Thursday, December 8, 2011

Rocky Roads

Just last night, I was drooling over this "Rocky Road to Kansas" quilt, made in 1930, pictured in Gwen Marston's Liberated String Quilts book.



This book is one of my absolute favorites, for the amazing collection of old string quilts shown.


Grey shot cotton

Some months ago, I made about 150 kite shaped "string" pieces with Victoria's 15 minutes play method.  I was going to use them in a spider web quilt, but then changed my mind.  Ah-hah!  I could use them for a "Rocky Road to Kansas"quilt!  I looked up instructions for the block before I went to bed last night.  

This morning, I woke up to a beautiful "Rocky Road to Kansas" block on the NYC Metro Mod Quilter's blog!  Hmm.  Something must be in the air.   THEN, Nadia at Multicolored Pieces wrote about the "rocky road ahead" in Tunisia.

OK, I got it!  It's time to start this quilt!

They say, "Great minds think alike."  So I'd like some help choosing the setting fabric from your great minds.  Here are several auditions, none that I'm really thrilled with.  Any thoughts on these or other directions would be welcome.  Thank you!!

Kona "Cinnamon"

Olivey Shot Cotton

Vintage Turquoise

Kaffe Fasset Red Chard (generously gifted by Mary K.)

A Kona Green, not sure of the name.

Kaffe Fasset disappearing act






at

47 comments:

  1. LeeannDecember 8, 2011 at 9:36 PM

    I liked the grey shot and the kona green. I think you need a plain to have somewhere to rest, and to show off the strings too.

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousDecember 8, 2011 at 9:43 PM

    I like the vintage turquoise.

    ReplyDelete
  3. JanetDecember 8, 2011 at 10:27 PM

    You had a lot of signs that the quilt needed to be made. I love, love Gwen's book too. My favourite is the Kona green but there are others that look great too.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Ailsa (Cape Pincushion)December 8, 2011 at 10:44 PM

    I like the grey shot cotton, it really makes the colours pop! I also like the vintage turquoise, its very cheerful!

    ReplyDelete
  5. RachaeldaisyDecember 8, 2011 at 10:48 PM

    I love seeing all those options, but my favourite is the vintage turquoise, there's something about that combo that makes me want to snuggle up in it and read a book on a rainy day. The kona green makes the colours snap crackle and pop which is great too!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Julie FukudaDecember 8, 2011 at 11:42 PM

    I think the prints are a bit busy but the plains go quite well. Yep, that quilt is calling you.

    ReplyDelete
  7. antique quilterDecember 9, 2011 at 12:20 AM

    ok this is just so funny, I have this quilt book out on my table and wanted to make this quilt too! I have two big baskets full of scraps and started to make my own fabric and then will cut the kites from them (along with petal shapes for you know what quilt :) ) and here I wake up and your working on this quilt....
    I am so tempted to say the red that was gifted from mary, lucky you!!!! since we both love red, but the last one kaffe fasssets disappearing act fabric makes the fabrics pop but still has the "nifty" look to it!
    hmmmm I am still thinking that red would just be a fun background and that some of the kites will just blend into the fabric is not a problem to me...
    Kathie

    ReplyDelete
  8. MulticoloredPiecesDecember 9, 2011 at 12:24 AM

    Hi, LeeAnn. Thanks for mentioning my post. I wish I had illustrated it with a "Rocky Road to Kansas" but I didn't have any on hand. Anyway, if you want to emphasize the string blocks, the gray or a darker gray seems to me a possibility. Have you considered black or a black print?
    best, nadia

    ReplyDelete
  9. SharonDecember 9, 2011 at 12:29 AM

    Since you're asking, I'll give my opinion too. I love that vintage turquoise! That would be great - would really give the look of some of those vintage string quilts. However, I think my 2nd choice would be the cinnamon. I think I like it best of all the "plains".
    Happy quilting!

    ReplyDelete
  10. ClareDecember 9, 2011 at 2:03 AM

    That book is my all time fav too.

