Monday, October 6, 2014

The Trouble with Tula...


So fair warning: this post is frustrating.  I'm frustrated, therefore I'm trying to get it out by posting here, which may end up with you being frustrated.  But you were warned.

I bought this layer cake the second it hit the shop.  I'm obsessed with Tula Pink because her prints look absolutely insane but beautiful.  Who wouldn't love a giant Parisian ship pompadour print?


Naturally, I jumped on the chance to get a little bit of a whole line.  I had grand visions of making a quilt with just this line (something I never do and feels very exotic to me), but the longer I look at all these crazy prints together, the less convinced I am that I'm in love.  


There are absolute hits, like this blue camping scene, but then it's next to these pastel pinks to the left and melons and oranges to the right.  I just don't think it works for me!


And I've already got a Staple dress that I made from the navy deer print, but that pink one above makes my brain hurt.

So now I have to decide whether I want to abandon my plan to make one quilt out of all these, or to scrap the original plan and come up with a new quilt idea.


The original plan was to make the cover quilt from Dana's Imagine Quilts.  I was thinking of using some dark grey sashing and maybe a navy background for the round bits.  But I'm not sure I want to put all the effort into those curved seams if I'm not sure I'll absolutely love the result.

My other thoughts are to do a Sparkle Punch quilt a la Oh Fransson! Or maybe a plus quilt similar to this one from Film in the Fridge.  Both are fairly simple and quick to make, and would break up the prints so they aren't so in your face.

Anyone have any thoughts?  I'm pretty open to suggestions at this point because I want to get this done so I like the fabric again!





13 comments:

  1. Try to sort them out by color groups. It may still work for you than. At least some sort of color order works for me :) Sashing or background fabric will also break out the madness you see at the moment. Take your time!

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  2. I would start by kicking out the prints you don't like and adding other prints. I make one-line quilts occasionally but my favorite part of quilting is mixing fabric. (Then, sit on the squares you don't use for 3 years and destash for exorbitant prices.)

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  3. You could arrange them in rows with solid colors in between, so you can group ones together, maybe with a bit of color gradient going on. :D Though I do like the film in the fridge quilt.... And Laura's idea is a pretty good one too. :D

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  4. I was also thinking some solids in there might help. If you picked a few colours that matched the 'odd' ones maybe it would help it look more cohesive? I haven't been fussed on Tula's latest lines except for a handful of prints. Mostly because I get that crazy eclectic feeling from them too -- almost like they were just added at the last minute by pulling a design out of a hat.

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  5. I think with these bold prints you need to give them some space and mix in solids or blenders for sure. I think maybe a color gradient in the quilt would be good so the coordinating colors are grouped together. I do love Tula Pink's fabrics very much but they can be a challenge.

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  6. I am totally with Vera on this one - color grouping! I would probably be able to fall back in love with color order and some sashing to break things up / tone them down a bit. Good luck - they are gorgeous prints and I want you to love them and the quilt you make with them!

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  7. I'm another one who agrees with the colour gradient idea. I absolutely adore Tula Pink fabrics, but haven't cut into my stash yet because I foresee the same frustration. Her fabrics look the most striking when they are lined up like a rainbow :-)

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  8. Lots of sashing, and splashes of colour and I think it will look amazing :-)

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  9. I'm making a flowering snowball quilt all in Tula, and I hear you! I'm using a grey background and omitting some prints. Then I'm sorting into cools and warms. That's as far as I've gotten. I may do a gradient (color dive style) or add some solids. There are so many great prints but scrappy placement is just not aesthetically pleasing unless there is something to anchor the design (gradient or sashing or such). Good luck!

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  10. With the right background fabric I think these will live together nicely - side by side not so much, I can see exactly what you mean. I find it hard to put Tula prints with other designers prints too - there's a certain style to them that's for sure!

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  11. I visited your blog after seeing your Round Robin start - I loved it. Then I read some of your posts but couldn't see all the photos as something isn't quite right since Apple did their updates. Anyway, I think you're right about adding a solid and gray or pale blue, lavender, or pink may do it. The squares seem quite strong to me. How about mellowing them with triangles or a piece through the square?

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  12. I agree with Vera sort them by color groups and see if you can color block like that plus quilt. It will be super easy to make and if you don't love the result than you didn't invest too much time. Best of wishes, this is why I only by one or two Tula prints otherwise I would be in your position frustrated and overwhelmed! They are beautify and CRAZY!

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  13. For my two cents: those busy prints do not look good beside each. Other. Add fabric that is plain or small scale, very simple, for contrast.

    My other thought is that since you love the prints so much, why not split them up so you can enjoy them in more than one place?

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Go on! Comment! I love reading what you think! -m