Sunday, May 20, 2012

Has this ever happened to you??

It's done, but it was quite a shock.
Front: the 2 grays are rather obvious
Backstory: I rarely use a purchased pattern when I make a quilt. I also rarely sketch out my "ideas" on paper. They exist in a fluid state in my head, which if you've read any of my blog posts, know, this often gets me into trouble. So, sometimes (OK often), I run out of material when I'm making a quilt. Especially if it's used in greater quantities.
Case in point: a birthday quilt for my sister-in-law.  She picked the colors and I was happily piecing away, when I realized that I would not have enough of the solid "background" color, Kona coal. So I ordered some more. (From the same vendor I ALWAYS buy my Kona solids). I finished the quilt and to my initial surprise (horror, shock), the grays are not the same.

2 grays side by side
wavy quilting
Resolution: I brought the quilt to my FRMQG meeting this month and asked if this had ever happened to anyone. People had heard of it happening, just not to any of them.
Acceptance: I'm thinking the more I look at it, the more I'm OK with the 2 different grays. I'm counting it as one of those "happy" accidents.
Sharing: I'm linking up with the Blogger's Quilt Festival at Amy's Creative Side. Who knows, perhaps this is more common that I thought.

Amy's Creative Side

Stats:
Robin's Birthday Quilt
Font

Back

68 x 60"
various quilting cottons in hues of purple and blue, improvisational pieced, front and back
background: Kona coal, 2 tone
thread: variegated 100% long staple cotton (top and bobbin)
quilting; wavy, random lines
original design, pieced, quilted

25 comments:

  1. this has happened to me, twice. Once with brown and once with grey. Both times I chalked it up to a happy accident. I think it give movement to an otherwise flat background.
    Your quilt is lovely, I am really digging improv right now and the shapes you've created are wonderful! The quilting is quite nice too! Well done your sis will love it!

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  2. Your process sounds so much like mine I had to laugh....I now realize why I buy fabrics in the huge quantities that I do.The cut first and ask questions later thing can lead one in many strange and wonderful directions. Your quilt is so fabulous I love it. I really think the two tones of grey add depth and interest. I love love this quilt.

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  3. two shades of gray looks good.

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  4. I like the two tone grey. It gives it some character and interest. Lovely!

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  5. I didn't know that could happen, but I have to say I really like the effect. If you hadn't said it was an "accident" I would have thought you did it on purpose.

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  6. I think the two shades are an awesome design feature. Adds to the interest of the quilt which is lovely.

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  7. That is strange when that happens, but sometimes it can add to the look of the quilt. It adds an interesting look =D

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  8. It's a very cool quilt - I knew that the colour can differ from bolt to bolt but have never experienced it, probably as I use Kona white ;-)

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  9. I would have thought you had mixed the two shades of gray on purpose. It looks great! Wonderful quilt!

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  10. It looks perfectly at home in the improvy quilt :o)

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  11. It is wonderful, looks like you planned it. In fact I think it adds a whole new modern element to the quilt. I have had this happen, but seldomly with Kona as they seem to have pretty consistent dyes and processes. In knitting you buy all your yarn from the same dye lot as little changes in the dying process can effect the colour even of the same yarn using the same dye mix and a small variation in colour can just enough to show. In fabric we pay less attention as the idea is that you would buy enough from the bolt so that it is never normally an issue to think of but it is the same with any dying process.

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  12. It has happened to me, too, but it added so much texture to the finished product - definitely a happy accident. Gorgeous.

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  13. I think it looks great!! I love it!!

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  14. This is a common occurrence and dye lots are never the same, but you can be assured it is a beautiful quilt and the difference in greys only makes the quilt more interesting.

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  15. Some of the best quilts come out of "happy accidents." It looks great, really does add interest (though I would probably initially freak out at that kind of happy accident, good reminder for me to just go with it sometimes).

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  16. It's such an interesting design that I think the different tones of grey look completely planned. I love it.

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  17. Although I love the way this quilt turned out, it looks as if you 'planned' the two tone, I would e-mail or call Robert Kaufman or the place you placed your order to find out why this occurred. What if the next time it doesn't turn out as well?

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  18. It looks like you did it on purpose as part of the design. It looks perfect. Flows well with the layout of the quilt. Adds dimension. I'm sure Robin will love it!

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  19. Love it! I never would have known you didn't do the two grays on purpose. Looks great!

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  20. Yes, exactly the same thing happened to me with Kona Coal. But on your quilt it looks great - as if you planned it. Lovely quilting too :)

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  21. I think it looks beautiful! No one would even know it was a mistake if you wouldn't have said anything. I'm sure she will love it!

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  22. I have had it happen with white, of all colors I never expected it with white. I actually like the look of the two different coals. It is a great quilt.

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  23. I really REALLY love this, Stephanie. Everything you do is so aesthetically pleasing and well thought out. Bravo!

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  24. I think it looks great, it adds a lot of depth even though it wasn't intentional!

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  25. I agree. The 2 tones only add richness, subtlety, and interest. Be prepared for this possibility whenever you get fabrics from more than one bolt. Don't hesitate to use it to your advantage-on purpose next time!

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