    Kona Green or the Cinnamon because I think you need a solid background to show off the strings. Otherwise it will all be too busy.

    I've been thinking what to do with all my scraps. I think I might just start one too.

    ReplyDelete
  11. StaceyDecember 9, 2011 at 2:21 AM

    I think I will vote for the kona green! Nice work!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Sujata ShahDecember 9, 2011 at 4:34 AM

    Turquoise! Turquoise!! Turquoise!!!
    Can you hear me chanting!
    Love this quilt. Thanks for this gorgeous inspiration!

    ReplyDelete
  13. VivianDecember 9, 2011 at 4:58 AM

    Good luck choosing! Every single one of those backgrounds look good to me for different reasons. My choice would depend on where I was going to display it.

    That's going to be be one heckuva quilt! Have fun!

    ReplyDelete
  14. BarbDecember 9, 2011 at 5:24 AM

    I have always liked the RR block, these scrappy ones are wonderful.
    I am in a solid phase, so really like the solid choices for the background.

    ReplyDelete
  15. HelenDecember 9, 2011 at 6:21 AM

    Not so easy to pick just one favorite, but I like the secondary design that pops out of the Kona Green....strong graphic.

    ReplyDelete
  16. BrendaDecember 9, 2011 at 6:24 AM

    I love that string quilt book too! I vote for the vintage turquoise. it suits the scrappy kites. good luck choosing, since I see all of us commenters have different opinions.

    ReplyDelete
  17. AlexisDecember 9, 2011 at 6:37 AM

    Such kismet! I LOVE the vintage turquoise- what a happy and wonderful combo. The olive is a distant second for me. Have fun sewing!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Tonya RicucciDecember 9, 2011 at 6:46 AM

    another vote for that as an absolute favorite book. I have to admit, none of the auditions sings to me. what about a solid true red???

    ReplyDelete
  19. ChrisDecember 9, 2011 at 7:07 AM

    I love picking fabrics! Of your choices, my faves would be the two prints - first the caramel one, then the turquoise. Then did a quick search of images, and found one with solid orange setting fabric, and solid gray sashing, that was fab! It was on barbara brackman's blog, fyi. Whatever you choose, I know it will be nifty! :)

    ReplyDelete
  20. AnonymousDecember 9, 2011 at 8:29 AM

    I'm in the Tonya Ricucci camp - Moda has a good red solid, I believe it's called "country red". Love the strings.

    ReplyDelete
  21. KimDecember 9, 2011 at 8:46 AM

    Okay, Tonya beat me to it, that is exactly what came to me RED!
    ...and you don't have to use just one red ... use your red scraps just not busy ones :0).

    This is gonna be a beauty!

    Happy Sewing

    ReplyDelete
  22. Miki WillaDecember 9, 2011 at 9:14 AM

    I really like the two red backgrounds. They are so cheery. This is going to be a wonderful quilt. Can't wait to see it.

    ReplyDelete
  23. SharonDecember 9, 2011 at 9:48 AM

    I'm thinking RED. I'll have to follow your story a bit closer with all the others making this block. Looks like a fun quilt.

    ReplyDelete
  24. BuffyDecember 9, 2011 at 10:59 AM

    Immediate reaction: needs bright red. The vintage turquoise is pretty neat.

    ReplyDelete
  25. fiberchickDecember 9, 2011 at 12:38 PM

    Love that book too. Like the Kona green best but what about a pale lavender?

    ReplyDelete
  26. NancyDecember 9, 2011 at 2:04 PM

    I like the warmth the cinammon brings to the blocks. Second choice is the disappearing act fabric.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Bonnie HullDecember 9, 2011 at 3:03 PM

    Vintage turquoise or the last Kaffe...the gray shot cotton is nice...but then it looks Australian! (Nothing wrong with that, but it is a "look"...one I'm about to use I might add...) Whatever you pick will be fun. xo

    ReplyDelete
  28. meli BDecember 9, 2011 at 3:32 PM

    I am going to be no help at all. I like all your choices. The blocks are wild so it is really up to you whether you want a very busy, vibrant quilt or whether you want to feature the blocks themselves. I think you are on a winner either way.

