1800s Reproduction Fabrics

Short post…with pics

October 13, 2011 by Margaret

Now that my fingers have stopped bleeding from all that typing the other day

I just wanted to show you a few pics of something else I’d been doing over the last month.

I don't have a name for this yet, other than it's Cheddar and Indigo!

I just made this quilt on a total whim, astounding that the whim lasted long enough to finish it too.

I’m always excited to see my copy of Quiltmania arrive in the post box…

Issue #85

but this one doubly, triply quadruply so because it had not only articles about the Castlemaine Applique Group featuring quilts from talented Aussie quilters, The Sydney Quilt show featuring quilts from some different talented Aussie quilters and an article about quilts from the collection of Australian quilt historian Dr Annette Gero…

… it also featured my friend (I’m happy to call her my friend) Linda Collins and her collection of Antique quilts

you can see the Linda’s post about it here,

But it also featured

the pattern for the quilt at the top of the post which I fell in love with and simply had to make.

So I did.

In about a week and a half from ‘go to whoa’.

Set myself up with all my little pieces beside the machine

image of Cheddar and Indigo quilt in progress

Each pinned together bit is one block

I aimed for about six blocks per night, of course some nights I did more cos some nights I did nothing.

Laid out a few blocks

image of Cheddar and Inbdigo quilt blocks

Yeah...I'm going to like this

And voila…by Saturday night I had the top done (well actually it was the wee hours of Sunday morning), and on Sunday morning (proper) I pieced a gorgeous Cheddar and Indigo back for it.

Then I vacuumed the floor.

Hope to get it quilted soonish.

Another pic for good measure

The quilt was designed by Paula Barnes and went together like a breeze.

10 Comments

Filed Under: 1800s Reproduction Fabrics, Indigo Blues, Reproduction Quilts

I’ve been just a little bit preoccupied…

October 11, 2011 by Margaret

I have had several posts swimming around in my head and two have even made it to drafts.

And now a month has got behind me.

At least it wasn’t ten years that got behind me like the Pink Floyd song ‘Time’

but I have felt like their lyrics

…and you run and you run

to catch up with the sun

but it’s sinking,

racing around

to come up behind you again…

could have been written for me these last weeks.

Yes, I just wish there were more hours in the day, or that I could function on four hours sleep a night…that’d do it.

One of the posts that made it to drafts was a sort of ‘Ten things you may not know about me’

But then I thought if I told you those things you might wish you still didn’t know those things about me and it might ruin a beautiful friendship.

So I will tell you just one… I think this one’s safe.

Here’s a clue.

Love it !

I know it’s not fashionable but I’m a bit of a Train Spotter

Out of respect and admiration for all the dedicated Train Spotters around the world I will say that I am not as totally commited as they are…Basically it’s got to come right past my door, but when it does…I’m excited.

Over the years I’ve lived in a train station I’ve seen lots of these come through, but I still rush out and wave like a lunatic (much to DH’s embarrasment but I don’t care) when I hear that whistle blow, and the distinctive sound of a steam engine.

I'm taking a photo of you taking a photo of me taking a photo of...

She’s got to make it up Tunnel Hill so she’s under full steam, the sound is awesome.

My Dad was a truly dedicated Train Spotter, his dad was an engine driver (naturally in the age of steam) so what can I say…it’s in the blood.

I think of you Dad every time I see one of these and I’m waving feverishly on your behalf.

So, what have I been doing other than waving at Trains?

The last week I was at the computer…for the entire working week.

I had set aside some time to convert one of my patterns to a digital format. I think that’s the correct term these days.

(And ended up basically re-writing it in the process, cos you know…things can always be improved)

It was just part of my Business plan/forward planning, waaaay too boring to go into.

By midday Monday (yep only four hours in) it became blatantly obvious that I didn’t have the skills to pull this off all by myself.

I think I wasted a couple of valuable hours muttering under my breath and getting extremely angry a little bit frustrated with myself.

Hasty phone call to techy Jennifer who dropped everything and came to my aid…She knew I was on a time limit with this one.

