Radiancy

Ten days ago, I had no idea what I was going to create for the 2014 Pantone Quilt Challenge. But suddenly an idea came to me, I couldn't let it go, and the vision began to fall into place.

Doing this piece brought a couple of things together for me. I'd been wanting to do another linen + cotton quilt for quite some time - ever since the Zakka Block Quilt I made in the Zakka Along 2 years ago. And I'd also been wanting to try my hand at a Supernova a la Quilting Modern. So this became the perfect chance to do both!

As I was cutting some beautiful natural Essex for the background, I knew I wanted other bits of color in with my Radiant Orchid. During a piecing-break, I rummaged in my stash closet and realized the Newspaper Strips from Carrie Bloomston's Collage would be a perfect backing. On the floor basting, I was thinking ahead to the thread - the most brilliant Aurifil #2535 (Fuchsia) - and the quilting - a design both awesome and intimidating. And of course, while quilting, I was thinking ahead to the binding and how I could tweak the norm just so.

There was some risk in this one! The mix of colors for one. Though I'm definitely a purple/amethyst fan, orchid was a bit more "out there" for me. And adding in those bits of gold, teal, and gray . . . well I wasn't totally sure at first if they would "work". Another stretch was the improv! I've dabbled, but still feel tentative. Guided by the photo in the book, I build it as I went, piece by piece on the design wall. I confess it made me giddy! And lastly, that quilting. Oh my goodness! More than once through the process I stood back warily questioning what I was doing. But in the end, I think it suits the supernova just fine. ETA: And for the record, I was totally inspired by this quilting design by Anita Shackelford. 

So there's that! 30x36" of Radiant Orchid and then some. Another journey of sorts, and some very satisfying creating. Isn't that just the best?

   

If you'd like to see my Pantone challenge projects from previous years, here's Tangerine Tango and Emerald. Linking up with Fabric Tuesday. Also linking with the 2014 Pantone Quilt Challenge.