NEW YORK BEAUTY CONTEST REVEALED

Today I’m revealing my version of the Modern Medallion New York Beauty Contest Medallion (say that three times fast).

The original version of this pattern uses modern pattern fabrics teamed with low volume fabrics, but for me what I really wanted to see was this quilt in solids.

I’ve been really inspired by the work that Elizabeth Hartman is doing with solids at the moment (if you haven’t seen her Aviatrix Medallion Quilt you need to go check it out now, it’s sublime!). My work in no way compares to the magic she’s making, but seeing her having so much fun with solids has inspired me to move out of my comfort zone and start to think more about how solids can completely change a pattern and bring it alive.

With my solids inspiration in mind and my love of rainbows I just couldn’t go past picking a combination of bright solids. I picked up these solid fabrics from Spotlight. (I managed to get a meter and half of each with 40% off – woohoo!)

As much as I love Spotlight it was a bit of a drama trying to get 10 colours in a rainbow. My dark pink and red are probably too close for my liking, but what can you do. (Riddle me this, why isn’t there a store in Australia that sells the entire Kona range online?)

I have such a soft spot for black and white and I knew that I wanted to use them to compliment the colours.

Do you ever have those moments where you have a clear idea in your head about how you think something will go, but you’re never 100% that it will work out that way? That’s how I felt about this.

It wasn’t until I have the first arch sewn down that I thought it might actually turn out ok. (I just had to sneak in some pattern in there.)

I really enjoyed the free style foundation piecing, I just wish I’d thought a bit more about how the end product would look. But it’s a lesson learned and something I’ll know for next time.

I struggled getting the curved pieces to work and in the end I winged it and cut blocks 2″ bigger than the pattern stated just so I could get it to fit. But I got them to work and now I can say I’ve sewn curves.

I’m really happy with how the center medallion has come together. There’s definitely things I would do differently from a personal aesthetic if I had to do it again, but on the whole I’m quietly pleased with how it’s working out.

I like the simple, but strong, contrast between the colour and black and white. It’s amazing how much colour just pops off these.

It’s been a big learning curve and while I appreciate the free form of this pattern I’m really having a bit of a battle with “wonky” and I’ll freely admit that I unpicked a LOT during the making of this medallion.

So, this is my medallion. Next week I’ll reveal the next 2 borders. Today I’m linking up with Kristi at Schnitzel & Boo to share my medallion. Next week Melissa from Ms Midge will be hosting and she’s got a fabulous tutorial on No Waste Flying Geese that is brilliant for this pattern.