quilting time and a new find

Well, the pile of little quilt tops isn't getting any smaller, so I think it's time to do a little quilting.  I have a total of ten tops to quilt.  The flower quilt is something I haven't done before--I took an antique block (which included up to the yellow) and added borders to it using antique fabric.

I made a stack of blocks to make into ornaments, too.

Here's my latest find from ebay--a darling little doll quilt, only 8"x12".  Dating to ca. 1870, this quilt is in remarkably good shape despite the fact that is composed of mostly brown fabrics.  The strips are 1/2 inch wide.  I can't wait to make my own version.

We know what she was thinking

From time to time I post an unusual quilt and ask the question "What was she thinking?"  and we have fun speculating.  Today I have a variation on this game called "We know what she was thinking."  No speculation necessary in this case!

I posted this one on the APQ blog some time ago, so some of you may remember it.  But hey, its summer, everything is a rerun.

This turn-of-the-century doll quilt came with a note attached.

The note reads:  Patchwork sewed by Aunt Mary circa 1902.  1st last and only--done under protest

We know what Aunt Mary was thinking.

Red and white pinwheels/broken dishes

Remember these pinwheel blocks?

Some of them found a home in this little quilt.

Samplers

About 10 years ago I was into making reproduction samplers.  Once the quilting bug bit, sampler making was abandoned.  I really love the samplers I made and they are all still on display in my house.  All but one were made from kits from The Scarlet Letter.  Their kits are wonderful. 

This is the largest sampler I made, on display in my living room.  The bird tree is by my woodcarver friend Al Kohr.

Two smaller ones on the mantel.

Elsewhere around the house.

This last one was a kit I purchased on vacation in Virginia while touring the home of James Monroe.  The original was made by his daughter.

A whole lot of pinwheels going on...and buttons, too

I am into pinwheel blocks right now.  Some will become ornaments (towards the 40 I promised to the Mercer Museum) and some will be worked into quilts. 

The red and yellow combination is a favorite. 

I found this great ca.  1880 red paisley fabric recently.  One way you can tell this is not new fabric is the selvage width--this fabric has both selvedges and it is 24 inches wide.  Modern fabrics are 45" and vintage fabrics (when I was a kid--yes, I am vintage, but not antique) fabrics were 36".  These are general guidelines, there will be exceptions. 

The stuffed ornaments I make have a button tied in the middle, to give the look of a tiny tufted pillow.  I had been using new buttons but then decided to look for some vintage buttons on ebay.  Well, I found plenty.  Here are some cool ones from the 1960's.  These must have been the salesmen samples that stores ordered from.  Check out the prices, and that's not per button, but probably per card of buttons.

Around the house

Just for fun, some recent photos from my home.

Living room; antique quilts

Upstairs hall; antique aprons.

Americana in kitchen

Americana in quilt lab

Cutter quilts for inspiration.

Another antique doll quilt

Here's another doll quilt from Childhood Treasures (page 27) by Merikay Waldvogel that I just love.  It is a simple 4-patch with a fantastic chintz border.  It dates to ca. 1850.  I reproduced it with my antique fabrics as close as I could.  I don't have any 1850 chintz (and if I did, that is something I would not cut up) so I used an early 20th century (maybe ca. 1920) large scale print for the border.  I don't often get to show off such a print in my little quilts so I am enjoying this one.  My quilt measures 12.5" x 13".

You can call me Miss October

Another exciting day in my little quilting world.  One of my quilts has been included in the 2011 American Patchwork & Quilting Calendar!!!

My quilt is featured in October.  The colors are perfect for fall.

You can call 800/826-4707 to order a 2011 calendar.

Colors, so many choices

Did you ever go shopping and find a top that you really liked? 
That fit and flattered you really well? 
So you bought it in every color they had?  I have.
I feel the same way about this little quilt I just finished.  I want to make it in every color combination I can think of.  It is based on an antique doll quilt as I mentioned in a previous post. 

I used colors as close to the original as I could.  Mine came out 16" x 16".  The original is 15" x 15.5".  The quilt went together so easily.  I thought the setting was going to be tricky with the diagonal sashing but it wasn't.   I love the way it turned out.  I have to make it in some other colors combinations.  Any suggestions?