Friday, January 7, 2011

Brown Bag Needs a Name

Well I won the battle and finished the quilt.  I think the problem was being caused by a poorly wound bobbin.  As soon as I changed it out things started going much smoother.  So now I am finished with my Brown Bag Quilt, which subsequently needs a name . . . Any ideas, I am drawing a blank.

Just as a review, the Brown Bag Quilt challenge was created at Stash Manicure.  Each participant was paired up with a partner and sent them 2 yards of fabric that they no longer felt they would use.  I received 4 1/2 yard cuts (the green print on the back, the medallion print, the burgundy corner print, and the white with polka-dot print.)  The challenge was then to design a quilt using at least 90% of the material received and adding to it material that you already had in your stash.  You were not allowed to buy anything for this project.  It was a super fun challenge, especially designing with such specific requirements.

So here is my result for the Brown Bag Quilt Challenge.


I tried some new quilting.  On the sashing and first block border I did swirls.   I saw this swirl pattern over at Natalia's blog on her I'm Blushing quilt and have loved it ever since.  I kept wanting to try it but it takes a little getting used to and I was worried about having to sew over a line already sewn.  In the end, I figured this was a Brown Bag Contest aka Ugly Quilt Contest so if I messed it up it would be alright :)  And I have to say, by the end of the quilt, I had it pretty much down. (Which I hope I can say after at least 200 of them :)


I also did a little curly vine-ish motif in the center block and in the second border.  I thought it went well with the swirls but added some variety.  It was super fun, I think I will be doing it again soon :)  Don't you just love that medallion fabric!!


And here is another shot of the back in all of its super snuggly "I have just been washed and dried" glory.  I am so happy with how this turned out.  I can't wait for another challenge like this to come up again :)



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24 comments:

  1. Very nice. I like the colors. I'm also in the Brown Bag Quilt Contest, but I haven't done anything. I guess it's time I get busy :) Aren't we supposed to post the pics of our finished quilts on flickr? I've checked the group on the flickr and there is only 1 person in it. I've also tried to find the post from Stash Manicure when they first introduced this contest in Aug. and it no longer exists. Not sure what's going on, or if they are still doing the contest. Have you heard anything?

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  2. Wow I really like what you've done! What a neat challenge. The quilting is great and I think it fits the quilt quite well. Swirls are hard to get to stay a uniform size but your swirls look awesome!

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  3. Wow. If that's an "ugly quilt" contest, all I can say is bring on more ugly quilts!

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  4. I love it ! I dont know how you can even use the word "ugly" when talking about this quilt. Love the colors too. Great Job!
    Name....how about "Hop Scotch" because it reminds me of the hop scotch pattern we used to play on as kids?

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  5. It's beautiful! I love the swirls. For some reason it makes me think of gingerbread, but that could be because I made gingerbread cookies with my kids this morning =)

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  6. When I first saw your quilt the name "time out " came to mind because of the white corners on your blocks. Your quilting looks perfect and the quilt is not ugly at all!

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  7. Well I have to say that "ugly" must have a new definition! 'Cause this quilt is anything but. Super great job on the quilting too. Name....hmmm how about "moon pie"? The brown and white kinda make me hungry. :)

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  8. I think it is gorgeous.

    The name "Blush of love" comes to my head.

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  9. Beautiful quilt. I think a good name for it would be Neapolitan after the ice cream that has chocolate, strawberry and vanilla all in one container.

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  10. Pretty, and what a fun challenge! Your quilting looks fantastic!

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  11. great job! You are very talented...to come up with an entire quilt out of fabric you did not choose for yourself....that is amazing!

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  12. I like your BBQ! I have been thinking about my own more and more anxiously...

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  13. Again, I love it!! I am sad that this contest fizzled out but I understand why. I had fun making my quilt. When I look at your quilt I think of Valentine's Day or love or something like that. I hope that helps.

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  14. Hi!
    What about cslling it Pretty in Pink?
    Sounds familiar, but it fits your quilt
    I got a brain wave, got a start on my Brown Bag quilt. I think the point is someone's trash may be anlother person's treasures!
    I think you've got a real treasure there!
    Take care, Leslie

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  15. Great quilt! No way can that be called an ugly quilt!

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  16. Oh, I like the suggestion of HopScotch - so fitting. You did a fantastic job and it looks wonderful.

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  17. This is so gorgeous! It made me think of cinnamon rolls for some odd reason. Or maybe just cinnamon. Or the hearthstones that were by the fireplace in my parents' home when I was growing up. Anyway, great job!

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  18. Well, Melissa, if the goal was to have an "ugly Quilt" then you must have lost. This is beautiful. I love the swirl quilting.

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  19. Melissa, your brown bag challenge quilt turned out great! Love the quilting you did as well.

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  20. Your swirl quilting turned out great! It sounds like a fun challenge!!!

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  21. I love it! The colors remind me of the classic Civil War pink and browns. The block you chose compliments the square print very well!

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  22. Your quilting is beautiful. I need to learn how to free arm quilt.

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  23. Wow - the quilt turned out beautiful, I love it alot. Awesome job on the quilting!

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Thank you so much for your sweet comments. I just love hearing from you!!
Have a Happy Quilting Day :)

Melissa