Friday, June 25, 2021

DOLL QUILTS #3, #4, #5

My previous post shows doll quilts #1 and #2 and explains why I'm making these tiny objects.  I have now completed #3, #4, and #5, and am through with doll quilts for the time being.  I think five are enough for the purpose.  Besides these "not so nimble anymore fingers" are tired of sewing on 1/4" finished binding! 

Number 3


The Stats: "Triangle Doll Quilt", 2021, 11" x 16", Paper pieced, Machine pieced, Machine quilted. 2.5" blocks.

Number 4


The Stats:  "I Spy Doll Quilt", 2021, 13" x 16", Machine pieced, Machine quilted.    1.5" blocks.

Number 5


The Stats:  "4-Patch Doll Quilt", 2021, 12" x 15", Machine pieced, Machine quilted. 1.5" blocks.

Below is the first doll quilt I made at age 11 under the tutelage of my grandmother.  I was more interested in learning to quilt, than playing with dolls at that age.  But we decided to make the quilt for my favorite doll from early childhood, a baby-sized boy doll named Jerry.  It is made from my grandmother's sewing scraps reminiscent of the 1940-1950 era.

The scraps I have used for my current doll quilts may not be consistant with our image of doll quilts, but I used what I had refusing to buy anything new just for a doll quilt.  That's what my grandmother did!


The next post will be with the miniature cupboard that Bob has almost finished.  It is adorable!


Saturday, June 19, 2021

DOLL QUILTS #1 and #2

 Back in the 1990s when Bob's mother was downsizing, in the basement was a child's miniture cupboard that his Grandpa Bloyd had made for Bob's sisters.  Knowing that he would not inherit it, he photographed and took measurements of it at that time.  He has wanted to duplicate it since then; and is now working on it.  When it is completed, I will blog again about it.  He mentioned that it would be charming as a little quilt cupboard ---- that is all I needed to hear, and I am now making doll quilts to fill some of the shelves.  I have completed two with more in the works!

This one measures 10.5"x15"
with 2.5" blocks.
 
The flying geese blocks are 1"x 2" and the
quilt measures 11.5" x 15.5".

To minimize bulk, I'm not using any batting, but using flannel for the backs.  The binding is single fold, 1/4" finished.  They are paper pieced and machine quilted.

They are enjoyable to make taking very little time in comparison to a larger quilt; and use up lots of little scraps. 

To be continued ---------

Monday, June 14, 2021

H BRAND/H BLOCK



A letter H quilt has always been on my quilt bucket list. 

 As the legend goes, the H block was developed to mimic the flags with a large H on them in the civil war to indicate a hospital.  It was turned into a quilt probably by a mourning mother or widow.  



The Stats:  H Brand, 2021, 21"x29", Machine paper pieced, Machine quilted.

My attraction to the block has been that it is the first letter of my maiden name.   The Haines family came to Colorado in 1886, pioneering in the sheep and cattle industry.  I inherited their sheep brand, which is a wooden large H.  Our sheep were not branded like the cattle; but the wooden brand was dipped in blue paint, then imprinted onto the lambs.



Of course, I also have pictures from the 1930s --


My grandfather in the sheep pens in the 1930s.
I always remember him dressed this way with a tie,
even working the ranch/farm.

My grandfather (2nd from left) and his cronies in the cattle pen in the
1930s.  These weren't cowboys, they were business men.