Monday, May 11, 2020

Northern Lights and the Ultimate Home Decor Blog Hop

Time for my day on the Island Batik Ultimate Home Decor Blog Hop!

Do you know what serendipity is?  It is "the occurrence and development of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way."  I knew that for my project I wanted to make something special for my dining room, but when I saw that I was going to be working with the Northern Lights line I was totally inspired!  I love this line that was provided in my Island Batik Ambassador box this year - it was designed by Kathy Engle, and it is absolutely lovely.  Another new favorite for me!  These fabrics are part of the Winter 2019 line and are now arriving in quilt shops everywhere.
And the serendipity part is that I just so happen to have an older pattern I designed that is also named Northern Lights and would be perfect for this challenge!

I've been hanging a quilt over the east window in my dining room, but my husband was getting tired of standing on a chair to fold the quilt up over the rod every morning, so my goal was to make a quilt top from this design and turn it into a shade for the window.  I've made several Roman shades over the years, this book is a great resource for ideas and how to's:
                                                                   

First, cut a lot of strips!
I used the lightest purple thread in the Amalfi Purple color builder box from Aurifil Thread for the piecing.
I started out by making a strata of strips from all the fabrics in the line.  They go in sets of 5 strips from light to dark in color.  When I was happy with these, I proceeded to cut them into strips, then sew the strips together. I call this a freeform bargello because the strips aren't cut the same width going either way, so you don't have to worry about matching up the corners!  It's fun and easy to do.

After you go through three sets of the strata, the center of the quilt is finished!
Wow!  I just love the waves of color that form as you work with the strips.
For the next step, I measured the window and figured out how wide the side borders, plus top and bottom borders needed to be.  For a normal quilt they would all be the same, and I could have removed a strip or two to make my borders even, but I was just fine with having the side borders be smaller.  My quilt inspector made an appearance as I was getting a picture out on my patio so show you the richness of the colors in this fabric!

I backed my pieced top with a lightweight drapery lining, and topstitched the sides.  I added a velcro strip to the top to attach to the mounting strip that I placed on the window frame.  This is simply a 1 x 2 board with velcro on the top and screw eyes for the cording to run through on the bottom.  By using velcro I can change my curtain out for the seasons.  I will make a heavier, quilted shade for the winter, but this one will be nice for the summer months.  I hand sewed rings in lines every 10 inches across the back.  I used four in each row, so they are about 13 inches apart.
 Finally, the shade is mounted on strip, and the lines are threaded through the rings.  Voila!  I knew it would be hard to get a good picture of it hanging.  I can't wait until next month when I plan to repaint this room is a soft tan color.  Goodbye yellow walls!
Here it is glowing in the morning sun!
And now it's raised so we can enjoy the lovely view and sunshine in my dining room!

Here's a picture in the evening, I can raise and lower the shade to where I want it.  My husband approves of the shade, and says the fabrics are beautiful!  Of course, they are!

I have a special giveaway for you, too!  I originally wrote this pattern using 10 fat quarters of fabric.  I wasn't thinking and when I cut my strips for the strata I ended up cutting double what I needed because I was using 20 fabrics.  So I have enough strips of the strata already cut and sewn together in sets of 5.  I will give these to the winner, along with 3/4 of a yard of the purple for the border plus a copy of my pattern so you can make your own quilt!  (You don't have to make a shade out of it, it's a good lap quilt size!)  Sorry, only US winners for this one, it'll be a bit too expensive to ship overseas...

a Rafflecopter giveaway

There is also a great giveaway sponsored by Island Batik this week (with two winners!) of a River Valley bundle.  This is the line I used for last month's challenge and it is gorgeous as well.  Make sure you visit the rest of the Island Batik Ambassadors for more great giveaways and home decor projects!

May 11:





May 12:





May 13:





May 14:





And here is that giveaway sponsored by Island Batik:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck, and hope you enjoy the projects this week!

61 comments:

  1. Nancy A: SewingGranda@gmail.com10:25 AM

    I have never made a bargello quilt. I think I would like to try making one.

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  2. Your Roman Shade is exquisite! With the sun shining thru, it looks like a stained glass window. I have not made a bargello quilt yet, it's been on my to do list for a while.

