Vintage Treasure - Installment #2

Okay, ebay shopaholic syndrome produces lots of fun things. I really like to buy quilt blocks. I usually don't know the story about the blocks, but I feel like I want to finish the "story"! Several months ago I bought a mixed lot of vintage blocks. I've played around with them and laid them out in lots of ways. The following is one of those finished projects. 

This is one my first attempts at quilting a stencil pattern. I really like how it turned out! This small quilt is about 18" X 18".

Blessings!!

Vintage Treasures

Okay, I'll admit, I love to shop - but really only on-line especially ebay!!! So, also being a quilt nut, of course I shop for quilt stuff on-line!!! When, I take a break from whatever I'm doing I'll take a quick 10 minute shopping trip (hey, I'm not spending any gas money!!!) and see what I can find! Thought I share a couple of my Vintage Treasures. Don't worry, I have more. I'm just rationing them to ya'll so ya'll will "come on back"!

 

HELP!!

I'm still having trouble leaving comments on blogs with embedded comments. Does anyone know if maybe I have some setting set wrong? Also, I've checked blogger issues and they've mentioned a problem about posting comments, but I was wondering if there is a way to contact blogger and post a problem. Any input would be appreciated!

Can't make a post without adding something about quilting, so I've added a picture of a crazy quilt that my paternal grandmother made for our wedding gift 31 years ago. It is made with cotton fabrics attached to muslin. She didn't use any batting but backed it with flannel. It has been "well-loved" through the years. It is a favorite to curl up and watch TV!! The kids use to fight over it!!!

Crazy Quilt Construction

The Crazy Quilt Craze started in the 1880's and these quilts were embellished with embroidery and applique. A Crazy Quilt is not traditionally "quilted", and really is more like a coverlet. Traditionally Crazy Quilts were made with silk, brocades and other fancy fabrics. Note the crazy quilt pillow sham in my header. This pillow sham was made by my great-great grandmother in 1896. As far as I know it is the only piece of "quilt" work that came from my mother's side of the family.
Usually crazy quilts are constructed with blocks as illustrated below. The maker cut desired size squares of some fabric, usually muslin, and then began attaching random fabric pieces by using a variety of embroidery stitches. Then the blocks were attached together much like a traditional pieced quilt. Sometimes batting was used and of course backing fabric, but these were bound together by tying from the back side and only going through the backing, batting and foundation of the blocks.

I'm constructing this one a little different because I wanted a big quilt without the block look,(much like the one pictured below). I first embroidered designs on lots and lots (over 100) wool scraps (some were old suit coats, skirt and slacks and others were fat quarters from our local rug/yarn shop). Then I pinned the "blocks" onto a large piece of muslin and put it in the frame. I'm featherstitching the blocks together and to the foundation muslin. It has been challenging keeping out puckers etc and I've had to adjust placements as I've gone along, but it has been fun to do, but not sure I would make another! LOL The quilt is about 90" X 90". I plan on using a thin needle punched all cotton batting to help hold the ties together and give some substance for the heavier wool fabrics. I'm using #3 cotton perle to do all the featherstitching because it is sturdier and doesn't "catch".

 

Blessings and Happy Quilting!!!!

Meet Bess!!!

Bess!!!

Our newest addition. We're pretty excited!!

It's always fun to have a new puppy - brings new hope to all that I do!

WIP - Finally Resumes!

Wool crazy quilt back out and in progress again!! I had put it up for a couple of weeks as I was busy with other things, but now I'm ready to get back at it and get it done. 


Blessings to all for the week ahead!!

There is always Hope!

Okay, I'm usually a very optimistic person, but lately I've been kinda "brown" - we have had no rain, 100 degree days and 40 mph winds - reminds me of the Dust Bowl Days!! But as I was doing my outside chores this morning I saw this little yellow flower (not sure what it is) just beaming "hope" in the midst of the brown!

                                                  
...He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and He will strengthen your frame....Is 58:11

Blessings!!!!