Project Simplify - Day 35
June 22, 2011 Today's pillow is called Dream Big.
So.
When I was trying to decide on fabric for this pillow, it suddenly occurred to me - what would Project Simplify be without some Bonnie & Camille fabric? Oh how I love that feeling when inspiration hits. Sometimes it really does feel like lightning!
In fact, Lady Camille herself gave me this fabric at Market. (My cup really does runneth over ...)
So.
I adore making checkerboards. And when I'm making something - either from a pattern or working freestyle - I always seem to look at fabrics as darks & lights. Because this little baby charm pack didn't have enough squares for the pillow requirements, I thought I'd supplement with white.
Ah, white. I love white. I really do. I'd say 95% of the quilts I've ever made for myself have white in them. (And the ones that didn't have white have all been given away!) My kitchen is white, my bathroom is white, all the wood trim in my house is painted white, all my sheets & towels are white ... (I think you get the picture).
So here's "Little Ruby" ... on a white chair ... ;)
By the way, if you didn't know, this line of fabric was named after Camille's grandmother. Isn't that just the sweetest homage ever? Telling me something like that when I have PMS can make me cry ... just sayin'.
I struggled a bit on the fabric for the inner border. At first I wanted a nice vivid red. But the truth is A) I would have had to butcher a FQ from my big Ruby bundle and B) I was already somewhat traumatized from using up my cutie little baby charm pack (sniff ...)
Sorry, but I just wasn't emotionally ready for that. ;)
So white it is. I honestly do like how it makes the checkerboard float.
I copied the top-stitching design idea from the book. Super easy. I think I like it because it's sort of a modern take on my (yawn) cross-hatch.
Have I become, like, so totally annoying with my cross-hatch this and cross-hatch that? Sorry. I guess I'm just so surprised at how limiting my "repertoire" was until I took on my FMQ challenge.
I mean, don't get me wrong. I ADORE cross-hatching. I really really do. But because it was the ONLY thing I ever did, now that I'm trying out new things and learning FMQing, I feel a lovely sense of freedom, and ... choice. That's it. I have more options now.
Oh, and one more thing - you might want to check back here with me on Friday ... ;)
Project Simplify, Quilting 
Reader Comments (17)
No wonder I love your blog...we must be kindred spirits. My hubs and I have only white towels and sheets, and whenever I ask him what I should use for a new quilt backing, his answer is always the same..."white, of course!" :)
"Little Ruby" is a dream! Love how you incorporated the white. And also love the quilting. I want one just like her! :) I'm dying to get my hands on some "Ruby"!
Beautiful once again! I cannot get enough of white so I think that was the perfect border. Keep up the good work!
Ca-uuute! I love the off-set grid quilting on the checkerboard pattern. Oh, and I might be ever so slightly envious that you got to play with the Ruby fabrics ;)
Hi there, I'm really impressed with this pillow. Unlike you and Little Blue Dragonfly I really dislike white. White is only for little accents and for snow, caster sugar and polar bears (my mum thinks me and another baby were switched at birth). But I understand why you like white, it is perfect for this pillow and it 'calms' the other fabric. I made some Simplify-based pillows myself (using Bliss flannel), I will post them on my blog this weekend. Once again: well done, and don't worry about being boring: you never are. Hugs, Marja
This might just be one of my favorite's you have made so far - its simply fantastic :)
I'm the same way with using up fabric by the way, sad to use up my last little bit of something, or having to cut into a pretty new bundle :)
I LOVE Little Ruby....she is so pretty and cute. I love using white also, but probably not to the point that you do! I am more than a litte green with envy that you have some Ruby to play with......when Ruby is released to the public, I have no doubt I will try to get some and then watch her sit very pretty in my quilt room!
Fabulous - really pretty! As a change from crosshatching, have you tried using some of the decorative stitches on your machine - you can still sew in straight lines, but the lines have patterns!
I'm a new convert to making quilts with lots of whites or lots of creams....new but I adore it! I was give ones of those tiny 2 1/2" charm packs and boy are they adorable. Mine is Little Apples. It is so cute! I love the smallnes of it!
I do love your pillow. Go rest your PMS head on it and pick up a book or some hand work. Or better, put on your favorite chick flick and have a good laugh or a good cry or both!! ;0
The outer fabric on the cushion is so gorgeous and I love the green spotty material too! Another beauty. :)
See you Friday!
Vivienne x
Lucky you that you can have white in your home, my hubby has a landscaping business and comes home absolutely covered in dust and dirt! I would spend my entire life cleaning if everything was white! That would leave no time to sew, which is not good! Love the pillow!
I'm just IN LOVE with your "Little Ruby". Also, I'm most envious that you got to play with Ruby, I just can't wait to see her in stores. I'm thinking of doing the nursery for our next little one (Jan) in it!
I love the white and have to agree fully - I think white lets the other patterns shine. It has been my new resolve to use more in my "many" quilts (I'm on my third LOL!)
Beautiful! Can't wait to see what else you have in store!
Oh, the pillow is just wonderful. I love it. I really need to get that book and the fabric. The colors are charming and spring. What a great post! I need more white in my quilts. Wish I did more. The quilting is fun. Wow, I am inspired!
Gosh...this has been the MOST fun blog!! I feel like I am opening a present when I see you have posted. I am SEW inspired by all you do....including cross hatch or NO cross hatch!!!
I can´t wait to get my hands on ruby!!! I´m dying to have it! And I totally understand your crying about little ruby. It always feels like a lose to use a charm packs ... but the result always makes it worth. And your pillow is just beautiful and the white make ruby even more beautiful (if that´s possible). Keep on going!
Hildy
Lovin' these pillows -- especially this one! These days, I also prefer cross hatch quilting -- I probably got burned out on stippling -- so, you're not hurting my eyes LOL!
I'm so inspired by Project Simplfy! This is my favorite project yet. I LOVE checkerboards and Ruby is so darling. Thank you for sharing your projects...I may just copy this one when I can get my hands on some Ruby!
http://www.thingsherelately.com/my-blog/2015/06/projects-9-10-11-three-pillows-for-emmas-room.html