So what did I do? I found some 2½" batik strips, from a roll of pre-cut 2½" batik strips (a jelly roll in all but name!), stacked them, cut through the stack at 17" and sewed them together along the long sides with the darkest at the bottom and the lightest at the top. How boring!
I didn't choose the brightest of colours but stuck with earth tones. I'm thinking the Earth and Mother Nature, sedimentary rocks, peat cuttings. Colour-wise rather like an early Van Gogh, before he went off to the South of France and discovered irises and sunflowers!
If I read the challenge instructions properly I've got one more month to make this into something. Something, that is, other than the resemblance of a stack of peat propped up to dry!
I'm linking to
Click on the button to see more improvised Chinese Coins. I am sure there will some amazing variations on the theme.
Happy sewing
Marly.
12 comments:
Using earth tones has enormous possibilities -- will be watching to see what you do with these!
I feel like mine is boring too. I will have to put some thought into it and see if I can make it a bit more interesting.
You have some beautiful fabrics here, Marly. Just keep going! Eventually you will hit critical mass and the right idea will be there. :D
I feel that the pattern of chinese coins is hard to deconstruct and still have the "look" of chinese Coins in it...unless you make them staggered??? I like your fabric choices and agree that they look like sedimentary rock colors...--maybe a fes curvy edges? This is a tough one...hugs, Julierose
So where do you see sedimentary rocks? A desert or forest or mountainside? I'm seeing some pine trees breaking through these rocks. Deconstruction of geology and quilt pattern. A few strong verticals, some offsets of the bedding and some triangular branches.
How amusing that you're just like me. Every time I say "yuck, I'll never make that pattern," I find myself working on one soon. Perhaps it's because we focus on that quilt? I'm learning to stop at each quilt in a show and find something I like. It helps me concentrate on construction.
Thanks so much for accepting our invitation and linking you progress with AHIQ. We all learn from each other.
These are the sorts of fabrics I love to use to make landscapes, so that's what I see here. I like the texture and movement in the designs. Have fun making a Chinese Coin quilt you'll be proud of.
I agree with Ann -maybe some strong verticals? I found I was much happier once I stopped thinking about what I 'should do'. You've made a stack, so now you can do whatever you want with them! I like your colours though - not boring but soft and muted. Don't feel you have to be done by next month either - I may well not get mine done by then.
I'm not sure you need to focus on "getting something made." Play! Experiment, by throwing in unexpected colors or other blocks. Or you may want to keep working with the earth/nature theme and see what direction that takes you. Themes speak to some of us, colors to others. What makes your quilter heart happy? Try to find that and then a way to incorporate it into your efforts with these fabrics. (You can hardly go wrong with batiks!)
I'm loving your color choices, Marly (not that that should matter at all). I agree with Sue, just let your heart do its thing. Have fun with whatever you choose and enjoy the process. That's improv (to me anyway) and a great way to work when you want to find your quilter's voice or you just want the good feeling of being your own quilter.
Haha!! You did make me laugh Marly. I don't sere anything wrong with a stack of peat - very Irish I think! Lots of deep browns and rich greens added to the mix would contribute to the theme. Or maybe some deep reds for extra warmth...ooh I could get carried away with this. Look forward to seeing what you do next :)
Looks like fall to me...maybe some red, orange, purple, yellow; however, I have to say I actually like your "pile of peat" colors all by themselves. I'm anxious to see your progress next month!
There is plenty of room for growth. I had to laugh because the secret of my coins is a stack of peat or humus. But I'm not,finished yet. See you in a month.
Post a Comment