Sunday, June 12, 2011

Fabric Hunt

Quilts full of scraps visually entertain me.  I just love them.  They dazzle.  Best of all, I get reminded of times past; when the fabric was purchased, where I bought it...sometimes.  "Under the Big Top" is finished


but not without teeth grinding.

In the fabric department, I started with a blue 'big top' perimeter.  It was intended as a small quilt, but it soon became apparent that my quilt wanted to be bigger.  When I wasn't able to buy more blue stripe, I reluctantly bought red and replaced the blue bits I had already used.  Being foundation (paper) pieced, that proved challenging.

I like fussy cutting, which doesn't usually go hand in hand with scrap quilts, but the opportunity presented itself.  Each centre has something special.  Here is one


and here is another:


The quilt decided to get bigger and I needed more red stripe fabric.  I scoured the Sydney basin and made  a few phone calls.

Knowing the fabric range is a huge advantage when searching for the elusive, so always cut into the selvedge that has that information printed on it,  last!  Eventually, with more than enough red fabric for 25 blocks and a binding, I happily settled down to finish the quilt. 

The tale doesn't finish there.   I realised I didn't have enough of one of the star shirting fabrics.  No amount of hunting unearthed that fabric, so 20 blocks was all that was possible.   Moral of the story;  I'd like to say, "be organized", but when a quilt is growing itself, how can you predict fabric requirements from the outset?

Kate Cox from "Kimpossibilities" had promised to quilt it when "Under the Big Top" announced its larger size, and kindly stitched an allover Baptist Fan pattern that I love.  Thanks Kate!

Last night the label went on


and now the circus is ready to move on.

16 comments:

Janet O. said...

I absolutely love this quilt! And your center fussy cuts are wonderful. I understand the fabric hunts you have had regarding this quilt. I often think I know what I am doing when I start a quilt, but it rarely sticks to the script. I have had to search the internet and the stashes of friends and family. I usually don't even need an exact match, but something oh, so close!
Graet job!!

Kim Brackett said...

Awesome quilt! I love the way you fussy-cut the centers.

Lynette said...

I love scrappy quilts. They have so much more dimensionality than non-scrappies. Funny, because in my 20's I thought they were U G L Y. lol! :D

Ann Marie said...

Great idea for the centers. I've never seen anything like that in a spiderweb quilt before. Love it!

Julia said...

Love the centres Liz...the fussy cutting really sets the quilt off beautifully...and love the scrappiness!
Julia ♥

Nicky said...

I thought it was beautiful before the close-ups but the fussy cut centres take it above and beyond I am greedy I know but now I'd like to see photos of them all! Hee Hee

Crispy said...

I am so very impressed that you actually unsewed paper pieced bits to make a color change so the quilt could be made larger. This is a great looking quilt and the centers add soooo much more to it!!

Crispy

Cheri said...

I love a quilt with a story and this one has a very happy ending, it is just beautiful.

Me and My Stitches said...

This quilt is wonderful. I think I will have to add it to my to-do list!

Martha said...

I love scrap quilts, and this one is a beauty. The red print is perfect, and adds just a bit of calm to the scrappiness. The fussy-cut centers were a brilliant idea -- they add a little whimsy and make the quilt truly unique. It's wonderful!

YankeeQuilter said...

I'm working on a spider web right now too...they take a lot more organization than I expected! Love how yours came out!

Nicky said...

Liz - have just done as you suggested and focused in on those fussy cut centres - takes it to heaven and back so I should not have been surprised to see the cute little inhabitant there! Made me laugh!

Nancy said...

Great quilt, love the scraps and the fussy cut centers.

Dawn said...

Wow! Beautiful. I could look at the fabulous collection of fabrics in this one for a long time...

Rose Marie said...

The fussy cutting centers is delightful and unexpected .... gorgeous quilt!

Rose Marie
www.appliqueandpatches.blogspot.com

Quilts And Pieces said...

Oh wow! I LOVE it!