Deco Bloom no. 1

a not completely perfect test block

Thanks so much for your encouragement with my Deco Bloom quilt design! Although the colorful fabric groupings that I originally created for this quilt aren’t right for my new attic bedroom, I may sew a second throw-sized version to bring those fabrics to life! Somehow that seems like the only responsible choice ;) I mean, those fabric groupings deserve it, right?

But first, a bed quilt.

As a refresher, this is what my new attic bedroom looks like at our new home. Aart and I plan to place our bed in the same position, to keep the blue ceiling and to add this wallpaper at least to the wall behind that dresser.

The basis mood has a soft, vintage vibe. We’ve decided to add teal and charcoal via the bed quilt in order to insert some elegance and drama into the space.

Here are my fabrics ideas! It’s going to be a big quilt, so I ordered a whole bolt of Kona Teal from German quilt boutique, KleinKariert. That Kismet Kantha in Charcoal is a longtime fav. Luckily I found it still in stock at Winter Creek Cloth.

My concept: quilt blocks in consistent, repeating fabrics to keep things calm and elegant. The main fabrics are Kona teal and Kismet Kantha, with touches of white, cream and mauve fabrics as suits.

I have been working on the test block for weeks because it’s quite a complicated design. At first I tried to avoid foundation paper piecing, but eventually I gave in because paper piecing is simpler than the alternative.

I always knew that the small center petals and circles would be appliquéd, but I underestimated what a challenge it would be to get the petals scaled just so and to choose a construction method that yields pretty curved petals without taking oodles of time.

Phew!

Today I hand-stitched the applique layers on my very first test block. Even now I’m still wondering about cutting away the under layers of fabric. Traditionally that’s done to keep the patchwork from becoming heavy, but I am afraid that you will see the teal seam allowances through the mauve petals if I cut away that teal under layer. Hmm…

Well nevertheless, here is my first Deco Bloom block! I think it’s gorgeous, though not exactly what I had in mind. Test block number two is now in progress to further refine the design.