I have learnt *So Much* in that week.

One little sentence that doesn’t even come close to expressing what I (we) have accomplished.

Total immersion…that’s the only way. Like learning French.

Thanks more than I can say Jenn, you’re a totally brilliant teacher.

I’ve also been to Linda Collins’ Quilts in the Barn…Always a fabulous display.

There’s a nice group photo in Linda’s post, part of the joy is meeting up with old friends and meeting new ones.

I caught up with Linda again just week before last and she happily OK’ed me posting some close up photo’s of her old quilts along with the reproductions of the fabrics in them. As you know, the fabrics are my special interest. I’m always the one with the camera about two inches above the quilt, people must think I’m incredibly short sighted (or long sighted, never quite sure which is which)

So I promise I will post about those old and new/old fabrics very soon.

As well as enjoying the day, I bought some fabric from the Quilted Crow while they were at QitB.

I bought these for a quilt I have been planning since my last post.

This one … click here to see it

I have decided to progress with that quilt and develop it in to a Strippy, probably, unless I come up with another idea.

I probably should have broken this in to several posts because it’s getting very long, but…well I might as well keep going or another month might get behind me

Next.

As I am not in the least bit sporting minded…

“yawn, boring…why would anyone want to watch people chasing around after a ball, often in the rain“

…I am astounding myself by watching (and enjoying) the World Cup Rugby that is being hosted in my home country across the Tasman.

I check the RWC website and the TV guide, prep some applique in readiness and sit down in front of the Telly on Saturday and/or Sunday for a few hours of sewing and rugby watching.

Maltaville Centre

During last weekend’s matches I nearly finished the Maltaville Centre

I would have finished it except I mucked up the second to last calyx and didn’t want to miss any action by cutting out a new one.

So I went on to finish this block instead

Block G2

But there’s still more I’ve been doing…

On Friday night,

when I probably should have been resting my eyes after five full days of staring at a computer screen

and stretching my brain to the limit,

I started this

Banyan Tree Medallion Quilt mark II

On my ‘to do’ list for a while has been to make another Banyan Tree Medallion quilt as the last one was raffled and I didn’t win it.

As I have produced a pattern for it, I decided I needed to have my own quilt.

A little while ago I had bought some very lovely cream sateen which I thought would be perfect.

I hope it won’t be a you know what to sew.

And by Sunday I had it looking like this, but I will still add a bit more to it I think…not too much

Banyan Tree Medallion

Here’s what the first one looks like…

Banyan Tree Medallion mark I

…and the new one will be pretty much the same.

But of course the centre has been revamped because of the fabric choices I’ve made this time round.

So that’s what I’ve been doing…

There is actually more, but my fingers are just about bleeding LOL, so I will leave that for another day.

Not a day too far away.

Later this week I’ll choose the next four blocks for the Maltaville BOM and show what I’ll be sending out.

Thanks to the Rugby there’s a few to choose from.

6 Comments

Filed Under: 1800s Reproduction Fabrics, Applique, Banyan Tree Medallion Quilt, Broderie Perse, Design, Maltaville Album Quilt 1847, Musings

Catching up…again.

July 17, 2011 by Margaret

Violet (my trusty longarm) and I have been working overtime lately as the Melbourne Quilt Show is just around the corner.

The Exhibition quilts which had been booked in months and months ago have steadily been arriving in the studio as the Quilt Show draws closer.

I’m pleased to say that the final Exhibition quilt was finished and given back to its owner on Friday.

Apart from a quick trip to the Physio (routine maintenance) I have not left the property in over a week nor done any ‘other’ sewing so there wasn’t anything to blog about really.

I want to show you just a couple of other quilts from the Sydney Quilt Show last month which I really liked and then I think normal blogging can resume.

Many thanks to Pam Curtis and Shirley Gibson for letting me show their quilts and also to the repro lovers yahoo group for helping me find Pam and Shirley.

When I read on Pam’s quilt label that she started her Dear Jane in 1996 I thought “there’s gotta be some Smithsonian in there” and I wasn’t disappointed.

