When I started my current quilt, I was all about leaning into the happy feelings. I wanted to sew with fabrics and colors that felt optimistic and joyful. Really, it is a spring palette with pinks, greens and cheery blues, plus a preponderance of cute prints.

But after my second or third batch of blocks, I felt a nagging worry. Perhaps this spring palette was sprung too soon, given that it’s still winter here in The Netherlands and given the bumpy shape of my days? Maybe these fabrics don’t fit me after all.

I shared my doubts with a friend, and putting them into words helped me move forward, as it so often does. I realized that I don’t want to abandon the project (which I rarely/never do), but to make it better. To make it fit. For starters I would select my favorite blocks to zoom in on a feel-good palette.

And here they are! This feels hopeful and punchy, instead of sugar-sweet. I think it’s mainly the browns that I need to consciously continue adding. Their grounding energy makes the girly spring shades feel good to me.

Plus, I’ll sew more low-volume background blocks to keep the overall palette light - - -

So here we are now, including all of the blocks I have sewn so far. Once I zoomed in on my feel-good palette and sewed more in that mood, the couple of less-than-favorite blocks were able to blend right in. I’m glad.