I’ve decided to do my version of The Farmer’s Wife using Kona Solid Fabrics. I made my initial selection of fabrics, which you can see above, from my newly acquired Kona Color Card. It was really difficult trying to get a good variety of colors and values just working with small chips and trying to keep a memory of the colors I wanted while ignoring the colors I didn’t want. I did my best, however, to get started knowing I could fill in any gaps later.

Kudos, by the way, to The Fat Quarter Shop for packaging their yardage in exactly the same order as they are listed on the packing list. This is no small convenience when it comes to labeling yardage that is very close in color.

These colors were chosen to work with the first few areas that I will encounter in my color wash quilt. I’ve chosen to use the plan created by the fine people at Paper Pieces, the best source of pre cut papers for English Paper Piecing.

Here is the full plan as executed with patterned fabrics by Art Gallery Fabrics.

Here is a closeup of the area I’ll be starting with using Paper Pack #1 from Paper Pieces.

And here is a super useful chart showing how to overlap colors for a smooth wash effect. This chart happens to illustrate that the placement of blocks in the quilt sometimes differs from the placement plan, but I do not find that an issue.

I got the brilliant idea to choose additional fabrics by using a digital version of the color guide, my recently purchased and meticulously labeled fabrics, and my Kona Color Card. I came up with an extensive list of fabrics to order from The Fat Quarter Shop, but I’m holding off because I want to get moving with block construction. While I work on blocks I will let my thoughts about value and contrast jell. After all I’ve got sashing, cornerstones, and borders to consider.

The color guide line drawing is going to be helpful as I navigate my way through this daunting project. I’m psyched! Who is with me?