NOSTALGIA

In an effort to use up some of my fabric/scraps, I need to make more quilts!!!  In this effort, I thought I would make a new table runner to use with my pink transferware dishes.  I've had a yard of solid blue fabric around for probably at least 20 years; and, also, a bin marked 'depression era reproductions' left over from projects in 2001 and 2004.  I like pastel quilts with a black background; but since I had this blue I thought I would give it a try.  I think it kind of works???

It is always interesting to combine two different blocks to produce a secondary pattern.   I have combined a traditional pineapple block and a log cabin variation block in this runner.

I'm surprised that these fabrics marketed as 'depression era' fabrics are actually quite uplifting and charming.  That might have been their purpose to give the home sewer a reason to carry on in those depressing times.

THE STATS:  Nostalgia, 2024, 18" x 30", Paper pieced, Machine pieced, Machine quilted.

I was a depression era baby, and my baby quilt (a Sunbonnet Sue) contains very similar fabrics.  My baby quilt was made by my grandmother so I hope I have the "carry on" gene in my DNA.

THE GOLDEN YEARS

As an octogenarian, I feel so blessed to have arrived into 'The Golden Years".  I'm  fortunate to still be able to do what brings me joy each day.  Among those blessings include being able to create quilts.  Due to age and health restraints; my methods have changed some what, but I hope my aesthetic has not.  I now only make smaller quilts, which I consider just 'idea quilts' -- quilts that I would make in larger scale if I didn't have physical limitations.  The quilts are basically simple; nothing too complicated and based on traditional frugality.  I've never claimed to be innovative nor particularly creative; but my brain keeps spewing out ideas, so I just keep at it!

One of the things I enjoy is finding the repeat of motifs in a piece of fabric; then repeating it and rearranging it in a quilt block, also known as 'fussy cutting'.  Time to enjoy that process again in this quilt.

THE STATS:  The Golden Years, 2024, 30" x 30", Paper pieced, Machine pieced, Machine quilted.

ANXIETY AND OVER STIMULATION????

I had the opportunity to visit some out-of-town quilt stores in the last week.  The minute I walked in the doors, I felt just a pang of anxiety.  There were so many bolts of really bright color, wild prints, theme (Christmas, Halloween, Dinosaurs, etc. etc.) fabrics, unusual motifs that I have trouble relating to, racks of patterns, to me useless notions, and numerous samples.  In addition, there was background music to distract my mission.  I know that I am an old-school, traditional quiltmaker; and, obviously, out of touch and not trendy.  I've been quilting for at least 50 years; and just want to make pretty quilts relying on inspiration from the natural and architectural environment; and my own creativity.  

So, I put on my grown-up mindset to search for what my personal aesthetic deems to be beautiful fabric.  I'm not good at estimating the number of bolts of fabric I saw, but I figure that there must have been 2000+++!  Not counting the 'blenders', I only saw maybe 10 bolts of focus fabric that I would consider building a quilt around.  I didn't purchase much.

I know, I know; I am seriously out of touch with the current quilt industry.  I do not wish to disparage any other quiltmaker, designer, or shop owner.  I understand economic theory.  You do what you do; I'll do what I do.  I guess that is what makes the quilting world go around!

I'm just interested to know if I'm alone, or if there are others who experience the same feelings.  Comments?

LIGHTNING STRIKES

The idea that quilt blocks do not have to be square is always fun to explore.  In the middle of the night (my usual time to think about those things), this idea came up.  The first thing the next morning, I drew this up; and put it in my pile of designs I wanted to try.  While I wait to go shop for some fabric I need to finish another quilt, this seemed the right time to start this one.  I knew I could raid my scrap bins for the fabric I needed to get started.  The story continued as I had no idea of what else I would need to complete the idea.

I have spent the last 40 years always searching out what might be a suitable striped fabric to use in a future quilt, but never knowing where or when I might find one.  Well----- I found one; and not in a store or my own sewing stuff, but in a box of our memorabilia.  

