Monday, October 3, 2011

New Projects

Since I have been wanting to focus on crib and doll reproduction quilts for some time, I thought I would look in my closet for a project. All of the fabric and pattern notes were set aside for this star crib quilt top. It was great fun to sew from a limited stack of backgrounds, and of reds/pinks. The alternate block is a Pat Nichols, and there is just enough of the outer triangle fabric to make binding, single-fold, if I choose. This little quilt top has been waiting to be made for over a decade.
This Atkinson Designs quilt called "Chain of Lakes" has been on the to-do list since it first caught my eye.
While I adore the quilt just as it is, I don't work much with 30s repros, so I bought some light blues at the Madison Quilt Show a few weeks ago. My local shop had a few more, and the rest were from stash. There really was a need to purchase fabric because I didn't have many lighter blues. Scads of dark blues though! I'm not sure what the chain fabric will be yet. There is one that I have in mind, but it is an odd color, and I''ll have to cut some up to see if it will work. The pattern is for strip piecing, and I may cut squares instead. I'm afraid that the repeats will be too obvious otherwise. Is that crazy? It will certainly add to the time it takes to make this.
And, an entirely new project, but this is a doll quilt, so hopefully it will be done soon. Maybe I will get some progress made on it today, but I'd better get back to the laundry and house cleaning first!

25 comments:

Impera Magna said...

Wow... lots of new projects! Love that blue and red Irish chain pattern!

Love your star quilt... lovely fabrics and colors!

Kyle said...

Your doll reproduction quilt is TERRIFIC! It really evokes antique. I smiled when I read, "I'm going to make this pattern, but might change this, don't know about..." LOL. We quilters are such a delightful and creative bunch. Can't wait to see what you come up with.

Janet O. said...

Beautiful star crib quilt, Jan! It really has a vintage look.
I like your choice of blues for the chain quilt, and now I am very curious about the color you might put with all of those light blues. You have me imagining all kinds of possibilities.
That little doll quilt already looks so cute. Interested to see what the whole pattern is going to be.
All wonderful projects!

Betty Lou said...

What a beautiful star quilt, and the others will be a lot of fun to make. Laundry and cleaning certainly cut into our sewing time.

Maureen said...

Love the star quilt! especially the setting square fabric. Love pink and red together.
I often take the longer route to get more variety so it makes sense to me. The blues - I have so many but I see only one in your stack that is also in my stash. So pretty. I'm like Janet, curious about what color you will use for the chain.

Ann Marie said...

Well worth the 10-year wait for that star quilt. It's lovely.

I like the Chain of Lakes pattern. You could try cutting the strips in half so they're about 21 inches long to vary the combinations and still go the strip-piecing route.

Just how odd is the odd color?

regan said...

I'm glad I'm not the only one that would cut squares just to keep it from being matchy matchy! Thanks! If it's supposed to be random....I want it to be REALLY random! And if it takes a bit more time....so be it!

LOVE your stars quilt....gorgeous fabrics, too! And I can't wait to see what your chain fabric will be with all those blues....hmmmmm.

Thelma said...

Your blue collection is lovely, I think that will make an amazing Chain of Lakes. I struggle with blues, I hardly have any in my stash, the red, now I could come up with some reds very easily. Will be eager to see this one come together.

Vivian said...

Your quilt blocks have aged well over these 10 years. The combination of fabrics is just lovely.
If I wanted to avoid obvious repeated sequences, I'd take the time to cut the individual squares too. I'm sure you'll be happy you took the extra time.
My light blue collection is pretty anemic too, but if I need mediums and darks, I have plenty of those.
Your projects are all winners.

Jo said...

I always love the quilts that you are working on!

Barb said...

Your quilt is amazing!!

Karen said...

The fabrics in the star quilt were aging and mellowing so they would be just perfect when the time came to use them. Sort of like cheese. The alternate block fabric is a good one. I have not seen it before.

YankeeQuilter said...

Your little star quilt is beautiful! Like you I tend to limit my strip piecing to avoid getting too match-y on my scrap quilts...

antique quilter said...

you always inspire me by what your working on, both of you!
love the fabrics you chose for the doll quilt just beautiful
chain of lakes is so pretty in YOUR colors!
can't wait to see it started!
Kathie

Jenn at The Little Shop of Stitches said...

How big is your doll quilt? I've been thinking about making one for my niece.

Lori said...

What a sweet small star quilt!! The center fabric is perfect!!

Chain of lakes is so pretty and I cant wait to see what your chain fabric will be.

Dawn said...

The crib quilt is beautiful - the colors and fabric choices are perfect! What a great collection of fabrics.

I can see the individual squares with the chain - really adds to the scrappy look. Can hardlay wait to see your chain color, and the doll quilt!

Fun post!

Marilyn Robertson said...

I have a hard time strip piecing too sometimes as I always want a ramdom look with the fabric placing. I don't blame you one bit for wanting to piece the squares! I love the star quilt and the fabrics you chose!

Una said...

Such beautiful projects, Jan! Must have been fun to be able to readily sew up the stars. Your blues (!) are lovely - many favorites there too:) Could you do a little of both - strip piecing AND one at at time? I would love to see your chain fabric - the 'crazier' the better...;) Take care. U

Taryn said...

Your soft blues are so pretty. I think your effort in changing the construction to squares instead of strips will be rewarded. We are all wondering what the other color will be. I am also anxious to see how your doll quilt turns out.

Nicky said...

Beautiful crib quilt and your other projects look interesting too!

Annette said...

Your little quilt is gorgeous! All the fabrics go perfectly together. I'm looking forward to seeing your chain quilt come together.

Barb said...

OMG I love your evening star quilt - it is fabulous colors!!!
Have fun on the chain quilt, looking forward to seeing it too

Brooke said...

Chain of Lakes has caught my eye too. Love your fabric choices. That one will be fun for sure!!

Mary said...

I love the blues you picked out for your Chain of Lakes quilt...my favorite color.