There are four Smithsonian fabrics in this pic.

Hand Pieced and Hand Quilted

Pam’s Dear Jane, named ‘A Passage in Time’, features lots of Smithsonian fabrics but also many other pretty but muted repros. The quilt has a very beautiful mellow look as a result of that but also because of the hand piecing and hand quilting.

This last quilt is Red, Green Again by Shirley Gibson. It won three awards including Excellence in Hand Quilting.

I didn’t take any closeups because what I admire is the absolute precision with the applique placement. See how the grids and circular shapes intertwine… perfectly. Just fabulous.

Red, Green Again by Shirley Gibson

I know the Melbourne Quilt Show will be just as inspiring as the Sydney one.

My LQG, The Goldfields Quilters, will have 16 quilts on display in a special area of the Exhibition and I’ll be helping to ‘man’ our display on the Thursday morning.

Please stop by and say hello if you’re there

3 Comments

Filed Under: 1800s Reproduction Fabrics, Reproduction Quilts, Smithsonian Fabrics

More treasures from the Sydney Quilt Show

July 6, 2011 by Margaret

Here are two very special quilts I saw in Sydney which I (and Jennifer) spent ages looking at. We were lucky enough to be introduced to the maker (Maureen) while we were ogling this first quilt and the three of us spent a while talking about the fabrics she used.

Unfortunately I did not think to take close ups of the fabrics in this particular quilt (there are some treasures in there),

but you’ll be able to click to enlarge and have a good look.

"Hush a Bye Baby" by Maureen Teager

This is a very accurate reproduction of a Bedcover (Coverlet?), Cotton appliqued on Linen made in 1834 by Nancy Horsfall.

If you have a copy of the V & A book Quilts 1700-2010, Hidden Histories, Untold Stories you will find a photo of the original, and another of Nancy Horsfall’s quilts on pages 70 & 71. Both quilts are now housed in Gawthorpe Hall, Padham, Lancashire, UK.

Maureen has drafted the blocks and borders for this cot quilt herself and it is stunning.

There are a lot of fabrics I recognised from my own stash and (among others) I loved the Prussian Blue Ombre which Maureen has used in the large setting triangles.

The next quilt is also by Maureen and some of you may recognise this as it has been produced as a pattern by a few different designers.

Nelly the Elephant made by Maureen Teager

This particular interpretation of this well known quilt has been drafted by Lynn Alchin and Maureen made it in a class with Lynn at Quiltsmith in Sydney.

Like “Hush a Bye Baby”, this quilt is another very accurate reproduction of a 19th Century Quilt.

The original is a top only and was made c.1819 by Catherine Tompkins. Catherine’s quilt was used to extinguish the flames of the nightgown worn by a young Sue Gwathmey and in commemoration of this life saving event the quilt was never mended or finished.

Catherine Tompkins burnt ‘top’ is featured on page 29 in the book Quilts of Virginia 1607-1899 published by Schiffer.

I did think to take close ups of Maureen’s ‘Nelly…”

Maureen and I definitely have the same taste in fabrics and I think that’s a great use of that Bird Toile.

I’ll have to check my Quiltsmith purchases but I think I also managed to get some of that deep red.

That Dargate Prussian Blue check by Margo Krager is one of my all time faves too.

Both of these quilts by Maureen have been hand quilted, hand appliqued and (not 100% sure but I suspect) hand pieced too.

Thank you very much Maureen for letting me show these here.

I still have a couple of posts worth of quilts from Sydney so stay tuned.

Historical notes about the Quilts sourced from:~

Quilts 1700-2010, Hidden Histories,Untold Stories. V&A publishing 2010 p 70 and 71

Quilts of Virginia, 1607-1899, The Birth of America Through the Eye of a Needle. 2006 Virginia Consortium of Quilters, p29. published by Schiffer

2 Comments

Filed Under: 1800s Reproduction Fabrics, Prussian Blues, Reproduction Quilts

Let’s just call this Smithsonian week..