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  3. That shade is gorgeous. What a great way to use both the fabric and your pattern. Nicely done.

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  4. Love the Roman shade. It looks like stained glass. I would love to make this bargello pattern. Thank you for all you do in the quilting and blogging world!

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  5. Beautiful shade! No, I never made a bargello quilt, it is on the list to make.

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  6. Ooooh that is gorgeous and I love the way the sun highlights it. Beautiful finish.

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  7. Some of my favorite quilt designers are Alison Glass, Libs Elliott, Tula Pink and Elizabeth Hartman. Haven't necessarily made any of their patterns.

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  8. Your shade is simply spectacular. I love the picture in the morning sun. Looks like stain glass windows.

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  9. I made a Heart Bargello in a class for our quilt guild as one of my first large quilts. Absolutely love the colors in your window shade/quilt!!barbkaup(at)(yahoo)(dot)(com)

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  10. I have never made a bargello quilt, but have helped other quilters make one! Love yours and love that roman shade book. Giving me an idea......

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  11. No..not YET! This has got my interest peaked!

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  12. Oh but these fabrics are gorgeous. I love your window covering. I would love to try this for a window we have in our hobby room that right now has nothing on it. And my husband loves purple also. win-win. Thank you for sharing and inspiring.

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  13. Anonymous1:19 PM

    Awesome! I e always wanted to make a Roman shade. We’re in our new home and this would be perfect.
    Your shade is beautiful, love the colors!

    usairdoll (at) gmail (dot) com
    Google isn’t let me sign in ??

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  14. Wow, that is absolutely gorgeous; my colours too.

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  15. your shade is gorgeous, especially with the light behind it. i've not made a bargello quilt yet, this one would be a great first try.

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  16. I have never made a bargello quilt, but now I want to.

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  17. I have made a bargello quilt top...I have yet to layer and quilt it. (sigh)
    I love the colors and tjaps (designs) in this line.

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  18. Beautiful!! Love those colours and one of theses days I will make a bargello quilted project.

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  19. The intensity of the colors is beautiful! I would like to see a window light behind the shade at night! It would be lovely

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  20. I have never made a bargello quilt, though I would like to. Your quilt is gorgeous!!!

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  21. Never made a Bargello quilt, but purchased a pattern about a year ago. So it's on my bucket list.

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  22. I have not made a Bargello quilt, but used the technique to make a tote bag and I just loved it! Being a purple lover, your window shade just melts my heart! I have the same type of Roman shade in my sewing room, but it's a plain ol' cream color...what a grand improvement it would be to have one like yours on my window!
    duchick at gmail dot com

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  23. I have made several Bargello quilts but never thought of turning one into a shade/curtain. Beautiful and great idea. Love these fabrics. I'd take any of these. My favorite colors. I could make a wonderful scrap quilt.

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  24. Great idea!! Bargello for a window shade!! Love it!!

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  25. I have never made a Bargello Quilt before they seem so intimidating to me. Your window shade with the sun coming through it looks just like a stained glass window. Love it

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  26. Oh that shade is just lovely! What a great way to use th fabric. No I haven't made a bargello but I sure would love to one of these days!

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  27. Your shade is gorgeous! So nice. I have not made a bargello yet but I hope to. Enjoy your day! angielovesgary2 atgmail dotcom

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  28. I like Elizabeth Hartmans quilt designs. I have a couple on my to-do list. angielovesgary2 atgmail dotcom

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  29. I have made a simple small bargello, not a large complicated one.

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  30. Your bargello curtain turned out spectacular! To answer your question, one of my favorite designers is Erica at Kitchen Table Quilting.

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  31. The way that beautiful quilt glows in the window is awesome! I've never made a bargello quilt or a roman shade, but now I want to do both! Thanks so much for the inspiration and for the generous giveaway!

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  32. That's stunning. I love the use of the fabrics and design as a shade. I've done some Bargello style, mostly as a Greek flag. And my favorite designers are some of the Ambassadors, Bonnie Hunter, Eleanor Burns Edyta Sitar and Gudrun Erla.

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  33. I've made a bargello placemat. Loved the finished look. Your shade is beautiful!

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  34. I love bargello quilts and the fabrics for this are gorgeous! What a great idea to use the quilt as a shade.

