Ikat Napkins for Color Intensive + a personal note

Ok, I'm really excited to show you something I've been working on for Color Intensive!  It's a project included in the class, designed to work well as a monochromatic work. 

Patchwork cloth napkins are such a luxury.  It's a bit of art that's practical and appreciated by guests.  I'm thinking ahead to Easter, when we host our family dinner.  These lovely bits of color and pattern will dress up our tables!  Not too much fuss, but so festive.  

I can make a range of colors to match our colorful plates, or forget matching, just letting the colors swim together a la my patchwork curtains!

The third week of Color Intensive (an online workshop about color + fabric) will focus on Neutrals.  It may seem odd to spend a whole week on neutrals in a class about color, but learning the dynamics of adding black, white, brown or gray to a work is crucial. Neutrals drastically effect the mood of any color scheme.   We'll also talk about the impact of value in color choices and how to create powerful monochromatic works by including shades and tints of our chosen color.  

I decided right away that monochromatic patchwork napkins would be fun for that week's project.  The challenge is to stay in one color, but choose fabrics that have a range of values so as to show off the patchwork pattern.  You could make a few napkins or many, so easily adapted and such a useful finish.  

The class will include instructions for two types of napkins:  simple patchwork napkins made of 3" squares (so they'll go together fast) and the pattern for this Ikat napkin.  I have machine paper pieced mine for accuracy (I wanted all those delicious right angles!), but you could also traditionally piece this if preferred.  

We love how the Ikat napkin looks folded on the plate, but when you open it up - what a surprise!  

If you'll be joining us for Color Intensive, keep in mind that registration opens on Monday January 20th.  Class actually begins 2 weeks later, February 3rd.  Next week I'll be chiming  to share some tools I'm using to communicate in color!

a personal note

Wow, didn't see that coming!  This post unearthed so much truly helpful feedback from you amazing readers.  I now feel in my bones that my choices are perfectly valid and are even working, so that they aren't going to leave me in the dust next week. 

Sometimes a person needs a little affirmation. I feel so incredibly blessed to have been dealt way more than my fair share.

I wrote that post one particularly overwhelming night and then sat on it a few days before publishing.  Some part of me knew that the angst I had felt was somewhat silly, short-sided and immature; but, I decided to share it anyways, if only as a reminder that we're all completely human.  We all have our insecurities.  Sometimes blinders are exactly what we need to get on with being happy and stop comparing!

Words cannot express how moved I am by those who pointed towards do. Good Stitches in the comments.  I honestly don't recognize often enough that the work we're all doing there is way more important to me than so many other things I've "produced" thus far.  I know that wherever life leads I will look back and be so thankful and so satisfied that I was a part of blessing others through do. Good Stitches.  Quilt gifting is one of the best things this art has to offer.

For your perspective, your encouragement, your practical advice and wisdom earned in years, for your understanding - - - for it all, I am truly grateful.