May 31, 2011 by Margaret

I’ve chosen the other four fabrics as part of my anniversary giveaway…

Left to Right: Rising Sun Quilt 'Oak Leaf'; Little Sister's Quilt 'Maze'; Groom's Quilt 'Queen Anne's Lace' and The Copp Quilt 'Harvest Stripe'

This time I have chosen fabrics which are directly reproduced from the quilts whose name they bear.

Oak Leaf #2210-1 in Black/Sage appears in the pieced diamonds of Betsy Totten’s Rising Sun Quilt.

Maze #2304-1 in Green Grass is taken from the leaf and stem forms found in the Little Sister’s Quilt

Queen Anne’s Lace #2402-2 in Crimson appears in applique blocks in The Groom’s Quilt

Harvest Stripe #2507–2 in Muslin Ground appears in some of the unpieced blocks in The Copp Quilt.

So the four American fat 1/4s make up the second prize as explained in the previous post and that’s where you should leave your comments to be in the running.

Ok that’s that, now on to normal blogging.

I’ve been wanting to introduce you to a fantastic quilt designer and teacher for weeks but things kept getting in the way of this intended blog post.

Her name is Margaret McDonald and I’ve had the pleasure of knowing her (and learning from her) for many years.

A month of Sundays ago she invited me round to her place to look at her stash,

I’d hinted I’d like to come because whilst I was quilting one of Margaret’s quilts I had spotted a tiny scrap of …Smithsonian Fabric.

We had a lot of fun playing in her studio-pulling out fabrics/going through selvages/she showed me WIPs and UFOs.

She has recently got her website up and running and is worth a look.

www.margaretmcdonald.com.au

She kindly loaned me a table runner she had on the table, while we were having a cup of tea I spotted several Smithsonian pieces in it and she was happy for me to put it up here to show you.

This was an exercise in showing students what a terrific and diverse colour Brown is.

I hope you get the chance to pop over to her website and have a look, her work is stunning and varied.

I thought while on the theme I would grab another quilt of my own which uses a fair bit of Smithsonian.

This one was finished back in Sept. 1998, but hand quilted so started a year or two before then I think.

I named it Allbrook after the birthplace of my maternal Grandmother.

It reminds me of a faded English eiderdown.

Allbrook was once a village but the city of Eastleigh in Hampshire has grown around it.

It still has its own sign though and as my mother always wanted to see where her mother came from, we visited it in 2006.

Maybe I should make another quilt and call it Otterbourne which is where Nana went to school.

I only had to grab the quilt off the back of the armchair, it always makes me think of Nana so I like to have it around where I can see it.

The Smithosnian fabric is from the Copp Quilt range released in 1996 (I suspect that is when I started Allbrook)

It’s the lighter print, Sweetpea #2504-2 in Muslin/Chestnut.

Interestingly, the tone on tone pink, which came in a couple of similar designs/colourways, was reproduced about a year ago.

I picked up a piece locally. I’ll probably never use it, I just recognised the pattern and had to have a piece out of interest.

This one is marginally larger in scale than my original piece. Mine did have a blue colourway back in 1996 but it was softer looking than this.

Til soon…

4 Comments

Filed Under: 1800s Reproduction Fabrics, Smithsonian Fabrics

I can’t believe it’s been a year…

May 29, 2011 by Margaret

…since I started on this new blogging venture. The friends I’ve made this last year has demonstrated to me that blogging certainly is the 21st century equivalent of a quilting bee, we really don’t need to be in the same room to connect, encourage and enjoy each others company. And enjoy ogling at each others quilts ~ finished or otherwise.

Some new friends I have even managed to meet in person and that’s been a real pleasure too.

And the computer skills I’ve learnt (all thanks to Jennifer’s patience) I wouldn’t have thought possible a year ago.

So of course an anniversary means a give away…

…but I’ll tell you about that later.

First I want to tell you about a much anticipated parcel that arrived a couple of weeks ago.

Yes, that is all Smithsonian Fabric.

Judy in Ohio (another new friend, we plan to meet up at the Cincinnati Quilt show next year) wrote to me to say she had an excess of Smithsonian fabric and was wanting to sell it.

