Chinoiserie - Where East Meets West

Chinoiserie Collection by Anna Griffin

CONTEST IS OVER. Congratulations to Deborah B of Michigan.

A new fabric collection by Anna Griffin has a name I can't pronounce, but I am captivated by its beauty and elegance. Chinoiserie just takes my breath away. But, as I always say: Words mean things. And what does this mysterious word mean? Let Wikipedia help you (as they helped me).

Chinoiserie, a French term, signifying "Chinese-esque", and pronounced [ʃinwazʁi]) refers to a recurring theme in European artistic styles since the seventeenth century, which reflect Chinese artistic influences. It is characterized by the use of fanciful imagery of an imaginary China, by asymmetry in format and whimsical contrasts of scale, and by the attempts to imitate Chinese porcelain and the use of lacquerlike materials and decoration.

^{A stack of books covered in Chinoserie and a pillow bolster. And the quilt in the background . . .}

Enough of words! What did I do with it? Do you remember my blog post in late October with the Halloween quilt created with 8 squares cut with the motifs in the exact spot on each one? It's my "go-to" pattern I call Spinning Pinwheels, and if you go peek at the steps, I'll wait right here for you.

I cut 8 squares 9-1/2" x 9-1/2" with the print in the exact location on each one

 You can't agonize about where to place the ruler (I used a 9-1/2" square). Just find points of reference so you can cut them all the same.

All 8 squares have the same motif placement

Stack them so all the raw edges are aligned. Then cut the stack vertically, horizontally and along both diagonals. Put a new blade in your cutter so you don't risk slipping and making a bad cut.

Eight stacks of eight triangles each (from the Blossom print)

OK, OK. I know you're asking: how much yardage does this take? There is no definitive answer. A lot depends on the repeat of the design, but because I only used a 9-1/2" square ruler, I was able to achieve my matching squares from 3/4 yards of fabric. You can't fail with 1-1/2 to 2 yards of fabric and use any remainder for other things.

One stack of matching triangles, each turned 45 degrees to its neighbor

I next cut 4 squares (not 8) of the wonderful teal and white print (Pavillion Turquoise), and then cut those into 8 triangles.

I also cut 2-1/8" x 6-1/2" strips of the Pavillion  Turquoise and then placed them in the "empty" spaces next to the triangles.

Spinning Pinwheels Block. Finished size approximately 11-1/4"

This is NOT a quick project but it is very exciting as you discover each new block is SO different from the previous ones. Remember, all 8 of these blocks were cut from a single print repeat! This is NOT Stack 'n Whack (though it does have some similar looks). This is SO EASY once the squares are cut.

The marvelous Peacock print for setting triangles

Here is my quilt center so far and then closeups of the various blocks. Don't you just love, love this fabric and this technique? I have borders planned, of course!

Block 1

Block 2

Block 3

Block 4

Block 5

Block 6

Block 7

Block 8

OK. What else did I make and what is the prize?

Used a fancy gift bag as a pattern (Prosperity Pink on the outside)

Gift bag from the side (Bamboo Green used for lining)