Quarter Log Cabin a la Margo Selby
Thanks to Uppercase magazine, I have a new design crush: Margo Selby. She designs fabrics, rugs and other textiles with rich color and crisp geometric textures that spark my creative juices. I so enjoyed reading the article about Margo in Uppercase, as well as studying her works shared there. Of course her website showcases even more.
When paging through the magazine, I photographed spreads which particularly inspired me. This is one favorite, which I immediately wanted sew. I love how the colors graduate subtly along the sharp stair-stepping stripes. The regular light and dark accents punctuate the design gorgeously.
Hmmm - - - I could construct something similar as a quarter log cabin quilt block, with multiple stripes for each log.
Let’s give it a go! To begin I sort scraps into color groups by tone: ruby reds, burgundy reds, orangey reds, etc. I want to work with scraps as much as possible for the colors, while the white accent stripes can be mainly cut from yardage.
Getting started is awkward. Is this the right idea, I wonder?
But as I build layer upon layer of this quarter log cabin block, I grow only more excited. I like it very much! And, I love that I am sewing my string scraps. I am allowing the scraps to determine the width of each color stripe, which is so deliciously efficient. Only the white stripes are kept intentionally thin at about 1/2” finished.
An hour and a half later, my test block is done! She is a 12” finished block with burgundy and peach colors, accented by white. I love it, but when I step back I realize that it doesn’t have exactly the effect that I wanted.
Comparing this block to Margo’s artwork, I see the trouble. I used only 2 fabrics per log: one color and white. As a result the colors seem to be floating on a white background. Margo used 3-4 colors per “log”, which gives the logs themselves a striped feeling.
Ok, next block with 3 colors per stripe! I am curious to see what happens.
If I had to sew one kind of quilt for the rest of my life, I would sew scrap quilts! Now I realize that I would theoretically eventually run out of scraps. But are we sure about that? It seems like scraps have a way of mysteriously multiplying??? In any case, I certainly have loads of scraps now and making something beautiful from all those leftover bits and pieces is one of the most satisfying aspects of quilt-making. Here are my favorite 10 scrap quilt experiences so far - - -
In December we will move house. For the first time, Elora is helping to design her own room. To begin, I gathered together a lot of fun girl’s room images on Pinterest to expose her a wide variety of styles. She quickly and confidently zeroed in on this dreamy pastel room from Lay Baby Lay.
When paging through Uppercase magazine, I photographed spreads which particularly inspired me. This is one favorite by Margo Selby, which I immediately wanted sew. I love how the colors graduate subtly along the sharp stair-stepping stripes. The regular light and dark accents punctuate the design gorgeously.
My time in Cambridge was lovely. Every day we strolled into the old town to explore shops, taste the local eateries and gaze at the stately old colleges that give Cambridge its fame. The impressions of travel sink deep and come back floating to the surface in their good time.
My favorite setting in the whole wide world is the beach at sunset. The constant crashing of the waves, the warm breeze on bare skin and that showy blast of sunset colors - no place delights and inspires and simultaneously soothes my soul like it.
I need an easy scrap quilt. You know the kind: fun to sew, no brainer, happy-scrappy palette. I want to be able to just sew and not think about a thing besides how the colors and shapes make me feel. Not even color order this time! I have gathered a few options for my next quilt. Will you help me choose?
I took so many photos on my camping trip this summer that I couldn’t share them all with you in that one Expat Chronicles post. I saved a bunch for this follow-up post that were simply inspirational to me. These photos of doors, buildings and art have something in the way of color or shape that tugs at my heart. I hope that they will speak to you as well. Enjoy!
My energy is building for the season ahead. There is so much I want to explore, and I can feel the space opening all around me to follow my heart. In fact, I already have ideas for four quilts that I’d like to sew in this coming warm season; whereas, I usually think just one quilt ahead - - -
While strolling through Keukenhof, I thought of the master gardeners who compose these resplendent flower beds. Their artistry inspires me, particularly when it comes to color, and I managed to capture some favorite palettes. Perhaps I will lean into of one these color stories when choosing fabrics for our Teeter Totter sew-along this May?
