I pushed myself and kept sewing, finishing this at about 11:45 pm last night --- so pardon me if I’m moving a bit slow this morning!
I was so wired after getting it together that even though *I* was ready to sleep, my MIND wasn’t!
Oh, it took forever to wind down, and I tossed and turned and tried to find ways to make my brain shut down. Someone told me once that if you try to remember every house you’ve ever lived in…..and find yourself walking the floor plan, remembering each house in detail, you’ll be out before you know it.
It must have worked at some point ----because the next thing I knew it was morning and I was waking up about 7:30am to birds chirping outside my window, greeting me into the new day.
I LOVE Mondays. I love Mondays at home. Clean fresh start to the new week, and a clean fresh start on changing bed linens and putting my house in order before I head off for Rhode Island tomorrow!
So back to this Florabunda border ---WOW, did this clear out a lot of old 2” floral strips! I’m not a fan of big florals, but this just goes to prove there is a place to use them, and when you sew together what looks kind of “ehhhh” individually ---it’s a happy-water-color-type-of-mess, and this is going to brighten up my guest room so much!
First border attached…loving it already!
The funny thing is I recognize so MANY of these fabrics from all my early quilting years. Is it just a rumor I’ve heard, or is MAUVE aka DUSTY ROSE really coming back in fashion again?
I let the yellow squares in the border just fall wherever they fell. I didn’t lay anything out, I just wanted them to look like I grabbed a random handful and tossed it --- and how they ended up they ended up, a variety of yellows just sparkling where they landed.
Testing my border corner…will it turn right? YES!
I really am glad I took the time to piece this border. It’s a happy win to use all these 2” floral strips, it’s a happy win to use up the left over odd cuts of solid yellow yardage ---and it made the quilt the size I need it to be to fit that guest bed upstairs.
Out on the Deck!
Finished size: Approximately 94" X 103" Fit for a Queen!
I had to hurry this morning to get this photo – that sun is coming through the trees, and quilts look best in the shade where the colors are more true….this is lengthwise across the rail. YES! Who said you can’t make a great quilt out of ugly cast-off fabric!
Close up of one corner!
The next thing I needed to do was pick a backing. At one point I was considering gathering up all the other florals I have sitting around – and cutting 10.5” squares for a pieced backing, but I came across this piece that was gifted to me by Sandi in San Diego in January – it’s one of those “WHAT DO YOU DO WITH THIS?!” kind of pieces:
It’s small segments of Paris street scenes! And there was 10 yards. TEN. YARDS!!
I decided that this would be it for this quilt..I’d purpose this strange fabric that really wouldn’t work for much else--- I do NOT see a one block wonder in my future ((Just shoot me if I start one!)) and this will make a great back. I had a wonderful time when I went to Paris a couple of years ago, and this fabric DOES capture the feeling that I got walking down the streets of that great city.
If this quilt didn’t already HAVE a name – I’d call it ----
Are you ready?
Did you guess?
“April in Paris!”
Of Course! Now, to get it quilted?
60 comments:
what a beauty of a quilt=and such a great use of the floral fabrics which you didn't like- anything cut up into small squares is useable isn't it- I feel the same way.
I am finally tackling my scraps and organizing- you and Teresa at Fabric Therapy have inspired me to get it done.
Karen
Throughout your process making this quilt I've been wondering, WHAT IS SHE THINKING. Now I finally see it. The border or the sunlight on the porch...something finally clicked and now I know that you were just making another wonderful scrap quilt.
April in Paris it is,then! What a wonderful quilt!
When I look at the whole thing, it appears to me that you did do some design work with the lighter yellows all tracking on one diagonal, and the deeper yellows going the other way. It certainly is a bright happy quilt, Congratulations!
I think you chose a perfect backing for this magnificent quilt! Imagine buying 10 yards of a specific fabric. I don't think I ever would...
Beautiful.... absolutely beautiful, Bonnie! The border is stunning... and the backing is perfect for April in Paris!
The border has transformed the quilt from "a very nice quilt" to "absolutely breathtaking.". WOW!! Keep it coming, Bonnie!
Bonnie, the quilt is beautiful. I have a ton of small florals and I feel the wheels turning now! Your quilt just pops with spring excitement!
Fantastic Bonnie - really loving it.
Absolutely love this quilt Bonnie. The border adds so much to a lovely quilt, making it stupendous. I must plan that border for something, it does so much. I may have to do a "florabunda" as well, just love how it came out.
Enjoy your Monday.
Faye in Maine
I'm glad I'm not the only crazy person who loves Mondays. I have more energy and get more accomplished on Mondays, than any other day of the week. Quilt is beautiful as always! I just love the huge array of fabrics, that I just want to look at everything!
Another winner in my book of Bonnie's Marvels. I'm working on Mad City Mama and I love how it is coming along.
