Sunday 18 March 2012

Stained QAL - a start

Stained QAL
Ok so I'm a month and a half late to the party (middle of March already? Yikes!) but I've been so inspired by some of the Stained QAL tops popping up I pulled a bundle of fabrics out the other day and have spent this weekend stealing some cutting time. 

I should back track a little. Last weekend, I mananged to convince Mr Elven Garden that I really needed some shelves in our bedroom to stash my fabric. Surprisingly he agreed (:oD) and so this week I spent a LOT of time this week folding all my fabric (sort of using Jeni's tutorial) and putting it on my new shelves. It's been a bit of an eye opener for me (in a good way) to see exactly how much fabric I have. It's a bit ridiculous, and now the other half is commenting on our 'bedroom fabric shop'... hence I am actually on a fabric diet. For a while at least ;o)


It's mostly sorted by colour, but I couldn't bring myself to split up some of my collections - so Lizzy House has her own shelf and I've kept things like my Japanese linen, AMH, Heather Bailey, Saffron Craig etc together. It was also a great way to pick out some bits to list in Lucy's Stale Stash Swap this Tuesday :o). 

Anyhoo, back to the QAL (since this post was meant to be about that!!) When I was folding and sorting,  I kept coming back to an idea of using Saffron Craig's Magical Lands for the Stained quilt. I pulled a few other prints as well and came up with this little stack:


I've cut all the pieces (Sarah's instructions are amazing! It could have been a nightmare, but it totally wasn't.) and now I'm trying to decide on sashing colour. Some help here would be awesome ;o) I'm trying to decide between this one (Kona PFD):


And this one (Kona Hibiscus):


Or I do have enough black which might work... I'm really, really stuck on it. I love the purple, but I think the whitey one my help the colours pop more. Which would you choose? I need to make Just Wing It #2 first before I start cutting sashing anyway (so lots of time to try and decide...) but I'd really appreciate some input :o) 

xx Jess

13 comments:

LT said...

I vote for hibiscus. I think the colors still pop and the contrast is really attractive. And nice shelves too! I also got new shelves recently - did all the folding, although did mini bolts, and also decided I should go on a fabric diet. Well good luck deciding on your stained QAL background

Kristi said...

My initial thought was "I LOVE THAT PURPLE!!!" lol....I think the Hibiscus really makes the colors pop even though you think the white does. My feeling from the photos is the white dilutes the colors just a touch but the purple brings out each of their individual tones. lol...but that's just my opinion. Lovely fabrics and good luck choosing!

MC said...

While both combinations are cute, I am also a fan of the hibiscus, it really makes the colours stand out. A makeup artist friend once told me that purple is the one colour of the rainbow that can also serve as a neutral.

needle and nest said...

Put me down for hibiscus! It really does make the colors and prints you chose (all gorgeous!) shine. :)

Jess @ Scrappy n Happy said...

I vote for the purple!
I was sorting my stash last week too and can't believe how much fabric I have....although I think you beat me!

Quilting In The Cold said...

I would go for the purple, it is stunning.

Teje Karjalainen said...

Your fabrics look so beautiful! That new project is really great and you have chosen lovely colours! I think that purple is perfect for them! Usually I'm always for the white but here I think it's too light. Enjoy & happy sewing! x Teje

Di said...

My vote goes to the Kona HibIscus as it makes the colours pop and adds depth to the block. Let us know what you choose! Di xo

Katy Cameron said...

As one that did this for purple fabric, I'd say the white will make your fabrics pop more, they'll blend with the purple, which is maybe not a bad thing, it just depends what look you want :o)

moira said...

purple all the way for me. It really makes the colours pop.

twelfthzodiac said...

How brave of you to put your fabric in the bedroom! Mine is hidden away where my husband can't see it...hehe.
I think that purple is just the right colour for your background. I think because some of your prints have white in them, they don't show up as well against the white. To my eye, the purple helps them pop & adds excitment that is lacking a little with the white. :)

Lucy | Charm About You said...

yummy fabric shelves!! Great choice for the Stained QAL - I LOVE it with the hibiscus :)

Michelle said...

Hibiscus