brewing

"Brewing" is exactly the right word for designing a quilt. My ideas tend to emerge gradually, getting richer and more complex the longer I let them sit.

After our trip to the beach, I pulled a few fabrics right away to capture the mood of a beach blanket quilt. Here's what I started with from top left and across in rows:

1. Eliza Stripe by Jennifer Paganelli
2. Up All Night by Anna Maria Horner
3. Mod Trees by Liz Scott
4. Walls by Tina Givens
5. Mod Trees by Liz Scott
6. Mikeala by Jennifer Paganelli
7. Tarika by Dena Designs
8. Danielle by Jennifer Paganelli
9. Walls by Tina Givens
10. Buds by Liz Scott
11. Cathedrals by Anna Maria Horner
12. Lindy Leaf by Heather Bailey

I wasn't entirely sure the fabric mix was spot on until I took the time to pull a lot more fabrics! I'm seeing a simple patchwork pattern of 8" squares in a riot of prints and color. I hope the effect is completely over-the-top happy and almost scrappy for all the fabrics included.

Then this weekend I picked up some madras! These soft, lightweight cottons are on sale just about everywhere today. Thanks, Anna of Noodlehead, for the inspiration! My only concern is how well they will hold up combined with the sturdier quilting cottons. I guess I could add interfacing to the madras squares or simply zigzag quilt around the madras seams for extra support. What would you do?