Between me emailing images of every smithsonian fabric with its range & pattern name and Judy spreading out and sorting what turned out to be 50 yards of fabric all over her dining table (and getting it cleaned off again before hosting a large family gathering) we were able to ascertain what she had and how much of it.

It took the best part of a weekend for both of us!

She also had all the Quilters Newsletter magazines from 1996 which had an 8 part quilt project using RJR Smithsonian ‘Rising Sun’ fabrics. The quilt is Heritage Medallion and was designed and made by Cynthia Dale.

All eight issues should I ever want to make the quilt but regardless there is still some very interesting (and relevant) reading in these magazines.

And a bit of a UFO.

I love looking at what other quilters have started, this one I may do something with one day, it will be fun to see how I interpret Judy’s quilt ideas and what the result is.

And there were other Smithsonian treasures like original fabric pack labels and photo’s of quilts from an American quilt exhibition featuring quilts inspired by RJR’s Smithsonian quilt fabrics.

Jennifer and I know we really need to do some work on the What Fabric is That? website…we have no excuse now that we have virtually complete Smithsonian ranges. Full ranges are what we’ve been steadily working towards for ages.

Okay, now for the good part

I have these four Fat 1/4s (American size) to give away.

I’ve selected one fabric each from the four Smithsonian ranges.

left to right: Rising Sun Quilt 'Floral Scroll' ; Little Sister's Quilt 'Perennial Garden; The Groom's Quilt 'Cretonne' and The Copp Quilt 'Sweetpea'

‘Floral Scroll’ # 2208-1 in Madder/Cream is a small scale print and is almost identical to a fabric found in Betsy Totten’s Rising Sun quilt from the 1800s. The fabric was released in Nov 1994.

‘Perennial Garden’ #2308-2 in Dusty Blue is a medium scale floral with a picotage background. Even though it is part of The Little Sister’s Quilt range, the fabric is copied from another 19th century quilt in the Smithsonian’s collection. The fabric was released in June 1995.

‘Cretonne’ #2407-3 in Asparagus also was not taken from the quilt which bears the name of the fabric range ~ Benoni Pearce’s Groom’s Quilt ~ but was taken from a pieced quilt made around 1850 using alternating blocks. Released in Oct 1995.

‘Sweetpea’ #2504 -1 Pale Blue is a small scale floral on a trailing vine. It’s not from the Copp Quilt but the fabric is taken from an early 19th century English counterpane. Released in 1996.

So all you have to do is leave a comment on this post by next Saturday to go in the running.

During the week (sorry I just ran out of time tonight) I will sort through and choose another 4 fabrics so there will be a second prize

~ and gee this time I might try harder to choose fabrics that really are taken from the quilt whose name they bear or at least a quilt we can identify LOL~

I don’t think I have one of those random number generator things (or if I do I don’t know how to use it) so I will put the names in a hat and get Jennifer to draw two out.

I’ll upload a pic of the other four fabrics when I’ve chosen them.

Good luck and I’ll post anywhere in the world.

30 Comments

Filed Under: 1800s Reproduction Fabrics, Musings, Smithsonian Fabrics

An Ohio Star Strippy, more Maltaville …and something modern, eeeek.

May 16, 2011 by Margaret

Friday was bleak here in Central Victoria and moving my sewing stuff out of the studio and in to the living room in front of the fire seemed a very inviting proposition.

I cut and sewed like a woman posessed and finished this….

I am really pleased to get this finished (well the top)

You may remember it in progress from here

Just to re-cap this quilt came in to being because I needed to make a quilt based on the Ohio Star block for the Vic. Quilters Showcase in July this year where my local quilt group is being featured.

Originally I had planned it to be a straight set quilt ~ maybe with a narrow sashing in the plain white ~ but it has morphed in to a strippy.

Forty blocks, some of the really fave reds have two blocks and some just one.

On Friday (when I moved in to the living room) I had all the blocks already made,

it was the 400 half square triangles that have taken the time.

I thought it might be quicker than making more blocks.

