coat of many colours

Last night I had a sudden urge to get on with laying out pieces for this patchwork throw I am making for Neon, perhaps to match his name... do not adjust your set!

I first picked up a bundle of reclaimed fabric strips in checkered blues and oranges at the Birmingham Quilt Festival in 2005(!). Amongst all of the traders, my friend and I were most fascinated by Worn and Washed fabrics who created these beautiful bundles from co-ordinating patterns and colourways. I bought a little bundle as an inspiration and kept it in my workroom for well over a year before I could even think about opening it up!

At a later date I bought some more reclaimed checkered fabric packs from Ragbags, who are another UK based company dealing with reclaimed fabrics. They have some interesting vintage scraps too, and often appear at quilting shows around the country if you can catch them.

I wasn't quite sure what to make and toyed with the idea of a traditional or logcabin quilt until I saw these pictures of African textiles in Selvedge magazine:

...which inspired me to simplify the pattern and go for some bright plains inbetween all the checks, and not be so fearful about just jamming them all together.

Letting go, I thought I'd be bold and not plan too much and just lay it all out to see how it looked.

My friend Barbara had attended the same exhibition at Joss Graham that the article had been about and also sent me these pictures on a disc.

I started it back at the old flat, where there was minimal space for laying out, and had pinned the checked pieces to an old sheet to hold the pattern. Last night with the fire on and acres of cold laminate floor to spread out on - it was ideal to start fitting the in the coloured spacers.

Designing it has turned into quite an organic process, but I am pleased with the simplicity of it, and that it is using a mix of reclaimed fabrics. I decided to make a warm throw that just fits over the shoulders like a shrug - just for cosying up in or reading under... or perhaps wearing with lots of ankle jewellery standing out in the Serengeti.

Comments

[Sally Anne]

How exciting for you to be embarking on this stitching journey.I love the plaids and alternate brights, they go really well together, and how clever of you to have chosen simple squares, they are perfect! Your sewing will race away and soon Neon will have his bright throw to warm those winter days.

[suzanne]

Hey, that looks great! I don't know how you have the patience, but it will look amazing!

[Pippa Long]

Gosh, that should wake you up in the mornings, very brave.

[melissa]

that's fantastic, caireen. i love your that you have used reclaimed fabrics, and gotten your inspiration from those african quilts. (that picture with the hats on sticks is amazing!) looking forward to seeing the throw finished...

[Barbara]

I love the patchwork throw for Neon, I can just see him in the Serengetti - watch out for those lions!
Love
B