RETRO ROCKETS #3

One of my 2021 goals is to dig around in my quilt closets, baskets, etc. to see what unfinished quilt tops I can find --- then, if it is worthwhile, finish them. 

I recently found this top (unquilted), along with another one in different fabrics and layout, but with the same two blocks; both tops were made in 2016.  The other one is quite wild in color and fabrics with a lot of fussy-cutting; so I plan to quilt it at a later date. This one feels more traditional.

The quilts are a combination of two different blocks combined to produce a secondary pattern; in this case, the illusion of circles.

Both quilt tops are a reincarnation of "Retro Rockets #1" and the pattern is included in my Traditional Two Block Quilts book, pages 77-82.

"Retro Rockets", 2004, 46"x46"

I don't hardly remember making either of these two tops that I just found, but I have enjoyed quilting this one recently.  As always, I'm still learning and experimenting with machine quilting using some of the design techniques that I used with hand quilting.  This one was tricky, on occasion, as I played around with an old high school geometry idea of a vanishing point (not actually, but sort of!!).  Sorry, Mr. Trechter -- he had high hopes of my profession as a mathematician.  Instead I became a quiltmaker; and married an engineer, who paid attention and followed Mr. Trechter's advice. 

I still love geometry though.

FOULARD TABLE RUNNER

This is a fun, easy and fast block suitable for beginners.

The block, itself, has no points to match and few interections.  However, a pieced sashing, as I have used here, increases the difficulty; but it is still easy for a beginner to master. The pattern for the block is on pages 30 and 31 of my book, Keepsake Signature Quilts.  It isn't necessary to use a plain fabric for a possible signature patch.  Spice it up with a favorite stripe fabric.

Table runners are small and manageable and an easy way to test out a new-to-you pattern.

The Stats:  Foulard, 2021, 16"x29", Machine pieced, Machine quilted.

WITHIN A TUDOR

My thought process during the making of this quilt was to reverse the lights and darks from a previous quilt I had made called "Tie That Binds".  I thought it would make a bigger difference in the pattern than it does.

The Stats:  Within a Tudor, 2021, 28"x28", Paper pieced, machine pieced, machine quilted.

Here is "Tie that Binds" as shown in my book, Keepsake Signature Quilts.  The quilt was make in 1996.

 

A story about "Tie that Binds" --- it was in a show at the Pioneer Museum, Colorado Springs, in 1996 where it was an award winner.  I was walking around viewing all the quilts, and happened to be at the quilt next to mine.  There were a couple of ladies looking at mine, and one said, "Well, that's certainly a waste of fabric."  I started giggling and had to walk away.  She didn't get the point as it is a written document with several generations of genealogical birthdates, etc. hand-inked in the beige patches. I had researched diligently our family history to make the quilt.  I learned that day that quilts are subjective like art, and are important to each individual maker.

I always try to learn something from each quilt that I make.  When making "Tie that Binds" I learned so much more about my family ancestry than quiltmaking then I heard the above comment about the quilt at the exhibit.  That was the real learning experience.

Not too much new learned from making "Within a Tudor" (named by my grandson) except that experimenting with lights and darks does not necessarily change the pattern.  I did enjoy playing with the different fabrics, however; and experimenting with machine quilting.  I don't think I'll ever be happy with my attempts at the machine quilting.

I hope you enjoy a new learning experience each day!

TEMPO TWO

In the past, I have enjoyed doing over and redesigning some of the patterns of my previous quilts.  Sometimes it is because I wasn't satisfied with the result of the older quilt; or maybe I just enjoyed making the quilt, and want to experience the process again.

With this quilt, I knew that rearranging these two little blocks from my original quilt, Tempo, would produce an entirely different quilt.

Tempo Two was scaled down from the original to 36 3-inch blocks to accommodate my need to machine quilt on my small domestic machine.

I also chose all older fabrics for this quilt from my scrap bins including one of my prized Da Gama browns.  The border fabric is an old Kaye England stripe that I have loved for years. I always like using the fabric scraps that I have on hand; it challenges me sometimes to figure out how to use the amount of fabric that I have.  Thus, it was necessary to match the pattern and piece the border in a couple of places.  

The Stats: Tempo Two, 2021, 24"x24", Paper pieced, machine pieced, and machine quilted.

The original Tempo quilt, as it was pictured in my book, Traditional Two Block Quilts is shown below.  The arrangement is entirely different containing 49 4-inch blocks, and was made in 2004.  The pattern for this quilt is on page 89 of the book.

My Da Gama fabrics were designed in England and manufactured in South Africa.  I had purchased a stack of the brown fabrics on a quilt trip back in the 1990s, and have used them sparingly over the years. This is all that is left of my stack -- every little scrap is saved for a future quilt.

 Here is a quilt that contains a sample of all of my brown Da Gama fabric collection.

Below is the brown Da Gama fabric I used in the new quilt.  The fabrics come in other colors besides brown.  I would love to have some in red.

