Pantone Meets Bias Tape

It's been interesting seeing all the Instagram posts using the #mightylucky hashtag throughout January. It seemed the minute the first Mighty Lucky Quilting Club email went out, folks were embracing Krista Fleckenstein's challenge: Shapes and Curves Using Bias Tape. 

Now bias tape applique is not something I had even considering attempting. I mean, there's plenty else I do try, and I can't honestly say I was even tempted before. But I was curious about those bias tape makers, and that plus the spirit of learning, I ordered a 1/2" one along with the 1/4" wonder tape Krista suggested.  And they sat for nearly the whole month, until this last weekend when I figured it was then or never.

For fabric, I decided to kill two birds with one stone, and I grabbed the Pantone solids I'd purchased to have on hand. According to Kate Spain, Moda's Bella Solids in Bubble Gum and Blue were a good match. 

Photo by Kate Spain; used by permission.

And comparing them to my Rose Quartz and Blue swatches, I think she was spot on.

For the background, I chose "The Big One on White" print from Carolyn Friedlander's Carkai, thinking the subtle design would be a good backdrop for the minimalist design I had planned.

I gotta tell you, the making of the bias tape was a breeze. For 1/2" tape, you cut 1" bias strips, and the only snag I had was even though I pressed the bias seams open as directed, pulling them through the bias tape maker closed them up. Not a crisis, but a bit fiddly. Unfortunately, I had issues implementing the curves in said design. I'm not sure if it was just me or what, but my tape didn't curve well, and I just didn't have the patience for it. Fact is, even when I decided to do sharp corners, I couldn't seem to miter them like Krista did. So I did what I knew, pressed well, and added bulk didn't seem to be an issue. Ok then.

So I got so far as getting my new design sewn on (pretty painless with that wonder tape by the way) and then had a dilemma: Is it 'ok' to quilt on top of bias tape applique? Consulting a friend, we agreed it must be, so I started in. An organic straight-line grid sounded fun, and I liked the idea that it could add hints of the elusive curves back into my little quilt. Mostly I used Aurifil 50wt #2024 (white), but also added just a few random lines of #2770 (very light delft), which is a really nice match for the Serenity.

My project measures 17" square, bound in more of that Serenity, and in a rush to a finish, I machine-stitched it down. I was feeling pleased to have tried something new, and anxious for it to be done.

So am I glad I tried it? Definitely? Will bias tape become a staple in my sewing repertoire? Hardly. But overall it was an enjoyable diversion, and I am especially glad to have used some of those Pantone colors - I've become quite fond of Serenity. And now I'm anxious to see what February's challenge might be!

Linking up with Finish It Up Friday!

Rose Quartz and Serenity

In the now five years I've been paying attention to such things, the story is always the same. The new Pantone Color of the Year is announced, and it certainly seems like there's many more detractors than not. And this year is no different. The announcement of the 2016 duo(!) of Rose Quartz and Serenity is causing a stir once again.

photo courtesy of www.pantone.com

It's the first time two colors have been chosen, and according to Pantone, "Rose Quartz is a persuasive yet gentle tone that conveys compassion and a sense of composure. Serenity is weightless and airy, like the expanse of the blue sky above us, bringing feelings of respite and relaxation even in turbulent times." In other words, "A symbolic color selection; a color snapshot of what we see taking place in our culture that serves as an expression of a mood and an attitude." Hmm. 

Apparently the colors were chosen from the Top 10 Colors: Spring 2016, and I think it's interesting to see Rose Quartz and Serenity mixed among the others.

photo courtesy www.wwd.com

It was also intriguing to see the suggestions that Rose Quartz pairs well with Peach Echo, Serenity, and Lilac Gray, and that Serenity pairs well with Buttercup, Snorkel Blue, and Peach Echo, in addition to several other color pairings.

So the bottom line for me is this: they probably aren't what I would have chosen from the spring lineup - I confess I'm partial to Limpet Shell, Lilac Gray, and even Green Flash. But for the past several years, I've taken the opportunity to create a project with the Pantone Color of the Year, it's been an engaging odyssey, and I hope to do so again. Whether with Rose Quartz and Serenity together or separate, I'm not sure....we'll see where the new year takes us.

Just for fun, here are my Pantone projects from 2012-2015....

:: Marsala 2015 :: "Sizzling"

:: Radiant Orchid 2014 :: "Radiancy"

:: Emerald 2013 :: "An Emerald Table"

:: Tangerine Tango 2012 :: "Tangerisk"