I was madly trying to finish up Christmas presents prior to our holiday departure, and I had to resist working on this stacked block pillow idea I had that matches not a thing in our home. None the less, I am really liking a few of Denyse Schmidt’s Hope Valley and was itching to try them out. I also have an affinity for any fabric that is purple. And then Sarah placed a bolt of the new Anna Maria Horner flannel next to the Purple Hope Valley at the shop and I needed some of that too. The colors are a perfect match. The solids are both Carolina Chambray. It’s my favorite solid. Deep and rich in texture, and so much easier to work with than linen.
I like to call this technique tumbling blocks in my Improv Patchwork Class. Strip piecing at an angle. Then do what we all like to do, cut bits of fabric that you have just sewn apart and sew them together again.
It’s a perfect blend of some free cutting and some precise piecing. Of course you could just not line anything up, and square up later, but I’m too anal for such things.
Here it is tumbling:
I was so excited with how it turned out I didn’t even notice that I had forgotten to do the stitching I had planned. Darn.
I’ll have to remember to post my inspiration for this, the ad has been pinned to my inspiration board for ages. Patiently waiting for the perfect fabric I guess.
I have in my mind a whole Tumbling Blocks Quilt. Just as soon as I finish up the other three that are floating around unfinished.
P.S. invisible zipper tutorial here.
A little note that if you would like to join The Seattle Modern Quilting Guild we would love to hear from you. The response has been great! To join the discussion, add yourself to the group here.
OMGosh! I love it! It such a cool design and you did a marvelous job of executing every corner. I bow down before ye 🙂
You’re too kind, if only I had remembered the stitching.
Love the color combination, and the purple truly makes it all work! I think this would make a terrific quilt! Thanks for sharing. xo,
Cute! The Tumbling Blocks remind me very much of Joelle Hoverson’s Little Bits quilt from _Last Minute Patchwork & Quilted Gifts_. Have you seen that one? I love that pattern, and made one for my husband’s grandparents for Christmas this year, so I totally get your desire to make a whole Tumbling Blocks quilt.
That’s where I first learned the technique. I found some ad in Metropolitan home I think that had them stacked. I wish I would have remembered the stitching, it would have been the perfect touch.
Some lovely fabrics in that! I am liking the tumbling blocks pattern too. Having just started my first proper patchwork quilt I am liking quilt patterns that involve less precise matching of corners!
This is so incredibly wonderful! I just love, LOVE it.
Really beautiful-you did a great job!
This is lovely! What a great design! Which fabric did you use for the backing it looks like a perfect match as well!
The backing is the new Anna Maria Horner flannel. It matches perfectly.
Fantastic. I really love it. I am totally in love with both the Anna maria horner flannels and the Hope Valley, you did such a super job putting them together.
I LOVE that pillow! And I was going to ask you what the orange solid was. I was guessing shot cotton. I’ve never seen Carolina chambrays. Do you have a great source?
Fabric Crush. The orange and natural are my favorite.
Love it!!! You know I love purple, well so does my daughter. My son’s fave is orange, so this cushion would fit into our house beautifully.
I wish I could join your modern quilt guild, what fun that would be!
Hugs,
Kelly 🙂
PS: One question. You said both solids are carolina chambrays, but I can only see one solid? What is the colour you used? Thanks 🙂
The natural and the orange are both chambray. Happy Holidays Kelly! Hoping to get to your blocks tonight.
Like we said the other day – that orange chambray goes with everything! I love it. Teach me….I need a green/purple one for my couch, oh but wait I still need to build up my purple stash.
I can’t wait to see the inspiration ad.
I have loads of purple silly. I can teach you this easy peasy!
awesome! Love it!
Love your wonky version of tumbling blocks. Even if I don’t get how you made them… Fun and pretty pillow, love the fabrics! Maybe you’ll make a second one, smaller, with the stitching?
Thanks Marit! I tried to make a comment on your blog yesterday but something was up with my id. I am blown away by your solo star quilt! I couldn’t even talk batting. I loved all the stitching and the negative space.
ps I got the lovely fabric and thanks!
What a gorgeous pillow! Both the fabric and the design. Super.
Love it! Wonderful mixture of fabric and perfectly matched seams! Looks like a fun technique, and by the way, your pillow would go with everything in my living room…
Hee hee.
I like the colors. I like the design. I like the workmanship. I like it a WHOLE lot. And I don’t miss the stitching a bit.
it’s really lovely, katie. i have been wanting to play with those fabrics…
great pillow!!!! i bought some of these fabrics but they don’t arrives yet… and i’m so curious to see them!!!
i love this!!!
love this! i have some hope valley in the blue/green colorway but haven’t cut into it yet. i need to!
I’ve been looking for pillow ideas–looks great!
It is gorgeous! I have to admit, I’m not a fan of Hope Valley on the bolt but seriously love it so much when put to use. That pillow is absolutely gorgeous.
It’s beautiful!
This is such an exciting design! You do wonky so well!
So pretty! I love those colors!
Too funny. I saw a lady carrying a purse the other day that I immediately started adapting to a quilt pattern. And this is it! And it was is purple and orange too. Just too crazy!
The pillow looks great!
This is a happy pillow — the colors and design are just “feel good.” Don’t you hate forgetting something like the stitching. I’m always kicking myself after the fact. At any rate — it look marvelous. Just marvelous.
this is such a great pillow. i love the colors!
oh. how i adore this as well.
there are two hv prints that i really like, and of course, you have them put to good use here!
Hi Katie…just drooling over all the beautiful things you’ve been making lately! I love the tree pillow you made. The colors are striking. I haven’t had time to sew in many months so I just look at your stuff and it gives me a smile 🙂
Very cute! What a great use of the Hope Valley fabrics. I love it!
I love this! Thank you for the inspiration!
wow. love, love, love this!
Very Cute!! I love your pillows!
I love it utterly. The design and colours are all that, of course, but I especially love the SHAPE of the pillow. I am desperate to find a pillow form like that. It looks so comfortable as well as chic! Would love a tutorial, esp on the invisible zipper!
This is great. So much fun. I saw it on my Flikr feed first and had to click on over.
Thanks so much~ It was really fun to make and another is in the works.
Gorgeous – simply gorgeous! I am inspired.
Love it!!! the colour, the design, the reverse!!lovelovelove!!!!
Oh … I saw this at the Quilting Loft … you did an AMAZING job with it!
I love this! Very nice.