I had been to a quilt show once where someone made a Convergence quilt using a Michael Miller chicken/rooster print. I thought this would be the opportunity to make that quilt myself, after all, I do own a meter of that wonderful print!
While I was at the quilt shop yesterday looking for coordinate prints, another quilter asked me what I had planned for the gorgeous chicken fabric. I told her I was making a Convergence quilt. She had never heard of the pattern so I explained how you use four prints and cut them into strips and sew them back together. (Obviously simplified instructions.) She was horrified and couldn't believe that I would consider cutting up these beautiful chickens. At that moment, I realized that I couldn't go through with cutting this gorgeous fabric up--I couldn't see these chickens "in jail" behind bars of contrasting fabric!
I went ahead and purchased two coordinates but I vowed to find a different way to display my beloved chickens. (The red fabric was already in my stash.)
When I got home, I remembered that I had previously purchased a copy of Judy Sisneros' book, 9-Patch Pizzazz. This is a more appropriate use of my chicken fabric as this book makes excellent use of large scale prints by leaving them intact, in large chunks--6 1/2", 12 1/2", 18 1/2", etc. As long as each side is divisible by 6 and add 1/2" you can make use of the square or rectangle in this pattern.
Now that I have a pattern to use the chickens appropriately, I turned my attention back to selecting fabrics from my stash for my Convergence quilt. This is the first combination I put together. I have decided that the fabrics may be too "matchy" and there isn't enough contrast between all pieces so I discarded this selection and went back to searching.
Then I came across a bright floral FQ in my stash. I started to pull fabrics from the floral and came up with this combination. Unless I come up with another combination before we start cutting into our fabrics, this is what I am going with for my Convergence quilt!
Thanks to the FABs and on-line discussions about this new project, I am officially curred of Quilter's Block.......at least for now!
Good for decisions made in both regards! Can't wait to get started since I bought my stuff at the shop hop. Think it will work for this anyway.
ReplyDeleteChickens in Jail will not work, LOL.
Those chicks will look great in the new design. Chickens in jail - no free-range here *s*
ReplyDeleteI've made a Convergence wall hanging. It was a lot of fun. I can't wait to see yours.
ReplyDeleteYou know, when I saw that fabric the first thing I said is, "There is NO way that Norma will use that in a convergence quilt!"
ReplyDeleteBut if you use those complimentary fabrics, you can applique a rooster onto a corner of the convergence quilt - give meaning to you fabric choices.
Oh & by the way if you had used that in a convergence - chicken pieces would be next! Or at least a chicken charm quilt!
Hi Norma,
ReplyDeleteI really like the convergence pattern and I have made 1/2 dozen large lap size quilts using this pattern- some times I have used the four fabrics in the body and extended them out to form the outer border after placing a small stop border. It is sometimes tricky to get it straight when you cut it again when you make the larger size.
I usually start with a 36 -40 inch square of each of the four fabrics.
The only one that I haven't finished is the one that the fabrics were too close to the same. It turned out too mushy. I found it worked best when I used two light ones and two dark ones that are set opposite to one another- it provided the best contrast. It is a fun project and sews up remarkably fast.
Enjoy...
Anna
nice choices!
ReplyDeleteI've seen a version of one of those 9 patch quilts and it was stunning. You are so right to save that fabric for a pattern that really showcases a big print!
ReplyDeleteCheers!
Evelyn