>>>>

Monday, April 09, 2012

Florabunda Flimsy ---It’s DONE!

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!

florabunda 023

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.

florabunda 024

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.

florabunda 027

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!

florabunda 028

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:

florabunda 026

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:

  1. 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

    ReplyDelete
  2. 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.

    ReplyDelete
  3. 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!

    ReplyDelete
  4. 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...

    ReplyDelete
  5. Beautiful.... absolutely beautiful, Bonnie! The border is stunning... and the backing is perfect for April in Paris!

    ReplyDelete
  6. The border has transformed the quilt from "a very nice quilt" to "absolutely breathtaking.". WOW!! Keep it coming, Bonnie!

    ReplyDelete
  7. 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!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Fantastic Bonnie - really loving it.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Anonymous9:23 AM EDT

    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

    ReplyDelete
  10. Anonymous9:25 AM EDT

    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!

    ReplyDelete
  11. 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

    ReplyDelete
  12. Wonderful quilt Bonnie! Love the border treatment - it just sets it off!!!

    ReplyDelete
  13. 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.

    ReplyDelete
  14. 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

    ReplyDelete
  15. 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!

    ReplyDelete
  16. that is beautiful and has gone into my picture collection of favourite quilts, you are such an inspiration to me - love jane/froogs

    ReplyDelete
  17. Sara in NE9:42 AM EDT

    The border really makes the quilt. It is stunning! Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  18. 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 : )

    ReplyDelete
  19. Anonymous9:50 AM EDT

    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

    ReplyDelete
  20. Debra Lamb9:51 AM EDT

    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!!!

    ReplyDelete
  21. The quilt is just fabulous. I would never have thought flower fabric could be so beautiful in a quilt.
    Alda, Fl

    ReplyDelete
  22. 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

    ReplyDelete
  23. 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.

    ReplyDelete
  24. 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!

    ReplyDelete
  25. But Bonnie, whats the final SIZE?? Inquiring minds ;)

    ReplyDelete
  26. Wanna come to my house and sort my scraps?? I'll do the cutting! Your sense of color is amazing!!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Looks fantastic!!! Congrats on the finish.

    ReplyDelete
  28. 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.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Only one word for it Bonnie - Stunning!!!

    ReplyDelete
  30. 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!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Anonymous10:49 AM EDT

    Your quilt turned out beautiful!!! Have a great Monday!!

    ReplyDelete
  32. 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!

    ReplyDelete
  33. 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

    ReplyDelete
  34. That is beautiful! The yellow just pops!

    ReplyDelete
  35. That. Border. SPARKLES!

    ReplyDelete
  36. 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!!!

    ReplyDelete
  37. 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.

    ReplyDelete
  38. 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!

    ReplyDelete
  39. I absolutely adore your border, especially the corners.

    ReplyDelete
  40. 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.

    ReplyDelete
  41. Anonymous12:47 PM EDT

    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

    ReplyDelete
  42. 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.

    ReplyDelete
  43. 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

    ReplyDelete
  44. 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!!!

    ReplyDelete
  45. Anonymous4:53 PM EDT

    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

    ReplyDelete
  46. Anonymous5:59 PM EDT

    It is lovely Bonnie. Lucky the person or people who sleep under that quilt. VIBRANT!
    Maryella

    ReplyDelete
  47. Anonymous6:08 PM EDT

    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!

    ReplyDelete
  48. What an amazing quilt! I love the pieced border. It looks great!

    ReplyDelete
  49. 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!!!! :)

    ReplyDelete
  50. 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

    ReplyDelete
  51. Anonymous9:14 PM EDT

    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!!!

    ReplyDelete
  52. The border really makes this quilt spectacular!! Wow!! it's gorgeous.

    ReplyDelete
  53. That turned out to be a spectacular quilt, and the borders just really make it special. I love using up bits and pieces, too.

    ReplyDelete
  54. 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.

    ReplyDelete
  55. 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".

    ReplyDelete
  56. Bonnie, what a wonderful quilt!! I love the border you came up with - it's just perfect Fantastic work as always!! :)

    ReplyDelete
  57. joyce happy scrapper9:22 AM EDT

    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.

    ReplyDelete
  58. The border just makes the quilt! Love it!

    ReplyDelete
  59. 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

    ReplyDelete
  60. 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 ).

    ReplyDelete

If you are commenting as "anonymous" please leave your name at the end of your comment.

Did you know that ad space on this blog provides for all of the free patterns and free mysteries and challenges at no cost to you? Without ads, this blog would not be possible.

Thank you for understanding the many hours that go into this blog 6 days a week, 52 weeks a year. :)