Are you all chickened out yet?! I hope not!
When I first started designing this Chickens pattern I made a version with a white background, unlike the grey background I used for the cover quilt.
Choosing fabrics for these quilts was the hardest/most fun part. I threw in a few fun blues, but kept the hens pretty neutral. I'll post links to some of the fabrics I used for this version at the bottom of this post. And yes...a tall soda is required for a long afternoon sewing, which is rare around this house!
My favorite block:
After I made this version I made quite a few pattern tweaks, including the height of the red combs.
It looked too much like these hens were sporting red mohawks.
So many times when I'm working on a new design or quilt I get the quilt almost finished and realize I NEED to tweak something and remake it. Usually it's a huge pain...but the little tweaks nag at me until finally I just fix them, remake the quilt, and move on!
Even though this wasn't my final quilt I went ahead and finished it, and I love how it turned out with the white background! It looks so different with the grey background (in this post).
Kaitlyn quilted this for me again with the chicken wire design (it's really called a honeycomb design I think).
Isn't that backing the cutest??!
Which do you like better? A grey background or a white background? I honestly can't decide which I like more.
The Chickens pattern can be found here as a PDF, or here as a Paper pattern.
Here are some of the fabrics I purchased (some were from my stash). I put the names in case they sell out so you can find them:
White Background Fabric: Moda Bella Solids Off-White 9900-200 (I use this in EVERYTHING!)
Backing Fabric: Urban Cottage Ivory and Black Words to Live By 108 Wide Back (the ivory is sold out, but the gray is cute, and so is the black)
Nests: Bella Solids in Hay Feet: I don't remember...whoops!
Combs: (this is a similar hue to what i used) Blossom in Red
Hen bodies/blocks:
The polka dot is old (sorry!), but this, this, this, this, and this, are cute dot prints varying in dot size.
Boots & Spurs Brown Boots Dot, Riley Blake
Bedrock Gravel Stone Texture, Windham Fabrics
Large Hashtag Black, Riley Blake
Moon Harvest Hearts in Black, Dear Stella
Architextures Charcoal Crosshatch, Robert Kaufman
Feline Myself Ash Hearts, Dear Stella
Uncorked Metallic Denim, Windham Fabrics
Danice G
I actually love both the grey and the white backgrounds. A very cute pattern and quilt. I love that the pattern has three sizes as well.
Allison
Thank you!
Carla Bataran
I love both quilts but not quite equally. For me, the white background wins. They are adorable and a wonderful fun quilt. Sigh, I usually am able to pass by quilt ideas or add one or two to my long list of to do ideas. I tend to be a ‘one at a time kinda of gal’. Lol, I am happiest when I am organized therefore I prefer to be sewing one quilt from start to finish before starting another one. Alison, you got me on this one. Not only do I love all of your quilts and blog but I really love this quilt. I have made Scout (favorite). Suburbs and Simple Addition, All I have left on my current quilt is to finish sewing a ‘rag back’. A term and technique I learned from a visiting Australian quilter. Yes, it takes longer but I get to use some fabrics that otherwise would have languished for years. I bed that I will be making two of these chicken quilts! I have always wanted to make a chicken quilt, yes we have 6, but up until now, wasn’t enamored with any of the pattern choices and not inspired to appliqué. So, when I get up in the morning, I am going to purchase this quilt pattern. To end, I LOVE my finished Scout quilt.
Allison
I'm so glad you love your Scout quilt! That was a fun pattern to make. I love the idea of making a "rag back" too...I need to do that and use up some of my fabrics that I don't really LOVE any more but I still have on my shelf. Thanks for the idea!
Little Quiltsong
Love both of them! Each has its specialty. Love the fabrics you used in each one. You made such a cute design with these. The quilting is perfect!
Allison
THank you! The quilting does really make these quilts come alive!
lee
I do love the white background - makes those chickens really stand out! I love the chicken quilts!!
Allison
It does! Thank you!
Debbie
I would love to make this as a smaller version...as a table runner...or a wall hanging for my kitchen.
Allison
That would be darling! The small version is 9 blocks and small enough for a wall hanging or table runner.
Pat S
Yes, I like both. It would be hard to choose. Maybe the white, but I'm not sure. lol I'm really interested in your pegboard, too. It looks different than those I've had in the past. I finally gave up on pegboard b/c the hooks kept falling out. Yours looks like they might stay in place.
Allison
It's the BEST pegboard I've tried....it's from Ikea and worth trekking through the store for!
Hedy
I love the White totally. I’m just not much into gray at all. The quilts turned out great. I’m not a lover of chicken unless it’s Popeyes!
Allison
White makes everything POP! And I agree...can't go wrong with Popeyes chickens! ;)
Laura
I thought I would like the white best until I saw the gray. Now I can't make up my mind. Both are great!
Allison
Same here I love them both!
Wynn
Chickens with Mohawks! I love that idea!
Allison
Haha it could be a thing! ;)
Bernadine
I love both! How about the chickens from the gray quilt on a white background? I also noticed your tool hanging system. The shelf attachment is really useful. Keeps those rulers (and everything else) off of the work surface.
Allison
Thank you! That shelf system is from Ikea and it's great!
Rosemaryflower
I like them both. I can't decide either. I do love the mohawk idea, .... say in polka dot purple or neon yellow, or something crazy. Well, if I only had time. I would
Allison
LOL that would be hilarious!
Sheila
Another cute pattern. Thanks for paying attention to details and working until you get it right. That's why I love your patterns. Personally I like the gray background. But that's what quilting is all about...finding fabrics that make it your quilt.
Allison
Thank you! I think the grey is my favorite too...but I love the way the white makes them POP!
lesleyshepherd4342
Love both the white and the grey background. I kept looking at the chickens, they need eyes to finish them and give character.
Allison
They would be cute with eyes! I couldn't decide whether I'd want eyes though...the chickens would be staring at me. :)
Sue H
Love them both but, if I had to choose, I'd pick gray. Another fun pattern!
Allison
Thank you Sue!
Chookyblue
Love the chooks.... I think I want to make the standing ones into a quilt......
Carla Kennedy
I think I'm leaning towards the white background especially with the honeycomb quilting motif. That backing is really cute.
Shannon
hello,
We just came across your quilt today. I hope you see this message. We are wondering if those fat 8th packs work for you chicken bodies. I think they are 9"Lx 22"W. Thanks!
Charlotte Most
How did you get the honeycomb quilting motif? I am working on the big one with grey background and I want to know how to do that quilting stitch. This will be my first quilt, for my mother, she just loves chickens.
I bought the chicken pattern through annies catalog, but the pattern download did not cover the quilt stitch. Please help. I don't think it will be as cute without the "chicken wire" look on it.
thanks,