Rainbow Block Swap Flimsy

36 comments
Jane hosted a fabulous swap for rainbow blocks this past spring. I had the greatest people in my swap group and I love my 9 blocks. Thanks girls.
My flimsy is done and ready to take to my quilter. It turned out really cute. And really different from the way I originally imagined it.
I didn't want to use typical "rainbow" fabric so I was going to use black at least to sash it. Then when I looked around at fabric on my shelves and at the fabric stores I just couldn't picture the quilt put together with black. This is called "quilt stupor of thought" so I knew I was in the wrong direction.
I had this fabric that I haven't known what to do with. It is kind of strange fabric. It has the name Margaret written on it and it is Japanese. The designers sometimes have funny things written on some fabric that they think are super American and maybe the name Margaret seems American sounding? It is cute though. I put the Margaret fabric on my counter top and kept looking at it and then at my blocks from the swap (they just happened to be next to it). It occurred to me that the Margaret fabric actually had all the colors of all the blocks in the fabric.
My own block for the swap was orange so I decided to put it in the center of all the blocks and I used a Snippets fabric with orange dots that was burning a hole on my shelf. It just seemed right to use my orange block as the jumping off point for the whole quilt.
So here it is. It is kind of wild and colorful. But isn't that the point of a rainbow block swap quilt? Yep. I'm so glad I joined Jane and the girls in group 1. I can't wait to get it quilted. I will always call the quilt Margaret Jane.

-nanette
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36 comments

Dresden Quilter said...

Wow! It looks amazing and so original. I have never seen fabric like that. It will be great to see it when it is finished.

Unknown said...

You did an amazing job on the sashing choice. I love it how when you let the fabrics speak to each other, everyone gets along and play nice together.

Can not wait to see it finished!!

Nedra said...

Orange has been calling to me lately. Don't know why. I really love what you have done, and I think the name Margaret Jane is perfect for the quilt. I'm happy we get to be in Jane's next swap together!

libertythreads said...

What a great quilt and the Japanese fabric is just perfect! Please post again when it is finished.

Sherri said...

Yes, what is it about orange??? I love your quilt!

Anonymous said...

V. here...
The blocks are great together. I like the orange dots- makes me think I would like to try it. I have so many old BOM. Can't wait to see it all finished. love the photos. Vl.

MichelleB said...

So cute! Those fabrics are perfect for it! It brightens the whole thing up.

Betsy said...

Nanette I love how the Margaret fabric just tied it all together,
Great job!

Kim Walus said...

Very SWEET story. I loved it and the name of the quilt is perfect. I look forward to seeing it quilted and in person. I hope you bring it to quilt group this month. I wish I had more time for quilt swaps.

jen duncan said...

That Margaret fabric is awesome! At first I thought you'd actually pieced the border fabric! What a great use for it. Love the quilt and glad you had good swap partners. :-)

Thimbleanna said...

Can't wait to see Margaret Jane quilted up Nanette -- I love how you've treated her blocks!

Trisha said...

Cute setting. I love the border!!

Di~ said...

I really really really really really like it! The sashing is perfect, even tho' we quite often look to using darker sashings. Good job!

rachel griffith said...

oh i can't wait to see a full picture of this quilt.
i still haven't pieced mine, because i can't figure it out perfectly in my head.
i'm LOVING yours though.

Elaine/Muddling Through said...

How funny! I've seen some of the strangely translated webpages and always laugh. You'll always get a little chuckle when you see it, won't you? That's why we quilt, isn't it - to have these tangible reminders!

Rumi said...

Lovely job! I am inspired to start putting my rainbow swap blocks together. I'm sure every swapper's quilt will be very different. How exciting to see what everyone else thinks up for their blocks!

Mel said...

You are right, the Margret fabric is perfect for the rainbow blocks!

The name of the quilt is also perfect, Margaret Jane!

Barb said...

Wow, looks amazing! What a creative way to set those blocks. Mine are still sitting on my sewing table...thanks for the inspiration!

erica e said...

ha! quilting stupor of thought! yep, i've been there and know what you are talking about! :)
this looks great though! i love the orange sashing.

Candace said...

I sure love the way you can make fabrics work together, Nanette! From you I'm learning to think twice before passing up fabric that might have unique and clever uses! Thanks again for more inspiration!
Cheers!

Laura said...

I love the orange, especially the orange dots!

Jane's Fabrics and Quilts said...

You see I was leaning towards balck too, but Wow, oh Wow does it look great and my youngest daughters name is Margaret, why did I know think of that, it turned out outstanding, I just love it!! I am so glad I received one of you blocks, after seeing yours, I may have to change my plan!!!

alobsiger said...

The Margaret fabric is perfect with your rainbow blocks and looks so nice with the orange Snippets dots! Perfect choices, if you ask me!

Eileen said...

This is so perfect. And I love how you got the name.. so very very clever! That orange polka dots is my favorite of the snippets collection.. I so get it about burning a hole on your shelf! It is the perfect choice to pull everything together. :-)

Kim said...

very cute and colorful indeed

dotti white said...

This is amazingly beautiful! Thank you so much for sharing and have a wonderful week!

Pat said...

You always know just the right thing to do with blocks to turn them into a fabulous quilt!

strawberrycream39 said...

Nanette, it's gorgeous! I love all the orange. That Japanese fabric looks great!

Nan said...

You have the most wonderful eye for putting fabrics together! This is wonderful, Nanette! I love the orange sashing and the orange dotted fabric - it makes the entire quilt sing! I can't wait to see it quilted.

Unknown said...

I would have never thought to use those fabrics or colors with the blocks, but they are wonderful! What a great eye you have. I most likely would have chosen black or white as my main fabric. Well, this is why I love blogging, so many great ideas that make you stand back and think!

Busy Little Quilter said...

It's beautiful! I agree that the orange dots are perfect and the border fabric is, too.

Kaaren said...

Who woulda thunk?

I've been staring at my rainbow blocks but they hadn't started talking to me til I just read your post, Nanette. Okay, I'm on track now and I have a vision...now I just have to 'make' the time.

Thanks again for the inspiration. Whenever I need some, I just click on 'Freda's Hive' and it's bound to happen.

Carrie P. said...

Love it. Perfect name too.

jacquie said...

love the sashing choice! the blocks are great too. can't wait to see it quilted.

Cathi said...

I love it!! So colourful and cheerful! I'd love to see a shot of the whole top!

Truffle queen said...

Hi!

MARGARET! It was my mom's name and is the middle name of my youngest daughter! Love the quilt! One of these days I'm going to see about setting my squares! Thanks for your beautiful block! If I keep getting into more swaps, the day may never come! lol Take care! PS - Jane and I have the same middle name - Elizabeth! lol