Shirley
comfortquilts.blogspot.com
Wonderful quilt Bonnie! Love the border treatment - it just sets it off!!!
Once I got a huge amount of floral fat quarters for around 25 cents each. I dont like florals but thought there had to be something I could do with them. I used Cindi Edgerton's spider web pattern with border and did a huge queen sized spider web quilt. You are right, they play nicely together when all cut up. I love the top now.
This really is a very pretty quilt. I am sure the pictures just do not do it justice. I think the border you chose to put around it, well, just makes it! Very pretty! :)
judy
It's a Home RUN! Love this! When do we see the pattern for this lovely! Love the Theme for it too! Glad you made it LONG Bonnie really give the border a chance to sing on its own! Can't wait to see the directions for this one!
that is beautiful and has gone into my picture collection of favourite quilts, you are such an inspiration to me - love jane/froogs
The border really makes the quilt. It is stunning! Thanks for sharing.
Oh my goodness. That's a lot of piecing! Just lovely. A few years back, a friend had that Paris fabric. She made it into placemats with a little red zinger for an accent. They were lovely for a bistro table : )
I must confess that at first I really did not like this quilt, but once you got the borders on... WOW! You've done it again. Thanks for the inspiration.
LisaB in GA
LOVE the quilt and the name! It amazes me at how you can take fabrics that wouldn't be my 1st choice, and turn them into something so beautiful. Way to ROCK it girl!!!
The quilt is just fabulous. I would never have thought flower fabric could be so beautiful in a quilt.
Alda, Fl
What a marvel you are!! You remind me of that song...W O M A N...you know you can bake a cake and stay up all night making a quilt...I'm sure we can work THAT in the song somehow!! You quilt is AMAZING!!
P
I wasn't too impressed when you started this quilt but I love it finished! The border is so cool and the backing is perfect. What a lovely quilt it has turned out to be! I am now thinking I might want to venture into making one! Thanks for your wonderful creativity and inspiration!
Arlene in So. Ca.
I love my Floribunda, Bonnie, but what you have done with that border knocked my socks off! (I am barefooted as I type!!) : )
You've always said no fabric is too ugly--doesn't this quilt prove it? I don't love big florals, either, but this quilt is a stunner!
But Bonnie, whats the final SIZE?? Inquiring minds ;)
Wanna come to my house and sort my scraps?? I'll do the cutting! Your sense of color is amazing!!
Looks fantastic!!! Congrats on the finish.
As mentioned earlier, questioned some of the yellows used - they looked like they were washed out. But love it now. How would the border look scalloped? Would the piano key part need to be longer? 2MOLIW2D (To Many On List I Want To Do). Thanks. from northern Iowa.
Only one word for it Bonnie - Stunning!!!
Hi Bonnie, you just keep on inspiring. Thank you. This has turned out way better than I imagined. You should be proud to display on your guest bed. Happy Floribunda!
Your quilt turned out beautiful!!! Have a great Monday!!
Oh my, stunning! The purple cast of the piano key border just sings on this yellow toned quilt! The pale yellow inner border & then the strong yellow checkered border moving out to the outside piano key border... Amazing! A great Easter quilt!
Just wish i could bottle your creativity & drink it down!
Bonnie, I knew you'd find the right project for the Paris fabric. You probably have enough for a second back since there was so much. I was a bit skeptical with the beginning of this quilt all the yellows just didn't seem to work...but then your intuition proved me wrong. The pattern is available as I remember, but maybe the pieced border is an update. The scalloped border is an interesting idea. You can have all my Mondays if I can have all your Fridays...deal? Sandi
That is beautiful! The yellow just pops!
That. Border. SPARKLES!
Bonnie, Love, love, love that quilt. Darn, now I want to make a Florabunda too. I don't think I have that many florals, but I can start collecting, right?? How do you make scrap quilts just sparkle so well. The border really does "make" the whole quilt. Just lovely. And a perfect name to a perfect quilt. You Rock!!!
This is gorgeous Bonnie! I have only 4 blocks made for my Florabunda and still cutting. Did you ever count how many strips you have for your borders? So many pieces in this quilt but I love it.
Gotta add my two cents...this is stunning! I love it and want to make one! The colors in the pic show off a lot of purple with the yellows and it looks charming and rich all at the same time.
Lovely work!
I absolutely adore your border, especially the corners.
Absolutely beautiful, I especially love the border and the corners! It is truly a work of art! Thanks so much for sharing so many beautiful quilts.
Just Beautiful Bonnie! Now I already knew you quilted your own quilts but I was just curious on how long on average it takes you to do a queen sized quilt?
Susan at saam109@yahoo.com
Beautiful quilt with a great summer feel to it. That backing is great and it's not every day someone gifts you with 10 yds. of fabric.
I love the pattern Bonnie- I also love florals... The border is so pretty just like a flower garden. Yellow is such a great color in a quilt. Thanks for sharing... Is this a pattern for your new book or in one of your other books?