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  35. WOW, Pamela!!! This is absolutely amazing! The light through your shade is just stunning! What an amazing of the prefect things all coming together! And I appreciate the info on how you made the roman shade. We have a kitchen window that gets a lot of sun and maybe, someday, I can make a shade--now I'll be thinking about it. This is incredible!

    I am intimidated by bargello quilts and have never made one.

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  36. Pamela, you knocked this one out of the park! What a terrific shade you made, just gorgeous and once you get the walls painted, I bet you will be smiling every moment you are in the dining room! I haven't done any Bargello for years, but I know it's been making a bit of a comeback. Lovely pattern. :-)

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  37. I made a bargello style quilt with an ocean theme for my daughter. I saw a picture online that showed color placement for the sand and the water. We took that inspiration and my daughter drew her quilt on graph paper. I then figured out the strips and cutting to create the wavy effect we wanted. Wehn it came to quilting, I began by hand quilting various sand and ocean motifs in assorted colors scattered around the browns and blues. Then I machine quilted diagonally through the wavy stripes, beginning and ending by the hand quilted sections. I hand quilted a swirl pattern on the wide border. It turned out quite cute, but was larger than we had anticipated. My plan for a twin size is closer to full size. Oh well, more to snuggle under.

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  38. Wow, your new shade is beautiful! I have made two smaller Bargello quilts. They were much easier than I expected.

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  39. I've made a small wall hanging but would love to make something bigger

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  40. I've never made a bargello quilt but it's on my bucket list!

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  41. Lovely with the light showing through. Great job!

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  42. I have never made a bargello quilt! They look awesome and I am a newer quilter so might be a challenge.

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  43. I just want to say that this is absolutely amazing. I've been wanting to do Roman curtains over my kitchen windows for several years. Maybe in the dining room too. This might be just the inspiration. I've done several bargello quilts and it is not a difficult technique. I love the colors in this fabric stack.

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  44. I have never made
    any type of quilt!
    Love this as a shade
    and colors are just
    wonderful.
    Carla from Utah

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  45. I started twice and never moved forward past choosing the fabric. I decided a bargello was not a good quilt retreat project for me. Too easily distracted with what is going on with everyone there. I do want to make one soon. i love your shade, Your Northern Lights pattern is perfect for these beautiful fabrics. I would love to win. Thank you for the chance. Stay well.

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  46. I have never made a bargello quilt, but I would love to. They are beautiful but look so complex to make. Yours is gorgeous. I would love to have a shade like that. I've never thought about using a quilt for a shade.

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  47. I have never made a bargello quilt. But I've seen the northern light, and your quilt is just like that.

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  48. Beautiful! I have never made a bargello quilt.

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  49. Yes! I made 4 bargello table runners as Christmas gifts for four of my friends. What fun they were!

    gmail account closed. please re[ly to lynnstck(AT)yahoo(dot)com

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  50. I have never made a bargello quilt but have often thought about it.

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  51. Your shade is gorgeous! I have never made a bargello, but it is on the list!

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  52. What a brilliant solution!! I can't let DH see this post, as he will want me to make a shade for our dining room. We had to remove a couple of trees out front and now we get blasted with sunlight every evening. Thanks for offering a giveaway!

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  53. I haven't ever made a bargello quilt. Your quilt is absolutely gorgeous!
    nikilsend(at)outlook(dot)com

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  54. I have not, but I bought the Quilt in a Day book years ago, does that count as a start? Your project is beautiful, like a stained glass window!

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  55. What a pretty way to use a quilt top! The temporary mounting is a brilliant idea too.

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  56. Also, yes I've made bargello, but it's been a while. I should equip my jelly rolls.

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  57. I've made a bargello and it was one of my favorites. Have since given it away, so it would be fun to make another!

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  58. beautiful bargello!! It makes a fabulous shade. we just remodeled our living room, these colors would be great in here. thanks for the chance.

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  59. Beautiful bargello shade! No, I have never made a bargello quilt.

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  60. I have not made a bargello quilt, but I would like to.

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  61. I have not made a bargello quilt, but my sister has made a couple. They are gorgeous! She turned one into a roman shade (like your example above). It looks like a stained glass window when the sun is coming through!

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Thanks for leaving me a comment, I love knowing what my readers think!