This January I have been so inspired by your beautiful Pas de Deux beginnings. We’ve only just begun, but even so you’ve open my eyes to possibilities I hadn’t yet imagined.

I’m feeling the tug to finish the scrappy rainbow version I’ve already started, and begin fresh with a new palette. Why not? It’s not, after all, a particularly time-consuming quilt. Here are some of the Pas de Deux beginnings that are inspiring me most today.

Maker: @Marvanzij

Her Style: One Color + black and white for each patchwork group

My Thoughts: I like the idea of using a theme like black and white throughout the quilt, along with random colors for each group. This plan will powerfully unify the quilt, while keeping it scrap-friendly.

Her palette feels clean and urban.

Maker: @1StrongCheryl

Her Style: Consistent colors for two neighboring patchwork groups.

My Thoughts: When I designed Pas de Deux I visualized each patchwork group as a separate and distinct entity. Thanks to this maker, I’m super curious to see what the quilt would look like if color was used to unify elements, rather than create distinction.

Imagine, for example, a Pas de Deux with ombre effect, color changing gradually in a vertical ombre, irrespective of patchwork groups. Hmmm!

Maker: @AnnetteQuilts2

Her Style: Limited color palette, plus sprinkling a feature fabric (winter tree)

My Thoughts: Annette has already sewn her February blocks, which lets us see how pretty it looks to blend the patchwork groups with a consistent color scheme.

What a fun idea to randomly place the winter tree motif throughout the quilt! One could do the same with any favorite feature print. It adds another layer of design will further unifying the quilt.

Maker: @AbleMissDesigns

Her Style: Theme prints - fresh multicolor florals - plus value play.

Notice the value change in the HST blocks as you travel from left to right. Plus, the top of the Circle Squares is darker than the bottom.

My Thoughts: If you begin with a limited color palette (perhaps defined by a focal print) you can feel totally free to play with color and value effects in the patchwork groups. Whatever happens, it all will flow together!

Maker: @Quiltwerke

Her Style: Consistent palette. Branching out to add additional design elements - see second photo for her February idea!

My Thoughts: Treating the Pas de Deux quilt as a colorful whole really opens the patchwork up to so many unexpected possibilities.

I can see that going this route would give me chances for discovery and play that feel almost improv in nature. That's really attractive to me right now!

Yep, it’s decided - I’ll be starting a new Pas de Deux this spring! Thanks to everyone for the bucket loads of inspiration, including many that I didn’t share here. You can see more at #PasdeDeuxQuilt on Instagram.

Would you like to join in, but feel like you missed your chance? It’s not so! You can totally jump in now and catch up easily. People are getting started all the time. Right now you can still choose between the annual subscription or the monthly model. With the monthly model, I’ll be in contact to collect January’s fee as well. Either way, you’ll have both January and February materials from the get go, so you can make a running start!

Happy Patchwork, everyone!