Friday, May 6, 2016

frances firefly

I can’t believe it’s been a month since I went to Sewtopia in Atlanta.  Time flies!  As do these beauties…

This is a yet to be released pattern by Elizabeth Hartman called Frances Firefly.  She was, obviously, one of the teachers.
I used mostly fabrics from a jelly roll of Elizabeth’s Rhoda Ruth collection.  My background is a new Essex Yarn Dyed Metallic fabric.  It’s amazingly soft.  I don’t usually pre-wash my fabric but I did with this.  It washed beautifully and was very nice to work with.


I quilted this with jagged lines.  I was trying to copy how fireflies move.
Interesting fact:  Originally I thought Elizabeth was off using white for the “lights” on her quilt.  I was planning to used the new super bright Kona highlight for mine.  A quick Google search taught me that fireflies light up in different colors in different regions.  The highlight color was really fighting with all the bodies so I decided to copy Elizabeth and just go with white.

The back is all this brooch print which is also from the Rhoda Ruth line.  
Can you see how the background glistens here?  It was hard for me to capture in a photo - even on a bright sunny day. 

I’ve been to a few retreats now and it always amazes me how different everyone’s projects turn out based on fabric choices.  This was one time where EVERY SINGLE firefly was beautiful!  Modern fabrics, batiks, solids, neutrals, people who used all values of one color, or a few different colors.  Beautiful fireflies were fluttering around the room.  If you have a chance to make this - even one firefly - I encourage you to go for it.  You will not be disappointed.  You can see some others here on Instagram.  Really, check out #francesfireflyquilt.  They're all amazing!


Also teaching at Sewtopia was Denyse Schmidt!!!  I only got one block of her new Freewheeling Single Girl pattern done and (realistically) expect to finish this by fall.  I’ll share all about the awesomeness of meeting her then.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the Moms and happy weekend to EVERYONE!

I’ll be linking up with Crazy Mom Quilts and Let’s Bee Social.
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21 comments:

  1. PaigeMay 6, 2016 at 3:49 PM

    Karen, it's gorgeous! And your quilting is spot on! I took pictures of Elizabeth's quilting so I could give it a try. I still have one lonely block, but one day...

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    1. Karen @runsewfunMay 7, 2016 at 9:50 AM

      Thank you so much Paige. My quilting is much larger than Elizabeth's but it works for me. I used gray thread and it was VERY challenging to see where I had been and where I needed to go. I still have one lonely Freewheeling Single Girl block, but one day...

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  2. The Inside StoriMay 6, 2016 at 5:21 PM

    Oh my gosh what a stunning quilt! And to think you got it completely finished in about a month.....awesome!

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    1. Karen @runsewfunMay 7, 2016 at 9:44 AM

      Thanks Mary. I was completely focused on getting these blocks finished at Sewtopia so I would only have to quilt and bind it for a finish. Trying to keep my WIP pile under control!

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  3. HeideMay 6, 2016 at 5:31 PM

    Karen, What a stunning quilt! Love your colors and how fab quilting. Like your interesting fact too.

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    1. Karen @runsewfunMay 7, 2016 at 7:41 AM

      Thanks Heide. My interesting fact was not entirely correct so I've updated my post. I guess "don't believe everything you read" caught me this time.

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    2. HeideMay 13, 2016 at 4:19 AM

      Fact is this is Gorgeous! So true about don't believe everything you read out here in the WWW, LOL.

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  4. UnknownMay 7, 2016 at 6:48 AM

    Love, love your quilt! Not to be a spoiler, but we don't have lightning bugs here in the Portland area.

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    1. Karen @runsewfunMay 7, 2016 at 7:36 AM

      So apparently my quick Google search was too quick! Thanks for the correction. I have updated the post. Thanks for the quilt kudos, too.

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  5. Mary MarcotteMay 7, 2016 at 4:15 PM

    We have fireflies in Louisiana and this looks so very interesting. I think I'm going to look up the pattern when it comes out and at least make a pillow or two for the granddaughters, maybe each in her favorite colors. They will love that.

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  6. Lorna McMahonMay 9, 2016 at 3:23 AM

    Your fireflies are so pretty and I absolutely love the backing fabric you chose. What a beautiful finish! Must have been a really fun time meeting both Elizabeth and Denise. Looking forward to hearing more in your next post! Hope you had a wonderful Mother's Day, Karen.

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    1. Karen @runsewfunMay 12, 2016 at 7:15 AM

      Thank you Lorna. I'm late to the link up and glad it's still open! Mother's Day was extra special this year with a healthy granddaughter to celebrate!

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  7. legato1958May 12, 2016 at 12:47 PM

    Wow!! I love your Fireflies Quilt! Your fabrics are gorgeous choices!
    Susie

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  8. RachelMay 12, 2016 at 2:40 PM

    I like the offset design and the different colored wings! I didn't know that about fireflies either. Very interesting.

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    1. Karen @runsewfunMay 13, 2016 at 4:21 AM

      Thanks Rachel. It's funny about fireflies. When I think of it we didn't have any for a few years but the past two summers they've come back in full force. They're so fun to watch for...and for children to catch!

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  9. SewmotionMay 13, 2016 at 12:00 AM

    I love your Firefly quilt, beautiful fabric choices, Elizabeth Hartman's patterns are so gorgeous aren't they! Congrats on a great finish!

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    1. Karen @runsewfunMay 13, 2016 at 4:25 AM

      Thanks. Elizabeth really understands color value and uses it to make her animals come to life!

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  10. TuridJanuary 21, 2017 at 5:56 AM

    I love that butterfly quilt!

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