Jury’s out on that one.

Now that the Ohio Star is as good as done I can get back to concentrating on the Maltaville Quilt centre block.

The vine is all sewn and I will prepare more of the applique pieces this week.

A friend and I are going to the Phillip Island Quilt-in this Saturday and I want to take this with me to work on.

I have chosen the next four blocks for the Maltaville mailout this month…

Block A8

Block A2

Block C1

Block C5

In this bottom one (C5) I have sewn it like the original with its little mishap… I like it this way but have no idea if it was indeed a mishap for the original maker or if this is how she intended it to be.

Last week Jennifer kept me company on a trip to one of my suppliers.

It was her job to find a couple of quilt shops we could visit on the way and she found shops specialising in more contemporary fabrics.

I bought these…

Contemporary and Snazzy

…had to get a Paisley in there didn’t I?

When I was in NZ last month, good friends gave me (and DH) an unexpected and fabulous gift so a quilt idea has been buzzing around in my head in the last few weeks.

A traditional, antique style quilt is just not going to be their ‘thing’ but I think they will like these fabrics and I will have fun working with these.

Not at all what I usually buy, but I really like them.

9 Comments

Filed Under: 1800s Reproduction Fabrics, Applique, Design, Maltaville Album Quilt 1847, Prussian Blues, Reproduction Quilts, Smithsonian Fabrics, Turkey Reds

Morrell and Valdani…and a new studio space

April 26, 2011 by Margaret

After my last post Kathie said she’d love to know what I think of the Valdani threads so I had a quick rummage around in the sewing room for something to have a little trial with…

A Sarah Morrell block in progress using RJR Smithsonian fabrics, from the Rising Sun Quilt collection... the chintz is Potpourri #2200 in Purple and the small print is Teardrop #2207 in Plum.

…then remembered this nearly finished bit of Broderie Perse for my Sarah Morrell quilt.

I had been using one strand of DMC for the stitching and had been around all the raw edges except for the purple roses because I didn’t have the right shade of purple in my DMC threads.

The Valdani ‘Antique Violet’ #P-10 was a perfect colour match even though in the photo it appears to be closer in shade to the pieced fabric…because of its variegations it blends beautifully (is variegations a word?)

I am a quilter who refuses to obey the rules and I cut my thread (but not DMC obviously) longer than fingertip to elbow…always have… and sometimes/frequently I am sorry I did that, but like Homer Simpson I keep doing it. But this thread didn’t tangle or knot, it didn’t shred -granted it is meant to be stronger than DMC- and because it’s a bit thicker it gives a really nice edge to the Broderie Perse.

I like it a lot.

If you click on the photo it will give you a close up view, then click again on the green arrow to get a bit closer still…all the purple is Valdani and everything else is DMC -single strand.

I was so inspired I added two of the border strips – all four have been made for ages – but I won’t make the corner pieces just yet as I am concentrating on other projects. So this block will go away again but it’s slowly progressing on its journey.

Very soon everything in my sewing space will be turned upside down and inside out because it’s moving to a new home…

Yes...at last !!

…I know, you can hardly see anything but I had to do some major photoshop cropping because I am embarrased about the weeds.

My gorgeous son told me 6 weeks ago that he’s got his own place and I have been counting the days until he vacates the little cottage at the bottom of the garden..and that day is Friday.

I will love having my own “I’m off to work now” space because it’s so easy to get distracted when working from inside the house even though I do set myself quite regimented working hours. The cottage has a little kitchenette (more ette than kitchen) but it’s big enough for a fridge, a couple of cups -for visitors – and a coffee machine, it has its own loo and even a shower so I may never need to come out. I’m planning on moving my computer and printer over there too so I will have my design space and office under one roof.

Pictures from the inside coming soon-ish

6 Comments

Filed Under: 1800s Reproduction Fabrics, Applique, Broderie Perse, Sarah Morrell Album Quilt 1843, Smithsonian Fabrics

I really can’t go past a good Paisley…

April 14, 2011 by Margaret

Paisley n. 1 a pattern of small curving shapes with intricate detailing, usually printed in bright colours. (Collins English dictionary)

I might beg to differ about the bright colours bit…

I’m a creature of habit and I like my 10 am flat white in my favourite paisley cup…I try to stick to one coffee a day, but sometimes the aroma gets the better of me.

