Monday, March 2, 2015

aka the bacon quilt

Just for the record, it's not easy taking a photo against brick. I wanted to SO badly, and hubby tried hard to make it happen, but the best we could do was packing tape and lots of it. oh well. But the fact remains, my 2015 Pantone Quilt Challenge: Marsala quilt is done, and though I'm officially naming it "Sizzling", it will probably forever be known as 'the bacon quilt,' which is more than appropriate in my opinion, as well as that of half of Instagram it appears. It is what it is.
The block inspiration was totally from Alex Ledgerwood/teaginny Designs new book, Improvising Tradition: 18 Quilted Projects Using Strips, Slices, and Strata, and I loved making them. Though Marsala has gotten a cold shoulder by many in the quilting arena, I personally like it a lot. The fabrics I chose to represent it for me were Kona Sienna and Brick (the closest I've come to my Pantone Marsala swatch), and 2 Kaffe Fassett Shot Cottons, a Terra Cotta and a Multi Stripe "Parma", all set against a background of Essex Linen in Natural.
For quilting, I did a horizontal serpentine stitch (you know, to replicate the wave of good bacon) using Aurifil 50wt #2310 (light beige) which nestled into the Essex nicely while not overpowering the Marsala. I couldn't resist making a ghost block using #2350 (copper) to finish things off. 
I also couldn't help but include just a bit of matched binding as an added detail.
The backing is a pieced mix of Alchemy Queen Ann’s Butterflies in ruby by Amy Butler (perfect Marsala match by the way), the Kaffe Parma stripe, and Kona Sienna, the quilt finishing at 34"x46".

All of the photos above are prior to washing, but I thought you might like to see one afterwards, with the awesome texture that gives.

So I didn't find Marsala to be scary one bit. Have I convinced you to give it a chance? {wink}


2015 Pantone Quilt Challenge: Marsala
Linking up with Fabric Tuesday.

25 comments:

  1. I'm glad you were able to photograph it up against the brick. It does look really good with the quilt. It took me a second to see the packing tape and I, personally, would never have noticed it on my own. You were really able to use what I consider to be a kind of "fuddy-duddy" color in an awesome modern way. Maybe that's why Pantone picked this color, to show how artists can really shape our perception and reception we give to color. I'm still pretty positive I don't want to see Marsala as the major color story in any of my rooms, but I would be very welcoming to it as a secondary color when it's presented in a modern way. The fact that some humor can play into it makes it even more attractive to me. So, I really like your quilt and I wish you good luck in the Marsala Challenge. I'll be rooting for you!

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    1. I forgot to say how much I enjoy the name "Sizzling" for it's title. People will love your self humor when they get what you mean. It makes them part of an inside joke. I think it's great! And I think it does show a lot about you. Not only are you willing to take on one of the more challenging of Pantone Challenges, you can even have a sense of humor about your work. You rock, Debbie! If you don't mind me saying so, heh. :)

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  2. it's fabulous. Marsala in moderation is not a horrible thing I guess! but then you can make anything look great! I love it

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  3. I always wondered how people managed to get photos on brick walls! Love your take on Marsala, esp. the ghost block. And the "unofficial" quilt title :-)

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  4. I love everything about this one. The name the quilting, the color, the ghost block esp and the aka. All fabulous and truly sizzling!!

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  5. I love your quilt and the details, especially the ghost block.

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  6. Great quilt and design and I love the name. Perhaps it will inspire a companion piece in yellow?

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  7. I love your quilt! The matched binding is cool - I've not seen that before and I'm going to copy it sometime and of course will think of you and Sizzling!

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  8. Mmm...yummy! Especially love the ghost bacon.

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  9. I think the bacon reference is perfect. Good job!

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  10. You did use the butterflies! I love it! I also love the 'stitched' bacon at the bottom. Looks great!

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  11. Well, heck, I like Marsala when it's BACON! ;) Fantastic job! I love the ghost block.

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  12. I haven't jumped on the marsala bandwagon as of yet but you sure did the color justice. Love the minimal design and laughed at the wavy quilting reference to bacon. It's making my mouth water.

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  13. I love it! All of it! The colour, the backing, the binding, the name.Yup! I love it. I think I mentioned that I love it.

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  14. Definitely sizzling bacon after the wash, excellent!

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  15. One of my most favorite negative space quilts. I love it

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  16. Just noticed the ghost bacon… no calories right!? Great quilt, as always Debbie.

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  17. Nice quilt. I especially like how you matched the binding ~~ not an easy task.

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  18. Mmm, bacon!! That made me giggle! Great job Debbie and best of luck! :)

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  19. oh, essex linen - how nice! So much of it in a quilt, it must feel lovely. I found several of the Oakshott cottons were a good match to the Marsala color, and I also used Kona brick as a good starting color to match up. I need to figure out how to do that matching up of binding to quilt - maybe! I might just leave that to the experts.
    I love your quilt and it looks good an crinkly, just like bacon.

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  20. This quilt is really fun! Great work! :)

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  21. This quilt is just yum. I love the texture, the ghost block is perfect, and it really does make me think of bacon. Thanks for taking on Marsala and having such fun with it :-)

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  22. Oh my gosh, that ghost block, I love it! :D The quilting is a perfect complement and I love that touch of binding. You can really tell you had fun with the color!

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