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carolyn friedlander

carolyn friedlander

fabric and pattern designer

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New Quilt Pattern: Ebb.

November 23, 2015 by carolyn friedlander 6 Comments

A colorful array of stacked crescents is where my Ebb quilt began.

Ebb quilt . Carolyn Friedlander . Carkai fabric

I’m ALWAYS a fan of projects where you can use little bits of a lot of different things. (E.g. this ongoing Arcs project, any of my Aerial Groves–here’s one, and another one, and another…) Why put a limit on the fabric when you don’t have to?

Ebb is all about that, coupled with a simple crescent shape. I kept thinking of these somewhat classic shapes sliding and layering in rows on top of each other like beads in an abacus or the way that coins slide down a coin roller.

It’s name–Ebb–seemed to fit in well with this idea while also capturing other aspects of projects (and maybe life too). There’s something about working on a project like this where it’s not only about the finished product, but also about the experience of making it. There’s the transition through the technical stages and planning, plus the visual and tactile tour of the colors and fabrics. To me this is a very entertaining way to work.

A project like this is also an important way for me to familiarize myself with a new fabric line. Getting to focus so much on each piece always makes me think of where the design originated, things I want to make with it and other pieces to pair it with. (And probably why my dream to-make list is forever growing!)

Carolyn Friedlander Ebb quilt . quilting

Color is obviously another big aspect of this project. I wanted there to be a color story, but didn’t feel the need for it to be the most predictable or obvious one. As I cut out the pieces, I laid them down, mixing and moving things around as the number of shapes grew. For me this is a fun way to work–not having a definite endpoint in mind, but leaving an openness to figuring it out as it goes. In doing this, I realized certain (and sometimes surprising) combinations that I really liked–for example the very black pieces next to the pickle-y green and wasabi sections. That’s so yummy to me.

The background was chosen after auditioning many. It’s mostly Kona Meringue with a side bit of one of the white on white prints from Carkai. All of the other pieces are from Carkai along with the new Doe and Architextures crosshatch coordinates. (Which are all included in the Carkai charm pack, and what you can work from for this project).

Here’s a snippet of one of my Quilt Market booth walls which celebrated the color range of the line. You can see Ebb holding its own in a way that’s different from Everglade (to the left) and Envelopes (below).

carolyn friedlander . ebb, envelopes and everglade quilts . carkai fabric

Ebb is also hitting shops now as well as available here.

#ebbquilt

#colorisfun

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Erin Myone Monfort-Nelson says

    November 23, 2015 at 6:43 pm

    Its really lovely, Carolyn. I really enjoy your unique play of shapes and colors in all of your quilts. Its wonderful to read your thought process.

    Reply
  2. susanrechel says

    November 25, 2015 at 3:51 pm

    I loved seeing this one. When I first saw Carkai on your website I started picturing it in aerial grove. I’ve made two aerial grove quilts and now I might just have to do a third! no, I’ll try for some variety, the second one still needs a back…

    Reply
  3. Lisa says

    December 2, 2015 at 1:40 pm

    love this simplicity and quietness of this design. I’m curious did you quilt the background fabric first then add the colors or vice versa ?

    Many thanks
    L

    Reply

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