When I started this challenge I assumed I'd be making a larger sized quilt, maybe lap size. I was piecing the sections with that in mind. For some reason I wanted to see what they looked like cut smaller. So I did.
I also chose a background fabric. My husband used to tell me how birch trees lighten the forest, especially at night. I chose the darkest gray kona that I had in my stash. I think I'm going to call this quilt, 'Night Forest.' So I started cutting and piecing into the background.
I cut up some of the sections and rearranged a bit, and adding in a few touches here and there. Using the sliced up trees of one section makes most of the trees look the same. I didn't want that. I'm continuing to piece sections, slice them up and make trees. I'm thinking this may end up being a long, horizontal piece for the wall. So far, I'm so happy with it. I still want to make a larger quilt with these techniques and this theme...I'm learning so much about how to make the trees look like I want them to.
One more finish to report. Four pillows for my son. I love the rounded corners on these. Remember, this is the LAST weekend of the spring to finish challenge. The challenge ends midnight on Monday. We'll all report in on Tuesday! Get busy! Time is running out.
I also chose a background fabric. My husband used to tell me how birch trees lighten the forest, especially at night. I chose the darkest gray kona that I had in my stash. I think I'm going to call this quilt, 'Night Forest.' So I started cutting and piecing into the background.
I cut up some of the sections and rearranged a bit, and adding in a few touches here and there. Using the sliced up trees of one section makes most of the trees look the same. I didn't want that. I'm continuing to piece sections, slice them up and make trees. I'm thinking this may end up being a long, horizontal piece for the wall. So far, I'm so happy with it. I still want to make a larger quilt with these techniques and this theme...I'm learning so much about how to make the trees look like I want them to.
One more finish to report. Four pillows for my son. I love the rounded corners on these. Remember, this is the LAST weekend of the spring to finish challenge. The challenge ends midnight on Monday. We'll all report in on Tuesday! Get busy! Time is running out.
65 comments:
I LOVE the trees. You are so smart to think of these, why can't I think of wonderful things like this. I do sooooo love them.
glen
Those trees are WAY COOL. I love it when you push yourself!
Love the pillows, too -- they remind me of a backgammon board!
Trees are stunning and thank you so much for sharing the process along the way. I am really trying to push myself outside of my comfort zone and seeing how others let the creative process take hold is very inspiring.
Woah, when you started those birch trees I couldn't see it at all and now they look amazing. I wish I was that clever!
I love the trees. The pillows are very manly looking. :)
I really like how the trees are looking, especially with the dark background.
Your son's pillows are too cute!
those trees are amazing. really really beautiful.I'm so impressed and amazed at the way you created them.
The forest is coming together exactly as I pictured it in my head. Not that that is important to you, but I find it interesting that my brain worked the same as yours.
Those pillows are stunning!!
Can't wait to see how the trees progress and what they turn into.
The trees are brilliant, and a long horizontal piece will be fabulous on the wall!!!!
The pillows are super cool too.
LOVING the birches, LOVE the pillows. As usual, very inspirational!
Those trees are just AWESOME..what a COOL idea! I'm in AWE of people who have original ideas (as I have NONE! LOL). Oh well..and the pillows are so MANLY looking. Perfect for your son. WTG!
Great trees, it's going to be striking, as your work always is. The pillows are super fun!
wow, they really do look like birches! And you were totally right, the blacks make the piece. I do like the first photo better though, with more black space in between trees. It reads more like birches to me.
Amazing progress!! I can't wait to see this one finished. And I love the pillows too!
Nice trees. Somehow they remind me of birch. Also the pillows are very cool. It is a nice pattern.
The trees are very cool and it is great to see how you work. I really like this technique and it give the impression of a forest. I wonder how it would look with shades of green. The dark gray background was a great choice too.
Birch trees are my favourites and you're capturing them beautifully! I love the idea of a long horizontal wallquilt. The dark Kona is the perfect backdrop. Those pillows are pretty fabulous, too.
Yikes! Monday is coming far to fast, better get busy this weekend!
Your trees are beautiful!
I love birches! I'm looking at my three through the window right now.
Stunning!
Wow, Night Forest is looking awesome. Sharing your techniques and thought is inspiring. I love the dark background you used. It really shows off the trees perfectly. Those pillows look so great, love the colors and design you used.
Night Forest is the perfect name for this quilt...that's exactly what I think of when looking at this. I love your use of color and the various shades of grays and darks.
I love "Night Forest" It is so true they do glow and yours are perfect.
That totally looks like birch trees. You are an amazing artist! So inspiring.
I love the work you're doing with the trees and the pillows are positively striking.
