Solids or Prints? Yes, Please!

My main focus recently has been getting ready for quilt market in May. It is a sewing industry trade show for fabric people, designers, and publishers plus other sewing folks to show off their new products to wholesale buyers. I am going for the first time as an exhibitor! I have a little booth to plan and prepare, which is more than a little daunting. I hope it gives me a chance to show my patterns to lots of quilt shop owners.

BUT…in between all the good work, I still need a little sewing time! This week I started my project for the RJR fabrics What Shade are You series. I feel pretty lucky to be part of this…I got to choose a palette of colors from their Cotton Supreme Solids collection and make whatever I want! That’s a small selection of my colors in the photo up top.

Now, I like working with solids. I use them all the time in my quilts (Polka Dot Bikini, above). But I have never made a quilt with only solids. So here I go. For those who know me, you might think this is going to be hard. After all, I love prints and I love scrappy quilts, so usually my quilts showcase a large variety of pattern and print and color. This will be a fun challenge for me though…and I love the design I have planned for my solids.

Here is one thing I have discovered about solids: they are not at all forgiving. Every little mismatched seam shows up. I love how sharp solids look in a graphic patchwork design, but you definitely have to bring your A game when it comes to piecing.

So, as I make my preparations for quilt Market, my little colorful solids quilt will be my “for fun” sewing. I am excited to show you all the new things I have planned for this spring: exciting new patterns in time for Market and a brand new series of curved piecing designs (like the one above!).

Wish me luck to get all things on my to-do list checked off!

Have a great weekend!

Sharon