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Sunday, February 16, 2014

Stripping...But In a Nice Way

Every once in a while, I'll get on a roll where I've made several girly quilts in a row, and my wild thing will ask me why I won't make a quilt that a boy would like.  It occurred to me and to him apparently) that I haven't made a boyish quilt in awhile, or even a gender neutral one- since Around the Block in fact.


This was a really fast quilt top to put together, since strips are so fun and easy to work with.  As much as I liked the fabrics when I pulled them though, I'm not absolutely loving the quilt top.  I'm wondering if it's just because the majority of the colors are much more muted than what I've been looking at lately.


When I pulled the fabrics, I thought there was a good balance of lighter and darker value fabrics, but in the quilt, I'm not so sure.  I do like the varied width of the strips, and I think it makes the quilt a lot more interesting.

I'm hoping that when this is all quilted up, I'll like it better, which is what usually happens when I'm not totally thrilled with something I'm working on.  So, here's hoping!


36 comments:

  1. I like it! I think the bright aqua and the dark brown give it just the right accents!

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  2. It is a delightful boys quilt Kelly! Always like brown and turcoise together, the stripes are great and I LOVE the bike fabric!!!

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  3. I like it! I'm sure you will too once it's all quilted and the binding is sewn on. :-)

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  4. I like it. Everything doesn't have to be crazy colors you know! I'm certain someone will have to own this one. :)

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  5. Kelly, I think you are being way to hard on yourself. It is so pretty, or whatever is gender neutral to say! The turquois sets the other colors off. Great job!

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  6. I love the teal, brown, and coral together. I need to collect some of those!

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  7. Such a fresh and fun mix of colors and prints! I like it!

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  8. Me, too, like it I mean. Great combination of colors I think.

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  9. I too think there is plenty of value variation. You have distributed the brown and white well, and the pale colors make a nice back drop for the bright aqua.

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  10. I have to say that I love it already! I can understand your hesitation to it as the colors are very different than the last few that you have posted, but it is beautiful. Don't doubt it...go with it!

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  11. I like the blue hue and the coral together. I think that you will like it much better once you quilt and bind it too!

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  12. I always look forward to putting the binding on a quilt - sometimes it is exactly what the quilt needs to pull everything together. I do like this quilt!

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  13. Your title had me curious:) Sometimes its a great quilt, but just not what we were shooting for! Looks great and I bet you will love it when you quilt it up.

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  14. I think it is fabulous and the colors are right on. You will probably love it after it's quilted. It looks like it could be used for either a boy or girl because of the colors you used.

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  15. I love the strips as they are nice and simple and it would be great for a boy or girl. It will look differently when it is bound and quilted, then it will be more cuddly.

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  16. It's hard making boy quilts isn't it? Those cute frilly girl fabrics just jump out at ya and take over for goodness sakes. I find I have to forcefully make a boy quilt as well. But I adore your fabric choices. It think there's just enough dark in there to make it interesting yet not overpowering so it's a bit calm for nap time. The brown is very strong and I think that's what gives it the good balance. Love it.

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  17. I think I know what you are reacting to but don't worry it works. I took a look at some of the other entries in your blog and you seem t be working with a lot of colour and not much tonal variation. The brown and turquoise blue really pop in a few spots because they are such wide bands of colour but they balance each other and some of the lighter colours in the quilt. It's all good but in the end you have to like it and be happy with it regardless of what others say.

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  18. So many gorgeous fabrics! I think they look fab. Perhaps a dark binding might be a good idea to frame it and 'hold all those lighter colours in - if you know what I mean! Lovely work :-))

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  19. I love it! I actually prefer the smaller scale prints rather than the large scale ones, so this is exactly my sort of fabric. It looks great sewn up in the strips.

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  20. I love this too! Beautiful fabrics and the pattern is so appealing! Great job!!!

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  21. I love it, Kelly! I think we do tend to pick more muted colors for boys and vibrant colors for girls. I like the aqua, brown and peach in the quilt. It looks wonderful :)

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  22. I like it, too, but what about adding some big applique to the top? It might make it pop more or you could add a color that you feel is lacking. Either way, I think you did a great job!
    Julie @ The Crafty Quilter

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  23. I think it has a great range of colors and values - enough to keep it interesting. it certainly isn't flat! I really like how the strips are different lengths to break up the predictability and keep it moving. we just don't always love everything we make equally! knowing you, though, it won't be staying home. I'm sure the person it ends up with will love it. =)

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  24. Great fabrics and colors! I think once you have this quilted you will love it, I know that happens to me alot! Thanks for sharing.
    Freemotion by the River Linky Party Tuesday

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  25. I really like the different strip widths- it adds lots of interest.

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  26. Love this quilt Kelly -- you are so amazing!! So simple, so beautiful, so BOY!! You keep inspiring us girl -- thanks so much!
    Karen

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  27. I think your quilt is darling. The colors are perffect for a little boy. Did you folllow a pattern? I'd love to make one like this.
    paweis at yahoo dot com

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  28. Love the colour palette, Kelly! And the piecing does add interest, too. Those bikes are great! What boy wouldn't love this quilt?!!!

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  29. This style of quilt is definitely on my to-do list. I love the various stripes!

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  30. Another lovely quilt Kelly! Loving the color scheme--and you are right you have a great light and dark contrast! :)

    Would love for you to stop by and link this up to Fabric Frenzy Friday!
    -Lindsey
    Fabric Frenzy Friday

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  31. Ooh I like the plaid effect with the crisscrossing stripes and I think the color balance is fine. For me where it looks a bit out of balance is in the 2nd /3rd row placement. In all the other rows the vertically rotated block do not touch another vertically rotated block. But they do touch in the 2 and 3rd row. It kinda breaks up the flow. Does that make any sense? This is me trying to figure out what might make a really nice patchwork even better :)

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  32. Love the colors - is bluebird park not the best :-)

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  33. Strip quilting can be fun! Yours came out quite wonderful! Love the choice of fabrics and colors. Cute that your young one noticed not too many quilts for boys! :)Thanks for stopping by blog too! Happy quilting weekend!

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Thanks so much for your comment and for visiting! I read and appreciate every single comment, and I reply to each one as soon as I can. If you don't hear back from me, you might be a no-reply blogger. :)

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