It is all about the fabric

Now that my Lady of the Lake swap blocks are completed and ready to deliver, I pulled out a work in progress.  The antique quilt had sashing on each side of the block with one long sashing between the rows.  I just could not get the blocks to line up like they should.  So I looked at the blocks for a few days  and a light went off.  Cornerstones, nothing original here, but I would make them a nine patch.  My thoughts being pink and green and pick up the like backgrounds of the blocks.

So, of  to sewing I went.  I looked at the setting over and over, slept on it, and looked some more.  Something  just wasn''t right I kept saying to myself they overpower.  Well it was all in the fabric, Kathie has mentioned this several times on her blog.  So I took this photo and emailed it to my friend Betsy and asked for a truthful answer.  She said it is the cream. 

 

Why didn't I think of this is beyond me, because I had used a similar effect before in this Toile Challenge quilt

 

 

 

 

 

So I made the changes and this is the result.  Thank you Betsy and Kathie

I am so much happier with the results.  I guess I just couldn't think out of frustration.  Does this ever happen to you?

Until next time.  And remember it is all about the fabric.

Pat

Getting on the Band Wagon or Not

The quilting blogs and Yahoo Groups are all abuzz over hexagons.   If I may regress - One time I was told that I was going to be a grandmother of a little girl and I immediately started a baby quilt, but then I was told sorry you are going to be a grandmother of a little boy.  That little boy is now turning 10 and I did eventually get that grand-daughter.    This is a photo of the hexagons I have which will become a doll blanket for that grand-daughter.

I guess I better finish it up so she will have it when Santa brings her a new baby doll.

As I said, everyone is doing hexagons, but I think I will do Pies and Tarts.  I purchased this cute little package a while back and here it sits.   I am a real push over for something that is packaged so cute.  I will use my favorite 19th century reproduction fabrics. 

Right now I plan to only do a small quilt, but who knows I might have so much fun making these that I will want a large quilt!

On to another subject - finally the Texas heat has cooled down a little and it seems like fall.  Fall and Spring are my favorite seasons.  I recently stitched this reproduction sampler and it has a real fall look to it.  The sampler is from the collection of the Chester County Historical Society in West Chester, Pennsylvania.

I have also been working on my Farmers Wife quilt and I am over half way.  These are the latest blocks.  So far with the exception of the sashing and setting blocks I have used my fabric collection.  It has been fun looking through some of my much older fabrics.

 

 

 

 

That is it from here.  Are you getting on the "Band Wagon" and doing some hexagons or what?

Until next time.

STAGES

Sounds like a self-help book  LOL - well I am in various stages.  My Frost on the Ferns quilt is back from the long-arm quilter.  I think she did a great job.

Today I picked up the Nebraska Waves quilt, but haven't even sewn the binding on or trimmed it.  I think I will leave the hand sewing for a retreat I am going to  in a couple of weeks.  It is quilted in an all-over design here is a close-up.

I have also put the last cross stitch in the Mary Wigham sampler from the Ackworth School.  I think this was one of the hardest samplers I have made the counting was very hard.  I should have basted a grid on it.  However, it is a reproduction of what Mary did.  I am blown away how these young girls executed these samplers.  Mary was only 7  when she stitched hers.    I still need to press this before I take it to the framer.

STAGES

Sounds like a self-help book  LOL - well I am in various stages.  My Frost on the Ferns quilt is back from the long-arm quilter.  I think she did a great job.

Today I picked up the Nebraska Waves quilt, but haven't even sewn the binding on or trimmed it.  I think I will leave the hand sewing for a retreat I am going to  in a couple of weeks.  It is quilted in an all-over design here is a close-up.

I have also put the last cross stitch in the Mary Wigham sampler from the Ackworth School.  I think this was one of the hardest samplers I have made the counting was very hard.  I should have basted a grid on it.  However, it is a reproduction of what Mary did.  I am blown away how these young girls executed these samplers.  Mary was only 7  when she stitched hers.    I still need to press this before I take it to the framer.

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