Vacation's Over

There was a little sewing going on during vacation - there would have been alot more if I hadn't pulled the table out from under the featherweight!  Damage was done, but hubby assures me he can fix it 'as good as new'.  Girls (Lexie - 9 and Elle - 10) decided on a snuggle quilt - 12 '9 patch' blocks each.  I purchased a jelly roll of a line I thought they'd like (better than my favorite repro stash) - it worked out well.  I did alot of cutting, pinning, and trimming and they did a little sewing.  We'll pick back up next vacation when the machine is feeling better.  They did a great job and had alot of fun. 

I don't have much to share on my own progress (nada progress!), so I'm sharing some photos from John Sauls' Antiques taken at Houston show last year - beautiful display and gracious vendor!  I don't have access to a photo editor, so please excuse the picture quality.

 

I'm Serious About This One...

This was my favorite quilt from the exhibit in Indianapolis. I have every good intention of making my own version of this dynamic quilt. The vibrant red fabric used in the side triangles, and outer border really grabbed my attention.
When I saw the online swatchs of the new Crossroads to Texas line by Betsy Chutchian, there was a perfect, equally striking bold print on deep blue. So, mine won't be a replica, but I hope to do it justice!Fun description of this quilt...Block measurement... Border measurement...When the fabric arrives, I'll be good to sew!

Bye, Bye, Blackbird

When life gets a tad trying, I retreat by planning a new project - browsing thru quilt books, calculating yardage, auditioning fabric...  I 'pack up all my care and woe' and fill my head with new possibilities.  Quilts of Virginia 1607 - 1899  traveled with me last week.  I was drawn to the 'Martz Quilt', dated 1838, on pg 75.  It's a simple quilt, but very pleasing to the eye.  Things are still in the sample stage (and it doesn't look like much just yet), but I'm nearing some decisions.  I don't mind having alot of 'projects in flight' - I need the visual reminder.  

Janet asked about the quilt in the blog header.  The quilt was on exhibit at the Chicago International Quilt Festival in 2010.  I call it 'Eagles and Roses'. 

My four grandchildren (from two families) are visiting next week.  The girls (9 and 10) want to make doll quilts.  Can't wait!

    

Indianapolis Amish/Design Wall

Only two quilts to share today, but lots of detail shots because these photos came out so well. You can really see the luschious, deep saturated color.

An Amish star quilt...

Oh, I loved this one!

I had a notion to make a new quilt for my back porch. Most of the 3 inch 9 patchs were already made, so this is going fairly quickly. The sashing will probably be a gray - a secondary mourning type. Initially the plan was for black, but the blocks keep telling me "no!".

Some of the blues began life as bricks for the Texas Braid quilt. The leftovers from that will be around for years!

I'm not sure if I'll use half blocks around the edges, or introduce another fabric for triangles to finish the design. If it ends up being half blocks, I may just make full blocks and chop them off. This is supposed to be easy-breezey, so we'll see if I have the nerve to do it!

Retail Therapy

No sewing since my last post, but there has been some retail therapy!  I visited a couple of local shops with a visiting quilting friend.  Luck was with us -  Needle and Thread was having a fabric sale.  We ran into friends that told us about a shop only 10 miles from my house.  What kind of quilter am I - how could I miss a quilt shop that close to home?  Scrapyard Quilting had a nice sale table with repros!  I did some damage, but it put a smile on my face!  I fell in love with the combination of these two fabrics.  I'm pondering the quilt options.     

To make your visit worthwhile, I'm including two more quilts from the Frugal and Fancy Exhibit.

The Star of Bethlehem quilt (1880) was made by Anna Marie Arnold Clemmons, Shelby County, as a gift for her husband.  The quilt includes two inscriptions: 'J Clemmons married A W Arnold March 22, 1866' and 'Presented to J Clemmons on his 34 birthday by his wife'.

Whig Rose (1845-1865) was made by Lavina Rudicil Rubottom of Franklin County.  The quilt was presented as a wedding gift to relatives in 1887.



I'm anxious to get back to the sewing machine, but the calendar isn't co-operating.

Indigo in Indianapolis

I love blue, I love baskets, and I love little blocks, so this one has it all, in my book...

The batting may be thick, but it doesn't detract much...

An indigo whole-cloth...

Detail - Still has that beautiful sheen...

Progress

I've completed a fourth of the quilt - upper left corner.  The pattern is Twilight Hopscotch from Simple Comforts by Kim Diehl.  I changed the block construction to reduce seams in the background fabric - my main block is the 9/4 patch with star sashing.  The book directions are reversed.  The original star centers were scrappy double pinks (below), but didn't work for me.  So, I decided on a common cheddary center.  I was short of fabric by one piece, so the outer four corners are a little darker fabric from same color family (upper left star). 

Don't you love bonus hst!!!  I'll have alot of these blue/gray hst from the star points that will finish at 1 1/2".  My little brain has already skipped ahead to planning a new 'little' quilt.




Jan and I went to two quilt exhibits last Saturday - great quilt day!  I've included two choice applique quilts from the 'Frugal and Fancy Quilt Exhibit' (info on sidebar). 

Indiania Fancy quilt by Clariss Rohrbaugh Strong (February 12, 1854).  The quilt border serves as the quilt label. 

The quilting on the Pomegranate quilt by Mary Jane Summers McClellan (1850's) was exceptional.  I see so much more detail thru Jan's eyes - she pointed out the quirkly centers.

                                                                       Amazing quilting!