The start of my first coin quilt. I will add to and rearrange the strips
I have mentioned before that I am a fan of Rachel LaBour, who used to be Rachel Hauser, and who is the blog author of Stitched In Color. I started reading her blog in 2013 when she still lived in the US. Being a fairly traditional quilter, I was mostly astounded at her fearless choices in fabric and colors. I did not want to try to be her, but I enjoyed reading about her boldness.
Rachel's thrift store chairs and pink walls
Along the way, she has been beautifully transparent about her private life - the heartbreak and loss of her baby, a move to The Netherlands, a divorce, boyfriends, ex-boyfriends, becoming a Dutch citizen, moving in with a boyfriend, moving out, getting back with ex-boyfriend - it has been quite the read! A recent end to a relationship and a change in living plans lead her to a move to an apartment for just her and her daughter. And the decorating reflects her current state of freedom and independence!
NOT my quilt - this is Rachel's new Rosie Coin Quilt in her new pink bedroom!
Go read about her pink bedroom - it is a fun post about exuberant joyful self-reliance. In it she features the gorgeous quilt she made for herself - she calls it "Rosie Coin Quilt". When she first started the quilt, I reacted as I normally do - "oh that's too much pink, it isn't matchy-matchy, why does she have all those other colors in it". Then I began to appreciate the harmony of it all, and now I am obsessed with it!
Months ago I purchased a few fabrics from the Barbie World collection and started a pull for granddaughter Laney's Barbie quilt. I had a completely different pattern in mind, but after I saw Rachel's pink room I decided to emulate her pink coin quilt, adapting Barbie colors instead. Having not made a coin quilt, I followed Rachel's advice and sewed strips of 3" fabric together then cut them into 4-1/2" pieces - big enough to showcase the fabrics. I added stash and scraps with wild abandon.
Photos of her quilt are scattered on my cutting table (along with Gus) to encourage me out of my color comfort zone. Just when my mind says "no that won't match" I look at Rachel's quilt and think "why not!
I pulled some long hoarded fabric such as Carrie Bloomston Painted Cups, a piece of Heather Ross Brides, a couple of Basic Grey PB&J floral cuts, and three pieces of one of Mom's old dish towels!
I am joining these blog linkups:
Kate's 15 Minutes to Stitch
Brenda's Monday Musings
Melva's Sew and Tell
nice coin quilt - I am an off and on reader of Rachael and will mark her blog again I lost it again with computer trouble. I have made one or two coin quilts over the years with scraps
ReplyDeleteI am always a bit dithery about which colours go together - you have a lovely mix of colours in your quilt. I am off to read Rachels blog - thanks for the link. xx
ReplyDeleteYou've got a great start on your coin quilt. It's scary to play with lots of colors, but your version is looking good. Enjoy the process.
ReplyDeleteRachel sound interesting and fearless. I'll check out her blog. Your coin quilt strips are looking good so far, Linda.
ReplyDeleteYears ago I used to follow her blog. Your quilt is going to be so fun and pretty!! Kudos to you to jump in and do it!!
ReplyDeleteThose are such pretty colors! I am not familiar with that blog, but I will look it up and maybe bookmark it. BTW, my bedroom walls are that same color—my husband called it peptobismal pink.
ReplyDeleteI used to follow Rachel, but have lost track of her recently - now I have to go back and get caught up! I did always admire her quilting style. Love that photo of your coin quilt blocks on the design wall, Linda! What a fun way to make a quilt for your granddaughter - it will be a Barbie I Spy. I think Gus approves, too!
ReplyDeleteYour design wall looks exuberant, Linda!!! I love it!
ReplyDeleteShe is a creative soul and her color choices are so interesting. She makes it look so easy. Some day I want to make her pas de deux pattern. It's on my lengthy list!
ReplyDeleteYay for you! I love how your quilt looks, and I still admire your courage to just jumping in and playing with color!
ReplyDeleteThis is a super fun quilt on your design wall, Linda. I spotted the cup fabrics right off- so cute! I am often apprehensive of stepping out of my comfort zone color wise too, but I adore the Barbie fabrics. I had no idea there was a line of them. Happy piecing , sweet friend. Hugs.
ReplyDeleteWhy is it called a coin quilt?
ReplyDeleteThis was so interesting! I am going to have to check out her blog. I always admire people who can work with color the way that a lot of them do. I would love to do that, but I just can’t. I did, growing up, have a red, white, and blue bedroom wherein walls were blue, one wall was red, one wall was white, and that white wall was strung with long strands of red, white, and blue beads. I had campaign furniture. It was quite the picture, of course, this was back in the day when people loved our country. I miss those days. I look forward to reading about your quilt, but like someone else mentioned, I don’t know what a coin quilt is, what is it?
ReplyDeleteAnd here I think I haunt your blog to see your color combos!! LOL. Love the direction you are going.
ReplyDeletePretty in pink! Your coin quilt is going to look fabulous! Now I'm tempted too, but it has too wait. Way too many UFOs to take care of. Thanks for the link to Rachel's blog, I have to check it out.
ReplyDeleteYour scrappy coins project is inspiring me to sew mine up. I have had strips cut, organized, and in a bag for 5 years. It is time to get them sewn.
ReplyDeleteThank you DQ! Five years - yes I have the same kind of things in my sewing closet. We know we will do them sometime, right?
DeleteIndeed. They eventually get done, but not necessarily before getting side tracked along the journey.
DeleteThat's a great choice for Laney's quilt and thanks for letting us know about Rachel's site. She is a new read for me.
ReplyDeleteWow, I love it Linda. I don't think I've heard of a coin quilt but it looks fun and I love that you are moving out of your comfort zone with colors. I'm guilty of getting stuck with the same ones and wanting everything to be matchy matchy! LOL Those Barbie fabrics are a great choice for Laney's quilt. I think your supervisor Gus is liking them too! Have a great weekend. Thanks for sharing with us at Monday Musings.
ReplyDeleteSuch a pleasing combo of strips together on the design wall! Coins- so simple, yet And good start on your Laney/Barbie/Gus quilt.
ReplyDeleteHi Linda, I'm Dianet, a friend and follower of Melisa. I read about your cemetery project and it piqued my curiosity, so I came across your beautiful blog! So many gorgeous projects! Congratulations, and I hope to visit often to enjoy all your lovely work. If you'd like (I would love it!), I'd love for you to visit my blog sometime too, so you can get to know me a little better and we can enjoy my work and support each other. Hugs, and I'm following you now!
ReplyDeleteSee you soon, your newest follower,
Dianet del blog Parchesdeamor
I am an on-again, off-again reader of Rachel's, so it was fun to get an update on her life and her quilt-making. I think this will be such a great quilt you are making, and you can't go wrong with a coin quilt as it shows off the colors and prints yet comes together beautifully. Thanks for this fun read!
ReplyDeleteI am super behind reading your posts. I really like your version of the quilt and now it looks even better with the stars. It is always fun to see Gus, of course.
ReplyDelete-Soma