  Fifty-five years ago, we hung some wallpaper in the dining room of our house in Montana.  At the time, I also purchased the matching fabric to make the curtains.  We moved back to Colorado before I was able to make the curtains.  So, packed away was this wonderful five yards of 100% cotton quilt-weight striped fabric from Waverly.  I had forgotten about it, but there it was!!!  Part of this wonder-fabric is now in this quilt and on the back.  And, this is one reason I continue to quilt -- the mystery, discovery, and challenge of it all.

THE STATS:  Lightening Strikes, 2024, 32" x 30", Paper pieced, Machine pieced, Machine quilted.

P.S:  We have moved to 7 different houses since that house in Montana.  Guess it is time to go through stuff and downsize.

Here's a poor 1970 picture of that dining room wallpaper in the Montana house!

"H" IS FOR HUMANITY

 Since we recently visited the Amache Japanese WW2 internment camp site; I have been thinking how I could honor, with a quilt, the courage of these American citizens that were interned during this inequitable part of our history.  All humankind deserves to be treated with dignity and respect.

 Thanks to my friend, Marsha, who gave me the scraps from a quilt she made that had a Japanese aesthetic; combined with the traditional H block, it all came together.

THE STATS:  "H" Is For Humanity", 26" x 28", Paper Pieced, Machine Pieced, Machine Quilted

My Story:  As a child during World War Two, I remember hearing about the Amache Japanese internment camp.  My family, as farmers, secured work release permission to hire and to bring some of the interned young men to our farm to help in the harvest.  They were paid the going salary, given transportation, and a place to stay during this temporary employment.  I inherited a significant amount of paper work that documents the salaries paid, etc., which I have donated to the Amache museum.  My hope is that the internees were treated with the respect that they deserved while they were at our farm.  Several remained as friends with my family after they were released from the camp and returned to California.  Some of the most cherished gifts we received at our wedding in the late 1950s were from these courageous and special people.

P.S.:  Our son has visited Japan several times; and has, in the past, brought me back Japanese fabric.  I have included pieces in this quilt.

DIAMOND SPARKLE

I first envisioned this block to be in a quilt combining two different blocks to produce a secondary pattern, and it may still show up in that layout in the future.  However, I decided that these little gems needed to sparkle on their own; and have decided this time on a simple setting with a narrow sashing.  Sometimes simple is best.

THE STATS:  Diamond Sparkle, 2024, 30" x 34", Paper Pieced, Machine Pieced, Machine Quilted.  Number Nerd Report:  126 different fabrics used; 591 pieces total.

This quilt is of the type I enjoy making the most.  It involves frugality; all are pieces from my scrap bins (down to 1" wide); small (3 1/2" square) blocks; and muted colors (usually reproduction fabrics).  I like the challenge to use what I have on hand to make a quilt project (in this case, sewing together five pieces of fabric to make the backing). 

 I'm really fond of this quilt!!

BOX OF CRAYONS

 As a child I loved (and was very possessive of) my box of crayons.  I don't think I ever  had a box with more than 8 - 10 crayons in it.  The box of 64 was not issued until 1958 and the box of 96 in 1993 long after my childhood.  But, I'm sure I dreamt of more colors than were available in that small box at the time.

Now, I can make quilts with as many colors as I want!  My dreams are still color oriented.

THE STATS:  Box of Crayons, 2024, 33" x 33", Paper pieced, Machine pieced, Machine quilted.  

Going with the theme of a box of 96 crayons; I used 96 different fabrics/colors in the patchwork.  That did not include the border or backing fabrics.

I chose this fabric for the back because it reminds me of my childhood crayon doodles.

About the quilting --- I had some variegated thread in my stash from years ago that I have not used very much.  Because of my frugal nature, I needed to use them.  Since this quilt is about color, I thought why not now.  I had 8 different spools in various colors from 6 different brands.  My favorite spool was a Gutermann cotton.  My least favorites were the rayons, at least for this application.  Over all, I'm on the fence about the effect of variegated thread for machine quilting. 

