December 20, 2011

Back or front?


I intended this improvised log cabin to be the back for a baby quilt I pieced a couple of weeks ago:

 
This is the "Posh Tot" pattern from Blue Underground Studios.  Love this pattern--I've had it for a long time, but just got around to making a version.  It goes together very easily.  

But the more I looked at the improvised log-cabin back I'd made, I more I wanted it to have a life of its own.  So, I made it a front instead, gave it a plain blue back, and quilted it in squares, which I haven't done before.  I like it so much, I'm keeping it for myself.  Here it is in the multi-purpose room where I have a couple of desks as well as our washer/dryer.


a close up of the quilting:



And here's what went on the back of "Posh Tot"--made from fabric I had on hand, so no purchase necessary.  Quilted with straight-line horizontal stitching.  (Seems I forgot to get a shot from the front before I sent it off to the new baby.)

About backs/fronts:  There have been other backs that I've shown people, and gotten the response, "That should be a front!"  I started piecing backs after being inspired by Mary Beth Clark's creations--almost all of her quilts have a lively back pieced together from fabrics leftover from the front, plus other fabrics from her stash.  I know she gets this comment frequently too.  This is the first time I've actually changed an intended back to a front.  Why this time?  I think because this "back" was not only a viable composition on its own (true of other backs that I've kept on the back) but that it actually turned out to be of more interest to me than the front (even as much as I like the front). 

About the beautiful fabric in the Posh Tot quilt--both were purchased at the Quilted Fox, a fantastic quilting store in St. Louis.  
Red with square dots: Moda Fabrics Sherbert Pips by Anella Hoey in Cherry
Paisley: Westminster/Rowan Fabrics, Marylebone by Liberty Art Fabric, Fordwych in Rust


3 comments:

  1. It deserved to be a front!! It's great! I am a fan of interesting quilt backs too--and why not be interesting on the back? The quilting is really really nice. I'm working on my skills with that. :)
    Quilt on.....

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  2. Great decision - that makes such a beautiful wall hanging! I like that quilting in lines ending up with squares.

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  3. Beautiful! I especially like the dark blue binding (is that the right name)? What a nice present to yourself!

    Cookie

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