Regards from Western Canada,
Anna
I LOVE April in Paris!!!! This is a nice and bright, happy quilt and will be great for the guest room!!!
and you? Do a One Block Wounder?? hmmmmm. maybe.... I think they are neat and I like to make them and that fabric would be fun for one but, I don't know...... Have you ever done one before?? ;-)
But yes, I will try to make you re-think the plan of doing a OBW - if I can!!!
Enjoy the Monday. Mondays are my favorite day of the week. After everyone is home for the weekend - and the place I worked was closed on Mondays - Mondays's just became 'my' day!! One where I could do anything I wanted and it was/is so nice!! (It doesn't happen much anymore where everyone is gone on a Monday!! Kids don't go to school like they used to!!!) Thanks for the inspiration Bonnie!! As always, I love to come visit here!!!
I really like the way you turned the corner with the borders. What a really pretty quilt this one turned out to be!!! You are such an inspiration Bonnie, please don't ever stop!
On another note, I also want to say THANK YOU for your tutorials -- the "On Point" section has saved my bacon as I fight to assemble a Block-of-the-month... I love how it is turning out but I may never do another quilt on point! Of course, if I had not decided I wanted to put piecing in the setting triangles I might have made it easier on myself......
Maria in Tucson
It is lovely Bonnie. Lucky the person or people who sleep under that quilt. VIBRANT!
Maryella
You have such a gift for designing quilts - I'm so glad you share it with all - I'm not as fast as you are, but I'll continue to get your books - God willing, I'll have my own "Bonnie Hunter Design Collection" of quilts some day! Just lovely!
What an amazing quilt! I love the pieced border. It looks great!
Really neat quilt! Gives me hope for some of those fabrics I chose that I thought I would like and they now are totally not what I care for. :) I spent Easter afternoon cutting out pieces for a baby quilt for a dear friend who is actually over due for her baby. Maybe this little one is waiting on me! I had better get moving!!!! :)
One word, Bonnie... STUNNING!! Love that border! Personally, I just love florals. Guess I am seriously in the minority for that. They make great watercolor type quilts as the design changes greatly from inch to inch. That backing fabric is just perfect for this quilt!! Any chance that you'll add the directions for the border to your tutorial?? Seriously, the border makes the whole quilt just shine! I think this needs to be added to my list... and quickly *grins*. Tracey in ME
I'm embarrassed to admit this, but I have just not been lovin' florabunda from the very beginning, but that border has just transformed it in my eyes--love it now! Which just goes to show that sometimes you have to wait until the end to really appreciate a quilt.
--Still too embarrassed to identify myself!!!
The border really makes this quilt spectacular!! Wow!! it's gorgeous.
That turned out to be a spectacular quilt, and the borders just really make it special. I love using up bits and pieces, too.
I'm so impressed. I remember you saying that if a fabric is ugly, just cut it into a smaller piece. The colors on this quilt are fabulous.
That is "April in Paris" and I'm singing along with it! Yes MAUVE is the new color of the week over at the 15 Minutes Play blog. I searched my stash and only found a tiny bit of mauve in a print. I have only been a serious fabric collector for about 10 years, so I missed the 80's mauve & dusty rose phase. Check out the blog if you want to see creative quilters working in their "deep stash".
Bonnie, what a wonderful quilt!! I love the border you came up with - it's just perfect Fantastic work as always!! :)
Bonnie--What a great quilt, the borders make it look exciting to look at and now us quilters brains will be overloaded with going be looking in their stash.
The border just makes the quilt! Love it!
Bonnie!
That quilt is wonderful and the backing is perfect! When I saw the title, I was thinking that you had purchased some Moda fabric. It is a pleasure to see there is a use for all of my floral fabrics from days gone by. Thank you for the inspiration. Again your "April in Paris" is BEAUTIFUL!
Pam
Hi Bonnie. I've been stalking your blog/website for a few months now, but have remained in the background as the small silent type. However Floribunda is hauling me out of my shell! jacob's Ladder is my all time favorite pattern, and now I'm coveting the border on your floribunda. Please, Please tell me as you have a pattern /directions for it somewhere in your website / blog / books. You see, I hate florals, and pinks, and pastels ... I'm really not a femininny kind of girl. But, one of my close quilty friends challenged me to make a quilt out of soft pastel florals (gag), and even went so far as to give me a gift of a layer cake bundle of perfectly horrid pastel-y florals. so, I stepped up to the challenge and made a lovely quilt, but have been stuck for the past year (yes, a year) wanting the perfect border. Well, your floribunda is it. so, please, please tell me that the pattern if out there somewhere that will help me wrap up this quilt. thanks so much for your inspiration ... I love getting lost in your patterns. thanks very much. Deb from Calgary. (PS - its taken me a couple of hours to figure out how to make this blog thing work .... Not very computer savvy ).
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