Dancing with Fans

"Dancing Fans"  76" x 61"

I had fun playing with the many design possibilities of the fan blocks.  

It took awhile before the final idea "unfolded." ; )

It began with a charcoal background and layout inspired by this quilt.

 Then I visited my friend, Patricia, at Okan Arts, 

and bought some of her vintage yukata cotton for the border.  

The charcoal had to go.  And why not play with the fan setting?  

Hmm, wheels?

Straight rows?

On point?

One row up, the next row down?

Snake?

Ah, now we're getting some movement.  I love the way they almost spin.  

This is the same design I settled on, but the fans aren't paired by color here.

Happy spring!  Wishing you lots of pink snow.

Eyelashes is Quilted!

"Eyelashes" (80" x 80") is quilted at last, just in time for the local quilt show.

I finished the top a few years ago, and quilted it over the last few months.

I used black perle #8 cotton and wool batting.

The design and quilting is inspired by Kathy Doughty's "Gypsy Kisses" in her book, Making Quilts. 

I used Kaffe Fassett's "Pickle Dish" pattern from his book, Quilt Romance.

Next up more fans! 

This one is inspired by this quilt made by Julie Fukuda and her quilt group in Tokyo.