    ReplyDelete
  29. KimDecember 9, 2011 at 8:55 PM

    Duh look at the picture.....I said red like I had an original thought...you gotta go with Gwen's lead on this one right?

    Happy Sewing

    ReplyDelete
  30. reganDecember 9, 2011 at 10:10 PM

    I'm with Tonya, too, and think the red Gwen has in the pic would be great! I also think maybe a chocolate brown, with a slight pattern to it, could be really beautiful against those kites. Just a thought!

    ReplyDelete
  31. DebbieDecember 10, 2011 at 6:44 AM

    I think part of what you love about the quilt pictured is the red. I would choose a red solid. If you want a brighter look I love the turquoise but in a solid.

    ReplyDelete
  32. AnonymousDecember 10, 2011 at 7:00 AM

    As far as I see your kite-blocks, I would say definitely a solid fabric. Red would be "typically you"!
    Following my own stash, it would be for me a blue, either a vintage turquoise or this Amish dark but luminous blue.
    Each one has its favorite colors!

    ReplyDelete
  33. Mary KeaslerDecember 10, 2011 at 3:04 PM

    Hmmmm, Nifty red sounds like the popular choice to me. But then that Nifty vintage turquoise is tempting. I've used a sandstone (woven with blue & orange thread) shot cottons with scrappy quilts and love that look as well. Whatever Nifty color you decide, will be just nifty best. (did I overdo it on the word nifty?)

    ReplyDelete
  34. AnonymousDecember 11, 2011 at 4:51 PM

    I like the look of the solid and my preference is cinnamon red or a brighter red.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Maureen T.December 11, 2011 at 9:32 PM

    Yikes! How to choose one!! They each are cool and tell a different story. My vote is with the vintage turquoise.

    ReplyDelete
  36. MaritDecember 12, 2011 at 12:34 AM

    A great start for another beautiful scrappy quilt! Love the inspiration quilt with the red solid background. That would have my vote, too...

    ReplyDelete
  37. VesuviusmamaDecember 12, 2011 at 3:01 PM

    I like the grey, but I think I'd love them on a solid red!

    ReplyDelete
  38. elsie123December 13, 2011 at 3:29 AM

    Vintage turquoise gets my vote!

    ReplyDelete
  39. Victoria Findlay WolfeDecember 17, 2011 at 8:19 AM

    the turquoise ROCKS!!! Although I love red. the grey is nice too.. turquoise though, makes my skirt fly up! wahoo! FABULOUS!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  40. AnonymousDecember 18, 2011 at 7:08 PM

    Vintage turquoise. I have the book from the library right now. It's great.

    ReplyDelete
  41. CarlaDecember 19, 2011 at 6:26 PM

    The vintage turquoise sings a song!

    ReplyDelete
  42. LucyDecember 21, 2011 at 11:59 PM

    I think a red will be very nice, but looking at teh pictures again I would go for the grey. It will give the quilt a vintage feel!

    ReplyDelete
  43. JeanellDecember 22, 2011 at 8:42 AM

    I like the grey, it is very popular right now, or a solid.

    ReplyDelete
  44. AnonymousDecember 26, 2011 at 2:08 AM

    Of the choices offered I'm liking the dark Kona Green. It doesn't compete with the string blocks. Second choice grey shot cotton.

    ReplyDelete
  45. MaureenDecember 29, 2011 at 5:26 AM

    My string bins are overflowing so I'm planning a spiderweb as a new project in 2012. I'm very curious. Have you decided on a background? My favorite is the vintage turquoise, but they all look good.

    ReplyDelete
  46. UnknownJanuary 10, 2012 at 12:30 AM

    LOVE the vintage turquoise!!

    ReplyDelete
  47. Tonya RicucciJanuary 21, 2012 at 1:19 PM

    Yup, bright true red like in the original quilt....

    ReplyDelete