SPN quilt, part 1

[zubeneschamali]

Let me preface this by saying this is all wendy's fault.


I made a comment on her journal a few months ago about obsessions colliding and somehow that planted the seed of combining my two hobbies: fandom and quilting. I buy lots of fabric, some of which I actually make into quilts, some of which I collect on a certain theme and plan to put into a themed quilt someday once I have "enough." Well. The two themes I happen to collect on are 1) food and 2) travel/maps. So, when I started considering how an SPN quilt would actually look, it turned out that I already had most of the fabric!

Quilts are often made based on traditional patterns, like Log Cabin or Storm at Sea or Ohio Star. It so happens that there's a block called Kansas Troubles (link is for the history buffs out there). What could be more perfect?

Here's a Kansas Troubles block:

And here's what an entire (mini) quilt looks like:


I like the pinwheel effect, but I also like that you can mix and match colors, maybe keeping the background constant but changing the large and small triangles from block to block for a "scrappy" effect.

So. My goal is to finish, before next year's Wincon, an SPN quilt, either to be raffled away at Wincon for a charity, or donated through help_xxxx (depending on what natural disasters happen between now and then). I'm going to make posts on my progress to keep myself moving and to let y'all see what the process of making a quilt is like.

Step 1 is to gather the fabrics. (This is often my favorite part.) The background of the blocks is going to be this (isn't it adorable?):



Then the larger triangles will be from various fabrics that make me think of the boys' shirts. This was the only fabric I had to buy, because I don't normally keep plaids and stripes on hand:



The smaller triangles will be from these fabrics that made me think of Show: brick walls for all the alleys they're often in, coffee and skulls for obvious reasons. I'd like to get a few more choices in these same dark colors; any thoughts on motifs I should be including?



I also have a few fabrics that I'm planning on "fussy cutting" the individual shapes out of and fusing or appliqueing on in various places; the motifs are too large and bright to use in the triangle pieces, but they're too good to pass up. :D I know I've seen fabric with hamburgers; I might need to get some of that, too.



Finally, this is for the backing. I bought it on clearance last summer, knowing it was too gaudy and tacky for me to use in a prominent location, but loving it because of the Route 66 theme. Well, now it'll be perfect to go on the back of the quilt!



I'm excited about this, and I hope I can actually pull it off!

Comments

[wendy.livejournal.com]

I FREAKING LOVE THIS, YOU ARE AMAZING.

[zubeneschamali.livejournal.com]

I HAVEN'T EVEN DONE ANYTHING YET.

[wendy.livejournal.com]

DID TOO! You had an amazing, creative idea and you've gotten all the pieces together. I'm in AWE!

[zubeneschamali.livejournal.com]

Thank you, m'dear. I guess it's just that I have fabric and patterns gathered for literally dozens of quilts, so I feel like I haven't done anything yet because I haven't actually sewn anything. Thanks for the encouragement!

Ooh, gold stars. *grabby hands*

[morganoconner.livejournal.com]

This is going to be all kinds of awesome. :D I cannot WAIT to see the finished quilt!!

[zubeneschamali.livejournal.com]

I hope so!

[kelios.livejournal.com]

Sounds like fun! I've never gotten the hang of quilting, but I'd love to see the finished product :)

[zubeneschamali.livejournal.com]

It's epic in my mind...let's see if it turns out that way in reality...

[deirdre-c.livejournal.com]

Wheeeeeee!!! Go you!! How fun.

[zubeneschamali.livejournal.com]

The planning stages are always the most fun. :)

[harrigan.livejournal.com]

This is *fantastic!*!

I'm so glad you're sharing the process with us! The fabrics you have are incredible - and what a great idea for a charity!

[zubeneschamali.livejournal.com]

Thanks! (You might find that history link interesting, too.) I figure I keep posting finished products, so it might be nice to show how they got that way. :)

[jesseofthenorth.livejournal.com]

I think this is going to look AMAZING!

It can get scary when obsessions collide LOL. I found it out the hard way when jewelry making had a head-on with SPN.
I'm excited to see how yours turns out.

[zubeneschamali.livejournal.com]

I hope my quilt turns out as cool as your jewelry!

[jesseofthenorth.livejournal.com]

*blushes* Thanks :D
You know your quilts are gorgeous though right?

[zubeneschamali.livejournal.com]

I only post the good pictures. ;) Seriously, though, thank you.

[peppervl.livejournal.com]

Ohhh. So neat.

[zubeneschamali.livejournal.com]

Thanks! :)

[galwithglasses.livejournal.com]

These cloth choices are the awesomest. I can't wait to see how this turns out.

[zubeneschamali.livejournal.com]

It's just funny that the two themes I happen to collect are so perfect here. Well, mostly the food fabrics are fruits and vegetables, so I should probably throw in a couple of those for Sam's sake. :)

[scintilla10.livejournal.com]

Heeeee! This sounds amazing!

[zubeneschamali.livejournal.com]

I'm gonna give it my best shot!

[tuckercat2.livejournal.com]

OMG! I tried to quilt so I am in awe! Great choices by the way! Please publish pictures of the progress? I love to see how it goes together as while as the finished project!!!!

[zubeneschamali.livejournal.com]

I will definitely post pics along the way...y'all can keep me honest about actually making progress on the thing. :)

[gypsy-atavari.livejournal.com]

Wow!! That is sooo cool! :-)

[zubeneschamali.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I'm pretty excited. :)

[enablelove.livejournal.com]

Hahah I don't quilt, but that's perfect, dude.

[zubeneschamali.livejournal.com]

I couldn't believe I already had so much appropriate fabric on hand. :)

[mistyzeo.livejournal.com]

Oh my god, this is fantastic.

[zubeneschamali.livejournal.com]

I hope I can pull it off!

[allback2mine.livejournal.com]

This looks amazing! I would love to see how you get on with it.

[zubeneschamali.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I'm hoping it works out...