I started this quilt project in June of 2009 and it had quite the auspicious start.  Normally, ideas for quilt designs develop in my mind over a period of time – sometimes years.  But not this time.  Inspiration struck on a Friday morning and within a week, I had planned the overall quilt layout, sketched the center panel, chosen the color scheme, and purchased fabric!  Within another week, I was sewing.

Theme

I had already made two quilts based on Scripture:  The Lord is my Shepherd from the 23rd Psalm and Instruments of Praise based on Psalm 150.  I hadn’t even been thinking of any other passages that would translate into a quilt.  But on that Friday morning, it came to me:  John 15.  “I am the vine; you are the branches.  If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit.”  Vines and branches and fruit?  Oh yes, I could see it.  And so the journey began.

Color Scheme

My idea for the color scheme was sage green, gold and salmon – analogous, I suppose.  Next week, I’ll write a bit more about the tried-and-tested method of using a focus fabric for choosing fabrics for a quilt.  But since I didn’t have such a fabric in this case – the colors existed only in my imagination – my first task was to find one that matched my vision.  Here it is, believe it or not!  This fabric has no business being in the quilt, but the colors spoke to me.

Quilt Layout

I’m not going to show you the overall layout for this quilt.  I have to leave something as a surprise to keep you reading!  All I will tell you is that it has a rectangular center panel and multiple borders.  Over time, I will show you individual sections as I’m working on them so you can watch the quilt evolve.

Center Panel Section 1

So here’s the first section I’m going to show you.  It measures a little over 12″ square and really sets the tone for the color scheme.  There are thirteen different patches in this section and nine fabrics.  It is needle-turn appliquéd by hand, although I pieced the three fabrics in the outer frame and mitered them by machine before hand stitching them in place.