learning from a master

There are Kaffe Fassett fans (fanatics?) in the quilting world and then there are people like me who have had one or two KF fabrics in their stash...may own a book or two for inspiration...but have never gone in for the OneDesignerAllTheWay kind of quilt design. For me much of the fun of quilting has been adapting existing or traditional designs to my own sensibility, or playing with colours and fabrics to challenge myself.

Well.

I have a friend who has been making the most magnificent quilt tops from KF fabrics (her stash of them is formidable!). And I caught the bug. I just wanted a rich and wild KF project, dipping into the reds and hot pinks and oranges that Kaffe Fassett does so well.

So.

I bought a kit. GASP!

The colourway is "Scarlet." 

I have never ever done a kit, until now...or even followed the recommended fabrics or even the general colours in a quilt pattern. As I organized all the beautiful and wild prints that came in this kit, I had to wrap my head around the fact that choosing fabric was not part of this particular adventure. I could take no credit at all for the design choices if I followed this kit to the letter.

But I decided to follow obediently, nevertheless. I approached this as a mini-course in a master designer's approach to quilt design. And it has been fascinating!

The combinations are weird and wonderful and I think the final quilt will be kind of amazing -- all credit to Fassett, I am just the labourer ;p

Today I am just sharing lots of pics...more notes and reflections to come soon (and more projects, since I do have some others underway).

The pile grew (30 blocks in all).

And I added the seemingly BIZARRE choice for sashing and cornerstones (but of course they actually work, because Fassett is nothing if not a colour genius).

And now, VOILA! A quilt top! I learned a lot (but am so eager to get back to making my own choices, with this new experience under my belt). Quilting to come..