We all know what happens if you give a mouse a cookie; but, what happens if a quilter plans a trip to Keukenhof, the famous Dutch flower garden?
Like everyone else, I’ve fallen in love with 1930’s Dutch houses. On a walk last autumn I began playing a game of picking out my favorite stained glass. That’s when it struck me - a quilt inspired by these houses, a sort of ode to their loveliness, would be a true pleasure to sew. Here’s what makes these houses special and how I’ve translated those characteristics to patchwork.
Typically my fabric shopping process is indeed a thoughtful, intentional one. But not always. At times it’s good to simply be moved by the heart. Here’s how chance encounters and persistent attractions also play into my fabric shopping process.
Has it happened to you? You’re lying in bed, half asleep, when inspiration strikes. An idea for a new quilt drifts into your conscious with surprising clarity. I hadn’t been actively thinking about these scraps. I had been thinking about my book - - -
Are you a fan of Tales of Cloth? Me too. You’re going to love this behind-the-scenes chat! Settle in with a warm cup and enjoy as Jodi shares some highs and lows along the winding road of shaping her own creative business.
I have a problem, a perfectly delightful problem = too many string scraps. I browsed through my Patchwork Pinterest board, Flickr faves and Instagram saves to find ideas for a string quilt. Here are some that caught my eye.
As summer burns out in the northern hemisphere, are you longing for cool weather and the change of seasons that marks the unfolding of different days? Something more restrained, tempered and elegant than summer’s riot. Something gilded with promise anew.
When you’re inspired to start a new project, what comes first? Is it the fabric that catches your imagination or the project that simply must be made? It can go either way for me, but this time the fabric definitely came first. Enter the Darlings!
I’ve been watching these leaves from my sewing room window as they’ve transformed from green to a splendid golden yellow. Luckily my quilt is finished in time for an autumnal photo shoot!
I love selecting fabrics based on an image or concept like autumnal skies. It gives me such a sense of direction, yet feels open to discovery. Lately I’ve been working on a quilt inspired by fall colors and my favorite autumnal delights.
Each carefully labeled plastic baggie contains a color story, fabric lesson or quilt block. Project seeds all of them, waiting in the dark for just the right moment to sprout and grow. The time has come!
In her many years as a Moda designer, Brigitte has created lots of beautiful fabrics that have appeared in my quilts and probably in yours as well. Learn how Brigitte and I have connected and are working together from Europe!
After reflecting on the quilts that capture moments of Eleni’s story, I felt inspired to start something new to reflect this time of transition in our lives. The immigrant experience sets everything topsy turvy.
My weekend at The Festival of Quilts in Birmingham was lots of fun. I’m sure you’re not surprised! But, truly, I had more fun than I expected thanks to a warm welcome by friends new and old. Come see some inspiring quilts.
A leader or a follower? I ponder the two opposing roles as I watch Elora play at our neighborhood playground. If I’m honest, her propensity to observe, bide her time and stand apart from the crowd can make me uncomfortable.
It started with my love for this Cloud 9 voile. I made it into a romper for Rora last spring. When she grew out of it, I had trouble letting it go. The color scheme is so dreamy! So, I pulled scraps in the same colors…
I was in the mood for more curved piecing and something that would be technically challenging. This patchwork pattern has no y-seams, but it does have tons of curves. Inviting!
Inspiration can strike anywhere…. but even in your junk mail? Yep. Believe it. Months ago a Target catalog arrived and knocked me over with a feather. The colors, the style, oh my! I want to live in those pages.
Yesterday I started it, my Brave quilt. It's funny how nervous I am about this one. It's inspired by Sara Bareilles' song, which flooded into my consciousness a few months ago in a big way.
Corsica is a French island situated in the Mediterranean Sea between France and Italy. It proved to be an absolute wonder for hiking, swimming and site-seeing. The impressions of the trip are sure to make their way into my quilts in the years to come.