Sunday, August 30, 2015

New Thread Holder and Month Nine Catherine's Garden BOM

Velma Holding Thread
My new thread holder, I don't recommend it for usefulness.  If entertainment is high on your priority list then I give her a high rating.

Velma joined the fabric bomb to lend a helping paw.

I watch her very carefully so she isn't able to chew thread.  She isn't allowed in the sewing room.




The new block set for month Nine is posted and ready to go HERE.

We are now at 10 blocks, borders and corners.  This photo doesn't show my finished corners because you cant finish yours until the blocks are completed.

SH, a stitching friend has all of her blocks done and is on her fourth border.  She has the benefit of 'connections' and got the full pattern set at once...I am hoping she lets me share her top with you very soon.
Would you like to see it? Maybe hers and mine together?

Have a great week!
Dawn

Wednesday, August 26, 2015

You Are Invited

Please join us (Aunt Reen and I) for a Sew-Along reproducing the
          Shenandoah Valley Botanical Album Quilt (SVBAQ).

Thank you Virginia Quilt Museum!
Pattern by Josephine Millett for the museum.
Part of the antique quilt...See the full quilt on the new blog
There is a dedicated blog you can subscribe to:
http://svbotanicalquilt.blogspot.com  HERE
  • Pattern ordering details are on the blog main page (digital or paper)
  • You will be able to participate in the blog once we all start stitching
  • The first post is loaded with participation details - as well as tabs on the block organized by subject.  So much information....
  • We have contributions from Quilt Historian Neva Hart

There is a dedicated Facebook Page:
https://www.facebook.com/shenvalleybotanicalquiltsewalong

Stay tuned for more details...Can you guess what size and colorways I selected??
This is a wonderful opportunity to support our quilt heritage and the Virginia Quilt Museum's 20th Anniversary
All proceeds benefit the museum!  

Monday, August 24, 2015

A Finish - The Graduation Quilt

The Graduation Quilt
Done. Finished. Complete.
It really isn't any of those.

The Graduation Quilt is hand quilted and the binding is done.  I have a few details to add, so technically it isn't done.

I chose to do a narrow binding, finishing at 3/8" so it doesn't really show in the photo.  I really like it and will use that width on future projects.

To recap - Lots of fussy cutting special fabrics
Prints used only once per block
Machine Pieced
Hand Quilted - 100% Cotton Mountain Mist Blue Ribbon
62" x 76"



Light Center - Names and dates to be added in quilting

In the center light print are I will be adding names and dates in the quilting.

I am planning on a medium contrast thread, so it is easily readable - but not the first thing a viewer sees.

I will also add a label on the back - see, it isn't done!

Example of some of the quilted texture


Each block is quilted uniquely, using the prints as my guide - no marking.

I changed thread colors to compliment the fabrics.

The hexagon side finishes at 4"




Do you quilt names and words in your projects?  I may do it more often!
Have a great week!
Dawn

Wednesday, August 12, 2015

Fruit Basket Medallion

Need an inspiration quilt?
See "Chintz Quilts From The Poos Collection"
pg 140-144  Hint:  It is cut apart and re-configured
I love medallion quilts.
When I saw the Fruit Basket Medallion panel was reproduced in three sizes I had to order!

I wanted to share my wash test with you.  The photo in this blog post is one of the panels Machine laundered, normal cycle in Tide HE - warm wash, cold rinse THREE times.  I was abusive - including it in three different loads of laundry.  I have no intention of treating a quilt that way.  I am impressed with the retention of the vibrant color!
Now I can get on with some quilt plans...

You can order the panels HERE.
Consider a large one and four smalls for four corner blocks.  Oh...the possibilities....would you cut it up or leave it whole?

Have a great week,
Dawn

Sunday, August 2, 2015

Quilts, Wildflowers and Majestic Views


We took a little drive last weekend.

When we set out, we were fairly certain there would be quilts and antiques involved.  What else are weekends for?
The lawn mowing could wait.

After all, the wildflowers are at their peak.











The views are majestic

Mountain Top Quilts - Closed Weekends


Leadville Colorado is the highest incorporated city (10,430 feet elevation) in North America.

 It is a town rich in history as the frontier west's wildest, rich mining town - a Boom Town in every sense.

Leadville is a National Historic District.  We used the walking tour map to see some of the 50 significant 1870 Victorian buildings.

The town is filled with little cottages, restaurants and shops - of course quilt shops and antiques were our first stops.







Back of the shop looking to the front

This is one of the original hardware stores, 'The Western Hardware Antiques and Variety'.  You can see their photo gallery HERE.

We spent a couple hours here!

There are two stories and about 10,000 square feet in the building.

The original front doors are 10 feet tall.

Most of the fixtures on the lower level are original - massive walnut and cherry counters topped with display cases filled with treasures.






if it looks like the stairs tilt, they do!


The stairway leading to the second level is lined with the original wallpaper.

Should you need to pause on the way up, old prints and photos line the way.

The upstairs is filled with rooms of antiques.
The rooms used to house doctors, lawyers and dentists.  The original marble directory is still there.

You can read more about the building HERE.








There were lots of quilts and quilt tops.

I didn't see any quilt blocks.

This is the inside of a large cabinet of textiles.

This printed patchwork, or cheater cloth, was the back of a very, very worn pieced quilt.  There was so much fabric loss on the front, I could barely make out the pattern.






This is a more recently altered old quilt.

Note the 1980's lighter blue fabric in the binding and along the right hand side of the quilt.  I think it could be more accurately 'updated' today - but, I wasn't looking for a new project.

The original portions of the Drunkards Path quilt were hand pieced and hand quilted.










This charm quilt in kite shapes was also more recently finished with poly batting.

It was draped over the open door of the textile cupboard.

Hand quilted, I could picture it in one of the many mountain cottages in the area.

I am sure it will find a new home very soon.











I was very tempted by these sweet little children's furniture pieces.

They were about 36" tall.

I can just imagine doll quilts and clothes filling the shelves and drawers.

They weren't a pair, and are not being sold as such, but they do seem like a fun pair.



I did bring home a couple quilt tops.

This one is all hand pieced and includes a wonderful assortment of vibrant circa 1870 prints.

At least three different double pinks.

Lots of stripes in this top.

A nice example for fabric study.  I have no plans to 'finish' it.


This top is also includes a nice assortment of fabrics.

Whoever the maker, I think she was brilliant to
place the floral block in the center of the top.

It is all hand pieced - a little more wear than the pink top shown above, but nice in its own way.





Here are some of the fun prints.

I love the over print on the blue ground.

Stripes, dots, plaids - so much wonderful detail.

In the very lower right corner - note the piecing within the small triangle.











A nice 'Caifornia Gold' or chrome orange print.

This print is shown in Trestain - Dating Fabrics pg 117.  Still in print HERE.

The combination of the copper-toned madders and the chrome orange is wonderful.








This one also has a great lace print.
Looks like they were trying to get a Battenburg tape lace look.

There are a few pieces of 'that' green - minty, light ground green...wonderful fabric study.







All too soon it was time to head home.

Every where we looked there were reasons to come back!  I hope you enjoyed the pictures.

Have a great week,
Dawn

PS
The Catherine's Garden Month Eight was posted last week HERE.