 

My apologies to my childhood friends for not sharing my crayons with you.  What was I thinking? --- COLOR is meant to be shared to bring joy into life! 

There was a Crayola factory in Winfield, Kansas where my grandparents lived. We drove by it many times which always fueled my dreams, but I never got to tour!  The Winfield factory was closed in 1997, but the Binney & Smith (Crayola) company has offices and factories worldwide today for all those kids who are fortunate to have a box of crayons all their own.

P.S.:  Yes, that is my current box of 96 crayons -- all gradated according to color!!!

THOUGHTS ON FRUGAL, OLD-SCHOOL QUILTMAKING

 Quiltmaking was born of necessity originally for the purpose of using scraps and parts of worn-out clothing to make items for warmth.  The process has grown exponentially into the industry that we experience today.

DISCLAIMER:  I admit that I am a lousy consumer of this industry.  It's not that I disagree with it; and I applaud the very talented and industrious people who are the designers, owners of businesses, etc.  It's just that my quilt story is different.  

MY BACKSTORY ---   

My mother starting to work outside of the home when I first went to school.  Therefore, I spent a lot of time with my two grandmothers, and my two great-grandmothers.  These were women who had just emerged from the 1930s depression, and then from World War II; and I think their middle names were "FRUGAL".  These are the women who after a day of hard work around the house and gardens taught me the joy of 'fancy work'.  I made my first quilt at the age of 11 in 1950 under their tutelage without a pattern and from scraps of their housedresses and aprons. 

 I knew then that quiltmaking was something I wanted to pursue.  Thus, started my journey.

DESIGN

In the 1940s, about the only patterns available commercially were in some women's magazines, or on a page devoted to wives in farming journals.  It was necessary to trace them off, and make your own templates on cereal-box cardboard.  I loved math in school, and started to think of all of the geometric shapes that could be made into a quilt.  I pulled out the graph paper; and begun to learn more about quilt-block classification, figuring yardages and sizes.  I have never had a need to purchase any patterns, due to my do-it-yourself, frugal upbringing.  However, I'm fortunate to have been inspired and influenced by traditional quilts, innovative contemporary quilts, architecture, museums, and my experiences of domestic and European travel .

TOOLS

As a 16-year old, I purchased my first sewing machine, a Domestic straight-sewer, for $45 on a payment plan.  I didn't get to take that machine home for nine months until I  paid it off!  I bought my second machine, a zig-zag White, in 196l for $125 cash.  I wore those two machines out until parts for them were no longer available.  In the 2000s, I purchased a Viking with a few embroidery features, and I now have a Bernina 335.  Both machines were economy models.  I love them -- I'm not interested in more features as I want to tell the machine what I need, and not vise versa (I'm a control freak).  With my very first machine, my grandfather taught me how to maintain, repair, and service my machine.  In 70 years of sewing, my machines have been very economical to own.

GADGETS

In the early 1980s, I purchased two sizes of Gingher scissors, a Kai-cut rotary cutter, and  6", 12", and 24" rulers.  I've never had a need to replace these, and still use them daily.  My ironing surface is an adjustable ironing board I received at my wedding shower in 1958.  I have replaced my irons occasionally over the years after using them for both household use and for quilt making.  I always buy the cheapest on the market, and they last several years after extensive use.  That's about it -- what more have I needed?

FABRIC

Now, I get to my downfall.  I love fabric!  When I first began buying fabric, I had very little disposable cash available.  I found that I would rather have four different fabrics than a yard of a same fabric.  Thus, I would pick up four fat quarters every time that I had the money available.  After 40 years, I have a very acceptable collection of small pieces and scraps for multi-fabric quilts.  I never buy larger lengths on speculation; and in my frugal nature, only purchase yardage for what is absolutely necessary for backings, borders, or bindings on a specific quilt.  Then the small scraps from these purchases are saved for future quilts.  I'm often able to construct quilts with just what I have on hand.  I always check the quilt store's sales, and love their bonus rewards programs.  It usually takes me two to three years to accumulate those points to cash in, but what a fun shopping day that is!

