Cherry House Quilts

Two minute tip #1

Often as I'm working, I have (what seems to me) like a brilliant idea, then I think "I should share that"; but I generally never do. So thought I would share them here, with you. Some ideas you may have known forever, others you might say "why didn't I think of that", you may even have an excellent tip of your own to share - which would be great - the more the better!

Tip #1

Do you have a much coveted Kona Cotton Color card, or a Moda Bella Color Card? What happens when they become obsolete, is your heart broken, and the hunt for a new one begins? Don't throw that old card away - date it, and hang on it as a resource for your library. Colors come and go, and you may desperately need to know that Alpine is no longer manufactured by RK, but there are seven other greens that make a perfect replacement. If the crew from Hoarders shows up at your house, pitch 'em, but otherwise those dated cards make a wonderful study of what's in and out in solids.

xoxo,

Cherri

 

More solids & prints...the challenge

Well, hands down, the gray wins...thanks to everyone who left a comment, voting for your fav! It was interesting that several of you wanted to see red as a background. The second quilt has a narrow red inner border, which completely changes the look of the quilt. Do you like one over the other?

 
Several commented that the white looked too washed out (which it did), but look at it with the narrow inner border of gray. The second quilt has the same narrow border, but with the darker gray background. I think the narrow border looks backlit by the darker gray.

 
As promised here is a quilt combining both prints and solids. It is a challenge to get the right mix of prints with solids, balancing both to get all the components working together. Fabric designers and manufacturers take a lot of the guess work out of the equation with tight collections, and matching solids. The fabric used in this quilt is Moda's Just Wing It by MoMo.

 
By using a simple block such as the Log Cabin, both the prints and the solids have a chance to shine. The prints are busy, but solids are calming...so the combination of the two is visually exciting to examine, but not overwhelming to your senses.

All I can think of now that I've designed this quilt, is that I want to make one...happens every time!

I hope you've enjoyed this look at prints and solids with me!

xoxo,

Cherri

A primer on pairing solids and prints

 
Often I hear from quilters who are anxious about pairing solids and prints. They just aren't sure what to do, or how to do it. I'm not sure where the anxiety comes from, maybe the starkness of the solid? 

Here's a simple little quilt, working with just one print, and lots of solids

• Pick a favorite print that has a variety of colors
• Pull/purchase solids in shades close to the colors of the print
• Bind the quilt in the same print to unify all the colors together
• You've just successfully paired solids and a print!

Here's a free paper pieced 6" block I created - give it a try, and let me know how it goes! The name that I've given the block is DRY IN THE SHADE...this is the international symbol to dry clothing in the shade.

• Download DRY IN THE SHADE

xoxo,

Cherri

The Tempest - Color Options

 
After many requests, the color options guide is finally available!!! The downloadable PDF includes a chart with the exact Kona colors you will need to create The Tempest in seven different options. The Tempest pattern is not included with guide.

If you haven't invested in one yet, now would be a great time to purchase a Kona Cotton Color Card

Color Guide $6.00

The Tempest $9.00

Thank you for all The Tempest love!

Cherri

A Cherry House Quilts - Quilt Along!

Ready for a quick & easy quilt along? I am!  Let me share with you my thoughts about this little quilt, first of all the inspiration for the quilt came from a pair of socks, probably from the Gap. Secondly I am going to make this into a large quilt, but I wanted to test it on a small scale...a good place to work out all the kinks.

The colors given for each quilt will be from Kona Cotton Solids, feel free to substitute with other fabrics or colors if you like. 

Quilt Size: 34 x 36

Level of Difficulty: Anyone & everyone can create this quilt

I hope you will join me in making one of these colorful quilts - or make more than one if you like. The project will be quick & fun...something pressure free!

My dear Lizzy is creating a Quilt Along button for us, and I'll set up a Flickr group for these little beauties.

I will get the fabric lists created this weekend for the following colors:

• Pink
• Brown
• Gray
• Orange

Start date: February 1st

Leave a comment if you would like to participate...I hope you will join along!

  
 

xoxo,

Cherri

Day 2 of the blog tour!!!

Okay, I am loving this blog tour!  It has been so wonderful to read all of your kind words and comments about the quilts, the book, and your new found love of solids!  Aren't they the best? 

Some of you have mentioned difficulty in locating solids where you live...where are you?  I think overseas they may be more difficult to come by, and more pricey too.  Let's help each other out, and share your resources! 

Here's a few questions you can answer if you like...I really want this to be a win/win for everybody!

• Where do you shop?
• What are your favorite local and online resources for your solids? 
• US or international
• What are your favorite quality solids? 
• Robert Kaufman Kona Cotton Solids 
• Moda Bella
• Free Spirit
• RJR

Your response to The Tempest options has been excellent!  The orange has been surprisingly well received, the brown, not so much, which was also a surprise.  The question many have asked is WHERE IS THE GREEN ONE?  Well, here it is...in all it's green glory!  Plus a pale blue which I really love, and a gray.  What do you think?  Any favorites?

GREEN

SKY BLUE

GRAY

 
  
 Ready for day three of tour?  Let's go!

July 14th – Stefanie Roman
July 15th – Pat Sloan
July 16th – Spool
July 17th – Allie/Robert Kaufman
July 18th – John/Fat Quarterly
July 19th – Emily Cier
July 20th – Sarah/Josh Sewer Sewist
July 21st – Julie / Jaybird
July 22nd – Vickie Eapen
July 23rd – Jessica Levitt
July 24th – Kim Kight
 
 Thank you again for coming along on this journey!!!

Cherri