My March Color Palette Challenge quilt is going to be named March Flare. Can you figure out why? Solar Flares. The colors. I think that’s a good name and it means I don’t have to keep thinking of a name.
If you don’t use Electric Quilt software by now, this post might just change your mind. Yes, you can draw in graph paper and use pencil colors but if a computer ditz like me can figure out EQ, you can too. Sometimes my way of figuring out how to save money isn’t quite normal and if you need examples, just ask Vince but I think using EQ saves so much that it’s worth it! Sometimes when I’m too tired to quilt or don’t have time to get into a project, in previous years, I would have gotten online and ordered fabric. That would give me the “quilt fix” I needed. Now, I can just doodle in EQ and that gives me a better “fix”. Also, I can see exactly how things are going to look, tweaking the design til I get it exactly as I want it, with no wasted cuts of fabric.
Using the two blocks that have been on my design wall, here’s a possible layout.
It looked a little blah so I changed some of the sashings to black. This is the setting I’ll use.
But just for fun, I played around with some on point settings and believe it or not, these are the same two blocks. Portions of the blocks are drawn using different fabrics but they started out as the same two blocks.
How fun is that setting? I’m tempted to make it as a wall hanging for my sewing room wall. I like it a lot!
Here’s a question for you: When you saw the March Color Palette, did you even think such a beautiful quilt could come from those bright colors? I’m learning that any color combinations can produce gorgeous quilts and it’s been a lot of fun for me to use colors I wouldn’t normally use together. If you’re not participating in the challenge . . why not?
Suzy says
I absolutely love the wallhanging design! Only thing is I’m a symmetrical girl and I would have to rotate the right and bottom half-square triangle borders so that they matched the other two sides and mirrored the design that you got in the upper left-hand corner. I too have EQ and I love it! I use it all the time!
JudyL says
I tried it that way and you get some weird corners. It could be tweaked and things changed to make it work. If I decide to do it, I may play around with it some more but I kinda like the not symmetrical border . . as evidenced by the sashing I’m going to use in the March top.
Sherry Moran says
Judy, I have to admit that when I first saw the colors I wasn’t too thrilled, but now, it’s just wonderful! I so admire your creativity. I just want to make ALL of your patterns! Good work!
Krista says
Lovely. I really like the wall hanging layout, but what you did with the sashing on the March quilt is great!
I just wanted you to know that you have me hooked on pieced borders. Despite my struggles with the numbers on my current quilt, I’m loving the look and process of making these. Your book has been great inspiration!
Sharon says
Hi Judy I have to tell you when I saw the colors for March I was not sure because of all the brights but wow am I ever impressed with what you have done with these colors. You are so right the quilt is just beautiful and I absolutely love the colors. No I do not use EQ never really had the opportunity to get it but I have heard wonderful things about it and I am going to bookmark this month because at the present I have no sewing machine but when I do get one I would love to join in on your Color Palette months…right now I am doing just allot of hand stitching to keep me occupied but you have really been an inspiration.
Leslie Sorenson says
I vote for the one that you want to make in to a wall-hanging. It just pops with pizazz.
JudyL says
There’s no voting! 🙂 The blocks are already made and they’d have to be made a little differently for the wall hanging. I may make one some day but not this month.
Helen Koenigl says
I just LOVE the wall hanging! It just pops right out and says “Hi!”
The blocks you have already made – I love them. Honestly, I don’t know how you figure it all out! I just FINALLY figured out my January quilt color scheme (well, alright – the February one too!) – haven’t even gotten started yet!
Claudia Wade says
Judy- I love your March Flare quilt! And I do use EQ. In fact today I’ve been messing around with it trying to design borders for my Rolling Along quilt. Thank you for that pattern. My Rolling Along blocks are all made. The only reason I haven’t done any of the color palette challenges so far is that I am working on a very time consuming block of the month pattern this year. I’m afraid that if I stop working on that to do a color theory project, my BOM will become a UFO. February was my favorite palette so far. Claudia
June Piper-Brandon says
I like the last 2. I’m saving the palette and thinking about making a bargello quilt. It spoke to me. I made an orange and purple and green bargello quilt a couple years ago and just did another one in blues and greens. I think this color palette lends itself well to it. I might have to do two, I just love baskets…
Sally H says
I’ve got to say that this is not my most favorite of your quilts. I actually like the colors, but the layout….? And then you showed us the wall hanging. That impresses me! I think it is the use of traditional blocks in such unexpected ways. Yeah you, considering more options (if only for another day.) Yeah for the tools that help you do that. You astonish me with all you get done!
vickie van dyken says
That Wall hanging Rocks!! I use Quilt Pro and I love it to. I like that I can scan in my fabrics to the design. I should use it more I guess…The more you use it the better you get. I took a class from Sheila at Road to Cali and she really gave us lots of tips and tricks. I should use them before I forget….
Once again I really love that Wall hanging 🙂
Vickie in Windy WA
Kristin says
The blocks look fantastic on your design wall. And in the first two layouts, I never would have believed that the baskets would look right on point, but they look GREAT!
Laceflower says
Love the baskets and what you have done with this month’s colours for the challenge. Can’t finish this post without saying also, love EQ.
Barbara Green says
The wallhanging is stunning!
Linda in NE says
At one time I fully intended to buy EQ. Even took a couple classes on it at QuiltNebraska one year and bought a book. That was several versions ago and I just never got around to it. At this point I guess I’m just not very into designing my own….just follow a pattern. Am I lame or what?
Kathy (QuiltMonkey) says
I just LOVE how you placed the black sashing in the second drawing! It adds so much interest and your eye travels around the quilt more. You are so creative. I really need to use my EQ software more. I’m only using it in the most basic way right now – drafting blocks and plopping them in a quilt setting to get fabric requirements. I need to start actually designing like you do!
Karla says
I am really ..really starting to like the orange and yellows, I am just going to have to add that color to my stash now 🙂
Sherry Moran says
Are the monthly color challenges to be patterns? I’m liking this one very much.
I’m getting ready to cut the Deep in the Heart quilt – got my tan fabrics at the Dallas Quilt Show this weekend, as didn’t have any in stash.
Keep up the good work – you’re stretching my brain!