When the world is turning upside down, we all welcome a distraction. There’s no better time to put your hands to work making something beautiful and useful. Wouldn’t you agree? I’m so glad we have this hobby to comfort ourselves and others in these unusual times. Luckily social media helps us stay connected, come what may.

I’m wishing everyone health and peace!

Let’s continue exploring The Quilter’s Field Guide to Color, settling in on chapter 2: Seasonal Inspiration.

Right now the seasons are changing round the world. In the northern hemisphere spring begins to wash over the land, ushering feelings of renewal and fresh possibility. In the southern hemisphere autumn’s beauty inspires awe and contemplation. For most of us the change in seasons brings a fresh energy to mind and body. You can capture that energy and funnel it into your hobby!

Read chapter 2, beginning on page 22. I hope you can see the seasons in the quilts I have shared in the book. The most important page is about “How to Use the Quality of Seasons.” For some of us, following the energy of the seasons creates a natural rhythm to our work.

Maybe take a moment to consider a project or two that you are working on now (other than your blocks for Quilter’s Color Quest). Are the colors in step with your local season? If not, do you find yourself yearning for the coming seasons’ colors? Sometimes that is at the heart of project-hopping. .

I really do think this way when I choose colors and plan projects. For example, this winter Simple Modern asked me to remake Never Easy quilt for their late 2020 issue, delivering the quilt to them by mid summer. Never Easy is a decidedly autumn/winter quilt. It has none of the brightness or joyful colors of the spring or summer seasons. Thus, I scheduled my remake for Jan/Feb, knowing that I wouldn’t enjoy sewing such colors when the seasons changed.

After the Rain is finished just in time, since daffodils and tulips are popping up all around. Now I’m sewing my Confetti quilt again, which is overflowing with bright light and happy colors, ideal for spring time!

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I hope you’ll take time to do the Seasons swatch and patchwork challenge on pages 28-29. I sewed mine with the Kona fern background. What do you think?

At far left is my spring block, with lighter colors and gentle motifs. My summer block is easy to pick out with the multicolor sunglasses and playful blue “squiggle” claws. Autumn is also saturated, but in a more nuanced palette. This Fanciful fabric in burnt orange fairly shouts autumn. Winter was challenging to communicate on a vibrant green background. I chose to keep my fabrics neutral, devoid of color, to make a point (and the snow is the bird print doesn’t hurt).

The Patchwork Challenge in the book only asks you to make one block, representing the current season. Feel free to keep things focused, or try to make one block for each of the four seasons! Share your makes at #QuiltersColorQuest. I’ll be doing a round-up post from the community next!