Today, I’m very happy to review the book ‘Modern Rainbow’ by Rebecca Bryan of Bryan House Quilts. I met Becca about 2 years ago at Quilt Market; she was at a talk that I was participating in, and it was nice to meet her since I was nervous about speaking!
I personally love using rainbows in the quilts that I work on; my City Sampler Quilt and Dream Weaver quilt are two examples. I was very much looking forward to Becca’s book and reviewing it for my blog. When I review a book I like to present a project that I’ve made from the book because I feel that it (hopefully) enhances my review for you, the reader. Plus I wouldn’t waste my time making something that I didn’t like. I actually received an e-mail from someone last month that said that they hated a quilt that I had made and reviewed on my blog and said that they were tired of people glowingly reviewing their friends’ books and projects. I felt quite disappointed as the work I was reviewing was that of my #1 idol and I was reviewing it because I love her work and I make just about everything she comes out with (plus the quilt that this person said that she hated currently resides on my son’s bed and we love it). Anyway, I’m not saying that this kind of thing never happens among bloggers (or even by myself), but I do try my hardest to present things that I really love on my blog. I’m not saying everyone has to love it as well, because everyone has their own opinion, but…Anyway.
So I wanted to show some projects from ‘Modern Rainbow’ and then I wanted to show you the project that I decided to make from the book.
My most favorite and most unique project from the book is called ‘Huckleberry’. As you can see, this quilt really allows the colors and quilting to shine. This is made using a combination of hexagon piecing and a bit of curves. I really wanted to make this quilt but I figured I wouldn’t be able to finish in time. It’s definitely going on my backburner (would be great for the new Tula Pink ‘True Colors’).
Another of my favorites is ‘Flame’. The piecing instructions seems fairly straightforward, and this would be a great project to use up some of your scraps on. After each diamond is pieced, everything goes together in rows. I also like that a bunch of neutral diamonds are thrown into the quilt.
‘Rainbow Remix’ was hanging at QuiltCon back in February. I like the improv style a lot, and have so far not done any work like this, although I think the quilt is gorgeous!
And of course, what sold me on this book to begin with…this quilt is called ‘Wavelength’. It’s just so crazy good…I’m looking forward to making it in solids, probably similar to how the original looks (it’s that good).
The quilt I decided to make (pictured here from the book) was ‘The Impossible Rainbow’. It wasn’t my favorite from the book (although it’s certainly beautiful), but sometimes certain fabrics call for a certain match in a quilt pattern. I love working with solids, but I wanted to make a project with Tula’s ‘Elizabeth’ line that came out in shops last month. I thought the imagery in ‘Elizabeth’ was a good match for the bead-like crystals in this quilt pattern. Since I actually made this project, I thought that the instructions were well-written and easy to follow, and there were also suggestions given which give you leeway to slightly adjust the pattern to make it your own. I had a charm pack of Elizabeth, which I cut to varying sizes from 5″ down to 3″ (the pattern is working with smaller squares than that). I wanted less solid showing on the background, so I cut my background strips half the size as the original pattern.
I wish I could show you the completed project; unfortunately, fate was working against me. I started working on this, thinking it would just be a baby quilt, but I kind of loved it and wanted to make it at least a twin size. However, I was out of both main fabric and background fabric (background fabric was American Made deep purple solid). While I was waiting for the fabric to come in the mail, I got hit with a whole bunch of last-minute projects all with short deadlines, and so even though I now have enough fabric, I have no time. So what you see from my pictures is half of the quilt; I plan to double it length-wise. And it’s also unfortunate because I had a longarmer lined up and also bought this really awesome quilt backing from I Heart Tula Pink (I only own 2 of the backings, because while I’d like to own them all I’d probably feel guilty about spending so much).
I hope you enjoyed this review of Modern Rainbow. It really is a well-written book; I think there are projects that are both easy and more complex (most of the quilts that I showed in this post are of the more complex – although completely doable!). A combination of solid quilts and print quilts are shown, which I think is also good inspiration for a variety of quilters. I can’t wait to get back to my project!!
Lovely quilts – love the bold bright colours!
I just love the quilts in this book – they just make me happy to look at them! I want to make every one of them!!!
I love hexies and rainbow color ways, so I was all in when I saw Huckleberry. Great review, thank you. And what a wonderful interpretation of the Impossible Rainbow with your Tula Pink fabrics!
Your quilt will be lovely, I’m sure! This looks like a great book.
I love the notion of rainbowing a quilt with systematic color changes. On the other had it is fun to see your adaptation of this pattern.
Your quilts are superlative and I too, love many of the quilts in Modern Rainbow — so much that I can’t even decide which to make first (unlike you!). Thanks for your review and worry not about the unhappy viewer response that you mentioned (hard to please all, and if you love the quilt that is what matters most).
I love this book and especially Huckleberry! Thanks for the review and your lovely quilt. (And I find it plain mean that someone just HAD to criticize your previous review and quilt!)
Love the en point look of your quilt in progress.
I love reading honest reviews of quilting books, but especially when the reviewer has gone that extra mile and actually made something from the book. Another favourite type of blog post is a progress post. So this post, which presses both buttons, was really great to read. I love the quilt and agree that the Elizabeth fabric has just the right vibe for that pattern. Love your blue background too. Thanks for sharing! Lovely 🙂
HI,LIKING THE LOOKS OF THIS BOOK! THANKS FOR SHARING ON THE MODERNRAINBOW TOUR!
It’s a gorgeous book full of pinks! I love the same quilts that you featured, and would love to try some of them, too!
I really like the quilt you chose!
Sara, I can’t believe a reader emailed you that complaint. Yikes. I am so sorry! You’ll be coming to one of my LQS next month to teach your Holland bag. I won’t be able to attend bc of a family birthday. It would have been fun to have finally met you. Have fun!
I just adore rainbow quilts. Your Impossible Rainbow is going to be fabulous!
Your quilt will be wonderful. I love Tula Pink, just haven’t brought myself to spend the money.
I turn more and more towards modern quilting, and I love the bold colors and designs of the quilts in the book!
I know your quilt will turn out lovely!
I like that you used prints in your version. It gives such a different look.
I like your quilt and you using prints.sometimes when I buy a pattern or book I try and make it look like that quilt instead of trying to make my own with my own fabrics. Thanks for sharing
Yumminess in all seven colors of the rainbow and then some. I want it, I need it, I gotta have it!!!
Sew Preeti Quilts
Beautiful designs!
Thank you for a thoughtful review. The quilt you are working on is lovely and it will be a pleasure to see it finished.
I love that actually made something from the book. Thank you for the thoughtful and honest review!
ty for sharing your quilts very pretty and nice ideas……
Love rainbow quilts!!
I like Tula Pink also! However. I am loving the solids on this book!
Love the Impossible Rainbow! Great job!
Thanks for showing some of the quilts from this book. They are really nice.
This looks a great book – I love Huckleberry too!
Love love love huckleberry. Thank you for the review
I’d love to have acopy of this book. The quilts are lovely!
I love color and am especially in love with the rainbow – no need to try to choose just one favorite color. And this book looks so great. I would love a copy. kathleendotlutzatcomcastdotnet
Love these designs… especially Huckleberry. Your quilt will be stunning. I need to learn to use the dark colors in the negative spaces…
Thanks for the review – the quilts are fabulous and I love everyone of them.
Your quilt is going to be gorgeous! That solid is an amazing color and the back…Omigosh!
It looks great!
Informative review. That’s what I’m leaning to appreciate about quilting (and sewing)–patterns and designs are just sparks to ignite your own project. Yours is looking good.
I would definitely make the quilt that you chose, stunning.