Something happened on the way to the sewing machine…

Okay, I admit it, I caved and started the Bonnie Hunter mystery quilt, Grand Illusion.  Deep down I knew I likely would…I just know I likely won’t have time to complete it and I hate starting things that I am almost certain will fall into the UFO pile.

So after I read the clue #1 I thought about what I had planned…this.

Grand-Illusion

It’s all nice and lovely fabric..the colors are Bonnie’s.  The colors are fine….but I typically keep “Bonnie” quilts and don’t give them away…so what was I doing making it out of this??  A quilt in Civil War reproductions would look much better in my house!

So before I ever started I changed my mind…. SURPRISE!!??

I ended up going to my tried and true stash and pulled this.   I had tried to find black but had very little in my stash.  Kelli suggested the brown and I decided to just go with the brown.

Grand-illusion-fabric
These colors are much more me.

I did skip ahead and did one unit…okay two units just to see what I thought of the color….

Grand-illusion-clue-one
This is what I am going with…like it or love it, the Civil War prints won out.

One of the reasons I decided this was when we did Orca Bay.  When I made mine, I think mine would have looked better if I had lighter blues.

Ocra_Bay_Front
I ended up with darker blues next to the blacks and it just didn’t pop like I had hoped.

Using the brown instead of the black this time around might help so that doesn’t happen again…besides I had plenty brown in my stash…not much black.  I have to also admit, I’ve learned that I like to make mine different from the original…even if it’s only slightly different.

Now the challenge…can I keep up with the clues?!  Stop back Monday and I’ll show you my progress.

8 thoughts on “Something happened on the way to the sewing machine…”

  1. I love your fabrics, Jo! I am using civil war reproduction fabrics in my quilt also as they are my happy fabrics. I have the first clue all cut out and am anxiously waiting for a group of friends to come over on Monday so we can work on our quilts together.

  2. LOL…I’ve been waffling about whether to join in this year or not too. I still haven’t committed. I would have to come up with a different color scheme too. I like your choices. I may have to dig a bit tomorrow and if something jumps out at me, I’ll be jumping on the band wagon.

  3. Your colors are wonderful! I also am not a fan of Bonnie’s original colors, but your are outstanding. I too may peruse my stash and see what I have. I have not even finished Easy Street yet…the top is done. but I need to quilt it.

    See what you have done now…?!!! Another possible pre UFO

  4. Hi,
    I keep my bonnie hunter quilts also. So that means I change the colors up. This time around , I used coral instead of pink. ( I am NOT a fan of pink.). I love how your are looking. Great choices. I love the brown.

  5. I have fabrics in my stash that are in your blocks! I know it is ridiculous to be so excited over a little tiny thing like that, but it makes me feel connected to other quilters. I figured you would join us. . .I have Orca Bay and Easy Street and Celtic Solstice in my UFO pile. . .what is one more??? I have part 1 all cut and 11 blocks sewn. I will most likely not be able to keep up, but maybe will get caught up over Christmas break. . .

  6. Judy D in upstate NY

    Jo, I decided to do my Grand Illusion in Civil War Repo’s also and am also using brown instead of black. I gave Orca Bay to my nephew for a wedding gift, Celtic Solstice ( when I finish it) is going to be a wedding gift for my son and I wanted to keep this quilt. I love Bonnie’s colors but they go with NOTHING in my house! Needless to say I also wanted to use some of my stash. So I am in absolute agreement with you on colors.
    By the way, your new home is looking wonderful!

  7. The Grand Ilusion colors work well in Florida. I wanted a quilt to commemorate a visit we made to Mackinaw and the Grand Hotel (we didn’t sleep there). I have sime fabulous photos my hubby took on the island that I plan to print on fabric for the back. I think your Civil War choices will be fantastic for your quilt…and your new house. I’m getting excited as the work comes together for you.

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