Quilting and other things I love in this colorful world
Your response to Star Kissed was so kind! Thank you!
I am still sewing along on blocks. There are 8 of them now. And I still like them a lot.
So, here’s the deal: If you find this project interesting, start gathering squares–1-1/2″ or 2″ or 2-1/2″. Whatever makes you happy. I will shortly produce a quiltalong that will make a quilt using that size. It has been a while.
Come, sew along!
Years ago Sparkle Jane took a notion and decided to cut 1-1/4″ squares. 1-1/4″?!? That is REALLY small. But, they sat in this box and after a while started to hum at me. Do projects ever do that to you? Just sort of seem to hum in the back of your mind, “I could be beautiful. Give me a chance.”
So, I started to piece, a little aimlessly at first. Just as a leader-ender project. Before I knew it, I was making 25-patches. Then, there were 25 of them.
By then there was too much invested to stop.
Next step was a sort of economy block layout. But, they didn’t feel finished.
Add some star points and fancy corners and you get….
THIS!
I originally called it “Tiny,” but now I call it “Star Kissed.” I am not sure that is its real name, though.
I visualize it with white sashing and tiny colored corner stones. And probably a really cool border of some kind.
This block is 10″, but it could easily be resized to sensible proportions based on, say, 2″ or 2-1/2″ squares in the center. What do you think?
On a Saturday Sparkle Jane said, “Mom, I want to make him a quilt.”
“Well,” I said, “There are these Pendleton shirts…”
The quilt was planned, sorted, cut, piecing started…
Tuesday night, Sparkle Jane was assembling. There was no fabric suitable for a back here and the quilt shops were all closed. While she kept stitching, I left for Joanns, two towns away. The store closes at 9pm. I got there about 8:15pm. She was going to have to trust me.
Find the fabric. Get the fabric. Head home.
The backing was pronounced, not just acceptable, but perfect! WHEW!
She pieced and pinned. The next day, Wednesday, I had quilting time scheduled.
And it was a quilt!
Considering that the quilt is 84″ x 90″, that is near record time for us…it is a Christmas present that will be opened for New Years.
My great-grandmother, Mina Opal, did beautiful handwork as a young woman. We believe this work was done probably sometime during the 1930s.
I only knew her as a great-grandmother, though a young one. I am the oldest (and only) daughter of the oldest daughter of the oldest daughter. And the previous three generations married young and had their daughters right away. Mina Opal died when I was in college.
My mother (the only granddaughter) acquired this top a long time ago.
It needed cleaning and care, which she gave it.
Mina Opal not only embroidered, but also hand pieced the top. Her stitches are enviable.
It came to me along with the butterfly blocks. All I had to do, really, was find a back and order the quilting.
Because of the age and fragile nature of the fabric, dense machine quilting was the best way to ensure the long-term durability of the quilt. I am certain great-grandma would have wanted it used and loved.
Sparkle Jane did the binding. That way it has passed through five generations to this finish.
Using the cut-offs from the Hundred Hugs quilt made a while back, this Mini Quilt came about.
It finishes at 10-1/2″ square. So fun!
I thought about making it into a potholder, but decided on a mini quilt instead. It is hanging on the bulletin board in my sewing room for now.
I was put on “house arrest” last week as weeks of messing around with a cold-sinus infection-laryngitis-cough evolved into pneumonia. Again. Sometimes it is hard to be grateful for circumstances.
But, on the bright side, between resting and napping and doing nothing, I did get a lot of sewing time. I tidied my sewing room and evaluated projects.
Over a year ago, I won the Charleston Pavement pattern from Shelly at Prairie Moon Quilts. (She is the same one who sponsors the 350 block project.) There was a handy pile of inherited scraps as a starting point. There WERE a few things to be grateful for.
And the top is a finish! (Pictures are a little tough right now because we have about 16″ of snow on the ground and it is snowing hard. But that isn’t important.)
I am so pleased. I highly recommend the pattern. It would make a great Quilt of Valor, or wedding quilt (which is what this one is), or even an Eye-Spy. It can use precut jelly roll (2-1/2″) strips or scraps. Really, just so versatile. This is one I will definitely make again.
Go check out Shelly’s store and get yourself a Charleston Pavement pattern. You’ll be glad you did.
This little top has waited more than a year to be finished. But, at least it is. I am not sure I love the binding…feels a little light, even though the colors match.
More information on the process and pattern can be found here: https://weddingdressblue.wordpress.com/2018/12/06/roundabout-baby-flimsy/
Yes, it is quite bright, but babies don’t like to be bored. Having something bright and interesting helps their brain development.
At least that is my excuse for making quilts that “don’t require a night light,” as Husband puts it.
