioned and sometimes I see a pattern and make it in completely different colours. I do change up patterns as I go along. Relax, enjoy those gorgeous fabrics and trust your instincts. Your quilts are always amazing!
Sometimes the fabric does the talking and sometimes its the pattern. Yes, I hear voices. :) However, I struggle. Now when I saw Amber's Scrap Jar Stars, I knew I HAD to make it in red, whites, and blues like she did, but it was talking to me very loudly. Usually I struggle and fret. I fall in love with some fabric and then I can not for the life of me decide on a pattern or I see a pattern and then I sweat over which fabric to use. Still, I think you have to make what brings you joy and you can not go wrong with that lovely stack of fabrics in front of you!
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