FQSG Antique Quilt Block Challenge

The March 2021 issue of 

AQ magazine is out and inside

you will find an article by Moi :)

Last year the Florida Quilt

Study Group did an antique

block challenge with very

few rules, thankfully!

I was overly ambitious and 

worked on 2 blocks because 

each had different fabrics that spoke 

to me. Using techniques 

from my Fabric Collaborations

workshop, I created 2 unique pieces 

and then wrote an article about 

the process for AQ.

Our Fabulous exhibit is 

now on display

at THE Quilters Hall of Fame

in Marion, Indiana. 

THANK YOU, 

KATHY METELICA CRAY!!

IF you can't go in person,

they have their own youtube

channel where they have put

the whole exhibit for you to 

see from home!

ONLINE EXHIBIT

February 23 - May 8

Florida Quilt Study Group:

Antique Quilt Block Challenge

The challenge was to take an antique block and incorporate it into a small quilt measuring 24" x 24." Artists were allowed to use the block whole, cut up, or dismantled. The could add vintage or new fabrics; whatever it takes to create a quilt of their own design and creativity.

AND, I made the exhibit poster

which is super exciting!!

KEEP STITCHING;) 

Well-Loved Ladies QAL: Currants

                                                  

Welcome to Block 1.

The photo above is from the 

center of a circa 1860 

quilt in my collection.

The quilting is a cross hatch done

in 1/4" grid which gives it a 

fabulous look and feel!

My Well-Loved Ladies lecture was

where I wanted to showcase the 

variations of designs because

I am fascinated by how designs

have evolved over time.

Most of the time this block

is seen with berries added but

I do like the simplicity of this layout.

This plant was being grown here in

the US during the mid 19th century time 

allowing quilters to be inspired 

and it easily lends itself to 

quilt design. 

Courtesy of Wikipedia:

"...introduced by English settlers at the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 

1629 and was cultivated on some scale, particularly in New York. 

The plant acts as a host for the white pine blister rust that

 threatened the timber industry. In 1911, the Federal government banned 

the cultivation, sale and transport of blackcurrants to protect the white pine."

Since then the Federal ban was lifted but

some states still have the ban in place.

NY just lifted theirs in 2003.

Look at the leaf shape of a currant 

plant and you can definitely see that in 

the applique' and why berry clusters

would be added to the layout.

Below we have the poke weed 

which is poisonous and used

as a fast dye.

It came to the quilting world through

the widespread study of botany,

 obvious beauty, and was

also used by some women of the day

as a political statement.

Easy to see how these two could

have been used interchangeably 

depending on where you lived.

Come quilt along with us

as we learn about the quilts

that inspired my 

WELL-LOVED LADIES 

SAMPLER PATTERN

FULL PATTERN

Available HERE

First block: Currants

(Includes quilt instruction)

Available HERE

Currants TEMPLATES ONLY

HERE

ADDITIONAL READING:

The links below go into more depth about 

either the history of the plants if you are a 

gardener OR the history of the quilt block. 

Barbara Brackman will blow you away

with all the variations she has accumulated!!

ENJOY~

Wikipedia

Who still has a ban

Barbara Brackman 

Currants and Cockscombs

Barbara Brackman 

Poke weed and Politics

"ROMANTIQUE" is Simply Vintage

I am beyond thrilled to announce that one of my 

FABRIC COLLABORATIONS 

samples is featured on the cover of this awesome magazine!

~~on stands now~~

"ROMANTIQUE" is the upper left picture and

 it is quite a lovely piece, if I do say so myself:)

Simply Vintage always creates a special little graphic

to go with each design and look how sweet my graphic is!

Thank you, Simply Vintage!!

For those not familiar with FABRIC COLLABORATIONS, 

here is a quick overview.

I fell in love with the fabric in this ca. 1880s block.

It became the jumping off point for the lovely piece, "ROMANTIQUE".

It is romantic and antique:)

Detail of some of the embroidery.  

The samples become a 'search a block' to see if you can 

find the designs I created to match the fabric design.

Simply Vintage magazine is one of the Quiltmania publications and they do fantastic layouts and an overview of some of the antiquing to be found in a feature city each issue.  The magazines are more like a book and a great resource for summer trips.

If you would like to read more about my process 

on this post, Fabric Collaborations

Going to Houston Festival?  I know you are intrigued about collaborating with your stash so come to Festival and take the Fabric Collaborations class with me!

Keep stitching~

Day 20: 2018 Review J-A-S

JULY -- AUGUST -- SEPTEMBER

This summer seemed to fly right by but I could actually say that about the whole year!

Top row is July.

1. We took a trip to Chicago to visit our eldest daughter and while in Chicago you must go to Wrigley Field according to my husband (a lifelong Cub fan:).  While there I asked how many other girls he had taken there and I am the first girl he has ever taken to his precious Wrigley!  How is that for a first in 30 years of marriage?  It was my first time there too! 

2. Along the way there was thankfully some treasure hunting and I found these lovely ca. 1940s hand appliqued rose blocks.  The pink ones are being redone for an upcoming COC charity quilt. The Autumn colored ones are welcome to stay and inspire:)

3. Another baseball game-ugh!  Thankfully I am helping a friend with her Millefiori quilt so I have lots of handwork to take along! 

Middle row is August and it is all about the LOVE!  We celebrated 30 years together this year!!!

The center photo is us on our wedding day (no professional photos just the one from the little 110 camera I had). The photos on either side are more recent.  We really don't have tons of us from when we were younger without me going in search of.

Bottom row is September.

The center picture is from the landing in San Antonio as a cruise went by during the show we were watching that evening.  Such a lovely city!

The pics to either side are work in progress shots.  I was able to get lots of work done in and around more appraisal shadowing and treasure hunting! 

I am very proud to be able to offer a new workshop to guilds as well: FABRIC COLLABORATIONS!  IT is going to be so much fun to watch people build off one another and design!  I can't wait to meet your guild:)

Pop over to see who else is blogging...

http://muppin.com/wordpress/index.php/the-2018-31-day-blog-writing-challenge/

Time to Dream

Look at these circa 1900 lovelies that arrived this week!! I have a tiny work break coming this week and will be spending time dreaming of a perfect way to use them.

Any suggestions?