I'm amazed by what is on the market today for quiltmakers -- kits with laser cut pieces, patterns galore, more gadgets than I can count, fancy sewing machines that can practically cook dinner for you.  If I was just starting out with the hobby (or business) of making quilts, I don't know how I would react.  It's all amazing to this old-school quiltmaker!

Now, we are retired on a limited income; and I still find such joy in making quilts drawing on those concepts handed down from my grandmothers of frugality and thankfulness for what I have and learned in life.

P.S.:  I would probably buy that sewing machine if it would cook dinner for us.  

REVIVAL OF AN UFO

There has been a box marked UFOs sitting on the top shelf of my sewing room closet that I know hasn't been opened for at least 20 years.  I found lots of interesting things in it that I don't even remember making.  Among them was this quilt top.  In digging into my memory bank, I think it must be from about 2003.  That was the time I was busy making quilts for a book I was writing about combining two blocks to form secondary patterns.  The publisher then notified me that I had too many pages of quilts/patterns, and that I would have to eliminate two of them.   Obviously I wasn't going to need this one; so I must have just folded it up and stored it away.

I've decided to revive this unfinished project by quilting and binding it; if for no other reason, because the fabrics are interesting and from the early 2000s.  The design is simple, and I love the two traditional blocks combined.

THE STATS:  Revival, 2003-2024, 29" x 29", Machine pieced, Machine quilted.

My quilt making style has not changed much over the years -- I would still make this revival quilt again.

STRINGING ALONG

 String quilts are always fun as you can use a variety of scraps without a lot of thought in choosing colors/patterns.  I've done many variations of a string quilt over the years, but decided I wanted to add some applique to this one.  The idea of applique on patchwork has always intrigued me.

THE STATS:  String Along, 2024, 31" x 31", Paper pieced, Machine pieced, Hand appliqued, Machine quilted.

I didn't intend for this quilt to have a Christmas look; but it is leaning that way, and I'll probably use it during that season of joy!

MIGRATING AGAIN

 Here is the table runner I mentioned in my Fall Migration quilt post yesterday.   Even though Fall is my favorite season in nature, I struggled working with the fabric colors of orange, copper, gold, etc.  So, I decided to do the same layout in colors and fabrics more in tune with my personal aesthetic. 

This was much easier for me to work with -- don't know why as I've made many, many multi-fabric and different color quilts over the years.  

THE STATS:  Migrating Again, 2024, 16" x 28", Paper pieced, Machine pieced, Machine quilted.

FALL MIGRATION

In this quilt, two simple blocks were combined, each block repeated 32 times, and  rearranged to produce a secondary quilt design. 

I like this new arrangement of the blocks.  It is different from quilts I have made using the two blocks previously, but I'm not happy with the choice of fabrics.  I try hard to embrace a bunch of bright colors together, but I can't seem to make them work cohesively.

To fully conquer this new layout, I'm beginning a table runner in this design with fabrics that better suit my aesthetic.  We'll see if it is the fabrics or the layout bothering me.  Check my next post on "Migrating Again".

THE STATS:  Fall Migration, 2024,  27" x 27", Paper pieced, Machine pieced, Machine quilted

Even the back is pretty bright, as I used scraps to piece it together!

The first quilt that I made using these two blocks was in 1988, and was pictured in an article I wrote for Quilter's Newsletter Magazine, issue #294 in 1995, about creating secondary patterns with two blocks.

Migration #1

 I made a second quilt in 1995 with the same two blocks, different color/fabric, with patches for signatures; and it was included with the pattern in my book, Keepsake Signature Quilts.

Migration #2