Sweet Freesia for spring?

While the weather outside can't decide whether it's spring or winter, I'm pulling out Sweet Freesia because it makes me think of lilacs blooming in spring.  I know freesia and lilacs aren't the same thing.  Right now, while I'm wishing for spring to settle in and stay, I wish I'd named the pattern Sweet Lilacs, but I didn't and it's out in the world as Sweet Freesia, so...

Sweet Lilacs Freesia by Canuck Quilter Designs
Fabric: Heavy Metal from Island Batik
Photographed in summer 2023

Maybe I'm stuck on the lilacs because lilacs come in these colours.  These are fabrics from Island Batik's Heavy Metal collection.  Take a closer look.  The colors may suggest lilacs, but the prints have a different theme.

It has gears and bicyles and propellers.  It really doesn't scream flowers, but when you cut it all up into smaller pieces the colours take over and the rest is just texture.  That's my story and I'm sticking to it.  Here it is, all cut up.  I think the colours are prettier in the actual fabrics than in the digital swatches above.

Here's hint about what kind of piecing I used to make the quilt.

Corner Monster and Trimming Monster plotting
 to take over the world - or at least the sewing room

If you guessed some HST and QST oversized to trim to perfection, and some stitch-and-flip sewing, you win a round of applause. I know stitch-and-flip corners can be wasteful, but they open up so many design options, or at least simplify them.  If you're not familiar with this technique or struggle with it, check out this blog post for tips.

I just love these colours and the texture from the prints.  I find it hard to remember back to when I didn't like purples.

I'm thinking of making another version of this quilt in red and green prints for Christmas.  This pattern is fat quarter friendly and I have a bundle of red and green fat quarters that has been sitting on the shelf for far too long.  I just need to find just the right background to pair with the rest.

If you'd like to see this on a darker background, hop over to Connecting Threads to see how they kitted Sweet Freesia.

******

I'm off to prep next week's Two-Colour Mystery quilt along clue.  This week's clue is ready to land in participants' inbox tomorrow at 9 am CT.  Hint below!

Thanks to Katie and her gift of googly eyes, my monsters have clearer vision now.
Should I be worried their takeover plotting might get more effective? 

It's almost time for the big reveal!  This week is your last chance to sign up for free.  After I reveal the block next week, you'll have to buy the pattern if you want to make the quilt.  It's a pretty one, trust me :)

Happy quilting,

Joanne

To make your own Sweet Freesia, buy the PDF pattern in my Etsy shop or ask for a print copy at your favourite quilt shop.  Island Batik's Heavy Metal is in shops now.