What Can Brown Do For You?

Well, for starters, Brown can play very nicely with aqua. This top was made from a block exchange we did a year or two ago.  The specs were:  brown and aqua stars on cream, 12" finished.  I was dazzled by what came in!  I fondled these blocks for quite a while before putting them together.  Because there was so very much going on already, I decided on a very simple setting.  Last Saturday I added the border and the quilt is going to a new machine quilter this coming Wednesday.

We have a policy in our house that any of the kids who need a quilt for a wedding, baby, or other occasion gift are free to look at the tops I've got finished that are undesignated, and then if they see one they like, I get it quilted and bind it, and then they pay me whatever they would have spent for the gift.  It works out very well for all of us.

Tom and Anastasia claimed this top the last time they were home.  It will be a Christmas gift for their closest friends.  I believe I will bind it in the same brown batik as the border.


Brown is a terrific neutral, unifying a batch of other colors.

Last Saturday I got the rows assembled for this Sister's Choice quilt that started out as a leader-ender project.  This was the top where I found the perfect border fabric right in my own stash. 

I like this little quilt.  It looks comforting to me.  You know, the sort of thing you'd crawl under when you had a headache.  Or the blues. 

I know that most Sister's Choice blocks are made with the center nine patch being high contrast.  I deliberately chose low contrast for the centers, wanting them to look sort of blurry.  I believe I succeeded in most of them. 

It's funny how some of the leader-ender projects get kind of egocentric and demand to be made "real" projects, and others are more humble, and patiently wait their turn.

This quilt was one of the latter kind. 

Brown cries out for pink!  These guys are my current leader-ender project.  They'll finish at six inches.  They will be made into a baby quilt for dear friends of Andrew and Amy who are expecting a daughter in the spring.

Brown.  Can't get enough of it!

Comments

Pati said…
I have used brown with lavender and LOVE it!! Of course, you know I will put purple or lavender with anything! I'll try to find the top and take a picture of it for you. Its in the garage in one of the many totes labeled "quilt tops".
LizA. said…
The brown & aqua quilt is just yummy. You definitely achieved a "blurry" look on the second quilt, I didn't see the 9 patches till you mentioned them. It's YOUR fault that I had to buy a couple patterns this morning. Your link to Thelma's blog and the Yankee Pride quilt pattern she showed sent me on a hunt for it. Birdseye also "fell" into my cart....
*karendianne. said…
What a talented post! I'm enjoying the quilts and the way you shared the story of the "policy" in your house, too. That's wayy neat. Your Sisters Choice is delightful, friend. Charming. Love it! You've been in this wondrous place for so long now that I've decided it's just who you've become. Warm Love, *karendianne.
Mrs. Goodneedle said…
Brown works! These are all terrific quilts, you continue to inspire!
Denise in PA said…
Love the browns! You are right, they are a great neutral. I love all the combos, brown/teal or blue, brown/pink, brown/green. My favorite combos right now by far! Nice of you to offer quilts for gifts for your kids!
Lori said…
I like to consider brown a neutral. It's a great color to work with.
More lovely quilts! I really like the Sisters Choice quilt.
Lurline said…
I was going to be cheeky and say 'for stems in applique and not much else'! Then I looked at the cuddle quilt and oh!, how beautiful! Hmmm - Sister's Choice ...
Hugs - Lurline♥
Brown is amazing, so much goes with it, and they look great. Love both the quilts.
Diana said…
I bought a fat quarter bundle of browns a month or so ago and I can't even bring myself to untie it! I love the richness of brown and I think it looks good with just about anything.
AnnieO said…
I love brown as a "bonder" between lots of colors. It is terrific in scrap quilts I think. This is a really beautiful bunch of quilts you have been showing the last few posts :) The low contrast 9 patches do intrigue in the gorgeous Sister's Choice! I'm gathering fabrics for a quilt now that has low contrast blocks and they really can draw you in to inspect them closer. Can't wait to see them all finished.
altar ego said…
I'm catching up after having been away, and am loving this display of quilts. It's amazing what brown will compliment, and you have delightful evidence of those possibilities over these last few days. Bravo!
Tanya said…
Your brown quilts are beautiful! And here some people say they feel sorry for browns and never use them. (Am referring to one of the Collaborative Quilters authors) But of course someone else pointed out that if you dump all the colors in the paintbox together and mix them up, then what do you get? BROWN!!