Its textile origins are Indian and Persian but the East India Company brought the Paisley shape to the rest of the world in the first half of the 17th century and production soon after began in Europe when the demand became too high. Marseilles in France was the forerunner (1640) but England and Holland soon followed.

Indian wood block for block printing fabric.

New Zealand doesn’t really have a textile industry but in the 1970s New Zealand’s own Crown Lyn pottery produced these beautys which I have now aquired from my Mum…yes these have survived in her cupboards for that long. Cute huh?

A little bit of Kiwi nostalgia.

But I digress…back to fabric

The industrial town of Paisley in Scotland was a centre for the manufacture of thread and linen in the 19th century and also the production of Paisley Shawls…the name taken from the town’s name.

I don’t know why I love paisleys so much…but I always have and I got some of my faves out to show you.

I couldn’t find a skerrick of this one in my stash when I went looking…but there must be some left because I had metres of it, metres and metres. However, here it is in a finished quilt.

A classic selection of Paisleys…anything in here you recognise? Some have been in the stash a while.

Red is probably the colour I use most in quilts and I have some lovely red paisleys.

I hope you’re not getting giddy…it’s visual overload isn’t it.

Got to have some light ones

Some I bought metres of with grandiose intentions of making something long since forgotten.

A serious paisley collector also needs a selection of different scaled paisleys…some small, some big, some inbetween.

I usually stick to only buying reproduction fabric but I really can’t go past a good paisley so if even if it’s modern I frequently succumb.

I even wear Paisley…

You won't lose me in a crowd.

And I haven’t even started on the two tubs of French Paisleys plus the Indian stuff

To be continued…

6 Comments

Filed Under: 1800s Reproduction Fabrics, Paisleys

Red and White ~ a Schoolhouse and some Stars

March 21, 2011 by Margaret

image of Judy's Red and White Schoolhouse quilt.

Do you have a quilt that you’ve always wanted to make…or more likely… several?

One of my perennial favourites is the schoolhouse quilt.

This one belongs to my very good friend Judy, it hangs in her workroom and I enjoy it every time I see it.

Judy's Quilt.

Judy used all (what I call) modern fabrics, there’s not a repro to be seen in this quilt but I love the look of it…it’s so crisp and fresh looking.

I have loved looking at Taryn’s virtual exhibition of Red and White Quilts and it still has a little while to go. I will add this lovely Red and White of Judy’s to the display.

I know many of you are heading to this Exhibition at the American Folk Art Museum in New York, and I wish you all bon voyage. I look forward to hearing and seeing all about it on your blogs in the coming weeks.

I managed to get some of my Red and White Ohio Star blocks made on the Saturday before last. I must be getting inspired by all the terrific Red and White quilts I’m seeing.

Ohio Star variation

I am making this for the Vic Quilters Showcase in July, a section of that annual exhibition will feature my local quilt group ~ The Goldfields Quilters.

The reverse applique circle is my own variation, just to lighten up the look of the block a little.

I have quite a few yet to make but spent a half day doing lots of precutting so when I have a day I can jsu sew, sew, sew.

2 blocks per pack

I am working my way through my stash of 19th Century reds, each pack has enough for two blocks and I’ve still got more to cut.

It’s been a trip down memory lane with some of the fabrics I can tell you.

Til soon…

8 Comments

Filed Under: 1800s Reproduction Fabrics, Design

Short post…with pics

I’ve been just a little bit preoccupied…

Catching up…again.

More treasures from the Sydney Quilt Show

Let’s just call this Smithsonian week..

I can’t believe it’s been a year…

An Ohio Star Strippy, more Maltaville …and something modern, eeeek.

Morrell and Valdani…and a new studio space

I really can’t go past a good Paisley…

Red and White ~ a Schoolhouse and some Stars

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