Hot Summer Colors

Whew! A busy week here in the studio. There were lots of great rainy and gray days to take advantage of. But this weekend has been mostly sunny and Greg is out sprucing up the yard for the holiday celebrations. Every time I look outside there seems to be more flowers than before, like these mossroses, which are a yearly tradition.

My favorite hot color combination of red and yellow seemed to be the theme for the week. First, my wonderful helper, Susan, came over to dig through my major stash of vintage Sassaman fabrics because she had a project in mind.

A few days later she called to say she was coming over with a "very colorful surprise". Holy cow!!! This is a Vogue pattern by well known designer, Koos van der Akker. I first became aware of his wonderful couture clothing from the Dragon Threads book, Koos: Couture & Collage by Linda Teufel. He loves to mix fabric prints in unexpected combinations and his clothing designs are always opulent and exciting.

All of these fabrics are from Jane's Floral Fantasy, a line I did for FreeSpirit around 2004. You may have some of it in your stash, too. Susan has arranged them in a masterful
composition. I really like how the blue is carried throughout and adds a lively contrast to the red and gold. Notice, too, that the lily print is repeated for continuity.

This is a three piece ensemble... harem skirt, cowl blouse and cummerbund belt. The skirt is actually reversible and continues on up inside and given a little twist to create the full ballooned edge. Clever!

The blouse has a cool cowl neckline and gathered shoulders. It is lined with very sheer, almost see-through, fabric to help it hold it's shape.

The belt is really interesting, as it is made of strips of fabric sewn in diagonal rows and then into a tube. Then the tube is folded like a paper fan and stitched at both ends. I wish I'd thought of that!

But, oh, such a perfect outfit for a garden party. I can just imagine Doris Day wearing this with red hi-heels. Perhaps we should name our mannequin Doris, as she has the most fun in the studio.

It seems that red and yellow was the theme in Melissa Peda's San Diego studio this week, too.
Here is a fabulous baby blanket made with my current FreeSpirit line, Garden Divas. I appreciate that someone else shares my colorful infatuation! This checker board quilt of 6 inch squares is very basic quilt construction, but the results are extraordinary. The checks are made from the Daisy Check fabric and the Zinnia fabric, both from the Exotic colorway. I find the simple repeat very satisfying and love the electricity created by the blue border. And that little bit of red iris blends the body and border together beautifully. As always, Melissa, thanks for sharing your vision with us!! Lucky baby!

It is uncanny how often Melissa and I are on the same fabric tangent! This is one of my projects this week using some of the exact same Garden Diva fabrics. I have to admit to really liking the Zinnia fabric with the red background, even if I did design it. Sometimes a mother has favorites. So here it is in an ocean waves quilt.

I started with a 10"(finished) zinnia medallion and then made blocks with 10" half square triangles. The blocks are made using three fabrics... Willow Wands (pastel), Lively Silhouette (blush) and Picnic Checks from the Prairie Gothic line. They are arranged to create the illusion of transparency by alternating pink and red blocks. The border repeats the Zinnia fabric again. I think the overall look is kind of old fashioned farm house... comforting, fresh and summery.

The back, however, is another story. But it is still keeping with this weeks color theme. I always like to do interesting backs so I get two quilts in one. I try to coordinate colors and attitude. I just could not resist
this fabric combination. Again, it is from my stash of treasured fabrics and it turned into a lively piece. It reminds me of circus posters, summer days, pedal-pushers, red PF Fliers and bikes with handle fringe.
In fact, like the 4th of July! Have a great holiday!