This is just the thing I've wanted to do for years - I tried it with applique strips and couldn't get the look but this is just stunning
oh my gosh! how beautiful!!! you truly are inspiring - i love birch trees and this is just perfect.
Your "Night Forest" is really developing nicely! Birch trees are one of my husband's favorites so I may have to steal - I mean, be inspired by this idea to make him a special quilt. It's really a treat to peek "behind the scenes" and see the process. Thank you so much for sharing.
The trees are really fabulous - it definitely belongs on a wall. And those pillows - my my, they are stunning
The birch trees just took my breath away....WOW! I am in awe. I love the dark background too.
wow - that looks like a wonderful birch forest!! I can't believe how much it changed from the wide pieced strip to the birches in the dark. They really turned into trees!
Incredible!!! The forest is amazing! It couldn't be more perfect, Jacquie...so you, so birch, so visually interesting & slightly mysterious....LOVE it.
I love the pillows, too. Is your son a backgammon fan?
Night Forest is truly fabulous!!!! Love everything about this one.
.....and those pillows? very cool!
Jacquie! These so look like birch trees. I saw the thumbnails first in Flickr and I said to myself "Those are awesome trees". Good job! You're one of my favorite quilt designers! :-) So inventive and unique!
Yes, as per the 30 something comments before me, the trees are really succesful! I can see myself trying this technique on a landscape of Maine.
Gorgeous pillows. Period. Wow. They'd be perfect for my backgammon playing sister! Did you design the pattern yourself? -christina
Looks like a wonderful technique you're using - you make it look so easy - not fair!!!!
I am always drawn to tree quilts, and this one is no exception! Loving it!
Love them - those are birches, no doubt. I like the first photo best - with a little more space between the trees. Are you going to add an occasional leaf as well? I'm very impressed - I am more tradional and am always afraid of miscutting and wasting the tiniest scrap of fabric (especially since I have no stash). Can't wait to see the end result.
Those pillows are absolutely sharp! As for the trees, I see "night eyes" in your forest ... you know, that 'knee cap' section of the bark that resembles an eye? ... Neat. Love it.
MMMMMMMM........... those trees take my breath away! I agree, the first photo is the best - it kind of lets the trees stand on their own. And some animal "night eyes" peeking out from in between might be really interesting.....
I know I mentioned this on Flickr, but these trees are just amazing! And those pillows--your son is one lucky guy!
oh, i love seeing how this changed from the last post about it to this one - hurray for the process pledge and the sharing of more than just finished work!
Once again, I am so loving what you are making.
I like the way you have allowed the birches to lean slightly, and superimposed one on the other to give it some depth. There's no doubt what it is.
Are you going to add a stray leaf or two and if so, will you stick with the neutrals or add a splash of green or other color?
Night Forest is coming together beautifully - it's almost glowing!
Love your Birch tree forest. Thanks so much for sharing your process, it has given me the spark to think I could have a go at something similar. My husband & I recently visited our daughter who lives for part of the year on Lord Howe Island, they have a Kentia palm nursery there which export palm trees around the world. I took photos of the forest of palm trees and now I would like to make a wall quilt using the beautiful palm tree trunks as inspiration. from Jenny McH (Melbourne, Australia)
They are so lovely the trees are exactly like my friends garden and the cushions are a great combination of colours.
Wow. I just had an emotional reaction to your quilt, and I have no idea why. I literally teared up when I saw the second photo. I love the birch trees on the dark background - in fact, I like the second photo, with more black and less tree, better than the one with more trees. This is wonderful!
So so clever Jacquie!!
So pretty! it reminds me of the aspen forest by Fish Lake in central Utah. And I'm getting a little homesick for it.
Very nice trees. Missing a branch or two but they do look very realistic
I am completely in love with your forest!!!
Your trees are absolutely smashing!
It's fun watching your progress on this one. I like the way the trees branch out of each other.
Fabulous trees Jacquie! Have a great weekend and happy sewing!
I love, love, love your trees! What are you learning about how to make them look more like trees?
love those pillows!!!!!!!!!!! just awesome!
Those trees look so amazing. I would normally think that that colour combo would look a bit dull but it suits this project so well.....
LOVE it! great to see the first bit of piecing there as well very helpful.
The pillows look wonderful, and the birch trees are coming along quite nicely. thank you for sharing the process.
Oh Jacqui, those trees are stunning!
I just about gasped when I saw those trees. So creative and amazing.
absolutely gorgeous! These birch trees are amazing! You have such wonderful vision.
I LOVE the way your fabric birch trees jump out!
Very unique and inspiring idea!
Thanks alot!
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