Heading towards the finish line with this piece for
the AHIQ first invitational.
There is a background story to this small quilt regarding my choice of colour
and of design, stick with me please for a moment whilst I explain.
Two books influenced both of the above,
one by M M Kaye and the one below bought in 2013, this is by
the author of Wild Swans.
Note the colours Cixi wears, we have yellow, red and touches of green
in her magnificent robe. What about the fantastical head wear and those two long
finger nail accessories!
The idea for splitting the original oblong pieces of fabric came from the book by
M M Kaye in her autobiography. She spent some time
in China in the very early 20th century and
describes the house in Peking where they stayed which
had belonged at one time,
so she thinks, to a member of the Imperial Family. She tells us that the door of the Spirit Gate
was green lacquer, the uprights and roof ends were lacquer red and the tiles
were Imperial Yellow.
I just had to use these three colours and needed to try
and find a way of creating the effect of Yellow tiles.
You won't see perfect matching seams as some of these pieces were
cut freehand, it is my take on Ad Hoc Improv!
I have lots of left-overs
perhaps these could become something else set this way
AHIQ is hosted by
Kaja and Ann
and I'm linking up with them now.
Linda and Julie
are hosting
Sew, Stitch, Snap, SHARE
and I'm linking up here also.
'Til next time - happy quilting!
Maureen
Kaja and Ann
and I'm linking up with them now.
Linda and Julie
are hosting
Sew, Stitch, Snap, SHARE
and I'm linking up here also.
'Til next time - happy quilting!
Maureen
That's spectacular Maureen, love the colours and the back story. Thank you for sharing your journey with thus piece. I'm looking firward to seeing what you do with the scraps.
ReplyDeleteI've been to look at the other quilts in the challenge. Yours is the way out best. Your colour choices just superb. And now I have to track down that book. I love reading books set in China.
ReplyDeleteNot only have you made a stunning quilt, but you found the perfect use for improv. It looks better free flowing (versus precisely cut and pieced).
ReplyDeleteYour quilt takes my breath away. Absolutely stunning.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Sue - I can't email you as you're showing as a noreplycomment-blogger which is a feature with Google+.
DeleteOh I've read all M.M. Kaye's novels--loved them! Your piece showcases those colors beautifully..it is beautiful..hugs, Julierose
ReplyDeleteI love your reds, yellows and greens together. The leftovers will be fun to play with too.
ReplyDeleteThese blocks are amazing!
ReplyDeleteIt is so beautiful, Maureen. I love those colours, and you've really allowed the prints to shine. Great job!
ReplyDeleteI love that you've been inspired by a book like this! Your quilt is gorgeous. Thanks for sharing the backstory.
ReplyDeleteFabulous idea of a different variation on Chinese Coins. Lovely vibrant colours.
ReplyDeleteI love the stories behind the colours and making of this quilt. Especially love your improv piece.
ReplyDeleteThis is a lovely colour combination. Very striking.
ReplyDeleteSuch a wonderful story to your piece of improv, very inspiring! Love the colours! Thanks for linking up to 'sew stitch snap SHARE'
ReplyDeleteBeautiful colors, Maureen. Interesting inspiration story.
ReplyDeleteI wonder what the Chinese themselves would say about that title?
Launching 'Modern China' sounds like a full plate, :) .
Cherry and bright.......lovely!
ReplyDeleteChinese Coins with a Chinese influence. WOW!!!! I keep scrolling back up so I can look at it over and over again. Congrats on this stunning piece.
ReplyDeletesuch a fun inspiration!
ReplyDeleteYour choice of fabrics and shapes works very well. Claire aka knitnkwilt
ReplyDeleteGorgeous quilt and such great background on your inspiration. I freehand cut some long triangles recently, too, and loved the effect. But yours is even better with the large scale, sophisticated prints you chose. At times it looks like it was pleated, turned in places and sewed. (Like Carol Bryer Fallert used to make.)
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to see what you make of the "leftovers."
Thanks for sharing this beauty and the story behind it's construction and inspiration and especially for linking with #AHIQChineseCoins.
I like the story of your inspiration and the colour scheme it gave you. As for your quilt - it's gorgeous. I love the rectangles made of long triangles and the way you have set them to get the secondary pattern. Fantastic!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful interpretation of the gate. It's like looking at it through a prism, sparkling like jewels. A
ReplyDeleteKnowing the backstory of your inspiration and color choices makes your quilt just that much more intriguing. And those leftovers--do I see the beginnings of the next challenge?
ReplyDeleteYou have achieved a beutiful result Maureen. I love the balance and dynamic of the piece. Your connection to the traditional colour theory of Chinese design is interesting. I enjoyed reading "Wild Swans" too; it's an amazing (auto)biography of three generations of chinese women through the twentieth century.
ReplyDeleteThose colors just glow! It's a beautiful pattern. Thanks for sharing the inspiration for the theme. I'm always curious about how other quilters decide on their color palettes.
ReplyDeleteEvidently I have been in a freaking fog for the past four years....How did I miss this??? Pls forgive...Love your work
ReplyDelete