BOHO JUXTAPOSITION

 I somehow missed the 1960s/1970s!  We were the right age to have had a roaring good time, too; but guess we were so entrenched in Bob building an engineering career, and I was busy rearing babies and feathering our nest.  Also, at the time, I was not interested in the feminist movement; as I was perfectly happy in the traditional stay-at-home homemaker role.  I always was and still am after 62 years of marriage. I cherish every day that I get to stay home.  I haven't minded the pandamic and my health issues during 2020 at all.

The one thing that I regret missing was all of the wild and crazy fabrics available for clothes and the home.  Therefore, I have always wanted to make a quilt with something a little wild.  Now that there are a lot of those fabrics in the market and quilt stores, it is now time for me to live in the 60s/70s!

This is a do-over of my previous quilt, Juxtaposition, now using mostly Kaffe Fassett fabrics with some others worked in.

The Stats:  Boho Juxtaposition, 2021, 23"x23", Paper pieced, machine pieced, and machine quilted.

Below is the first Juxtaposition.  Both quilts are actually more photogenic than some of my others. Did I just assign a human trait to a quilt?

Well, that is enough of the era for me.  By the way, I never owned a mini-skirt, bell-bottom pants, or a long flowing, brightly patterned dress.  I didn't want to scare my children.  Actually my grandchildren like this new quilt.

KEEPSAKE STAR RELIVED

After a couple of months working occasionally on this quilt, I finally finished it yesterday.

The "Keepsake Star" quilt first appeared in my book, "Keepsake Signature Quilts" in 2003.

The original quilt, made in 2001, as it appeared in the book:

I loved the way it came together with signature blocks, but I have wanted for years to make it in other fabrics.  

I'll always cherish the orginal quilt; as it is a reminder of a fun, teaching trip to Michigan --- thanks to a quilting friend from long ago, Helen Buzzell, of Marshall, Michigan.

This time around I chose reproduction fabrics (Civil War era), and scaled the pattern down for a smaller quilt.  However, the orginal pattern is in the book, page 60.

I wanted to try some different fabrics and color combining red and purple this time.

I'm finally, after five years, getting used to machine quilting; but I wish I could still be able to hand quilt.  This quilt contains some time-consuming machine quilting on my small domestic machine.  

The Stats:  Keepsake Star Relived, 2021, 29"x29", Paper pieced, machine pieced, and machine quilted.  Fun fact -- there are 200 star points in this small quilt.

This was really in my comfort zone --- going to try something new for me next!

SEA SPARKLES

In my reading up about "Sea Sparkle", I learned a new word ---bioluminescence.  I can not begin to duplicate nature's phenomena, but I enjoyed putting together this quilt.

It is in honor of our grandson, Wyatt, who is a U.S. Navy submariner.  Those that know him, know that he is always a SPARKLE in any group.

The Stats:  Sea Sparkle, 2021, 23"x 23", Paper pieced, machine pieced, and machine quilted, owned by Wyatt Cosat then he gifted it to his seadad, Anthony Gunderson.

This quilt was made to honor and support all the submariners of the USS Monpelier preparing to deploy in the Spring of 2021.

This is one of Wyatt's favorite childhood toys --- That is what a Navy submariner looks like as a kid --- a cookie monster waving goodbye!!

 

SPRINGFEST

 In anticipation of Spring, I decided to make a lighter, brighter small quilt instead of the darker quilts I have been making during the pandamic.  I was fooled that Spring was on its way --- not yet! The temperature this morning is 6 degrees fahrenheit; but the sun is shining bright in Colorado.

This is a charm quilt as every square is a different fabric.  It's always fun to search through my scraps to pick some of my favorites.  I've even included some of my best French fabrics from 20 years ago.

THE STATS:  "Springfest", 2021, 29"x29", Machine pieced, Machine quilted, 123 different fabrics.

I thought I would find something springy outside to photograph; but, alas, no such luck!  Maybe, soon. 

Find joy in this transitional season.

P.S.:  See that anchor in the lower right corner --- that's in honor of our grandson who is in the Navy celebrating his 19th birthday.

He is a joy we celebrate everyday --- the best Valentine present ever.

Happy Valentine's Day everyone.

DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE

2020 was quite a year, wasn't it?  I spent a lot of the year 'going down a rabbit hole'.  Sometimes, I was going down to search for information; but at times, it was just introspection.  Therefore, my first quilt for 2021 is entitled "Down the Rabbit Hole". 

This quilt may appear dark and foreboding; but to me it is a happy quilt.  I have really enjoyed my trips down each of my rabbit holes, gaining so much knowledge about pandemics, the U.S. political system, and current events.  Personally, I've enjoyed learning more about my ancestor's political involvement in the 1880-1930s; and how that shaped (or didn't) my thoughts and lifestyle for the last 82 years. Yes, 2020 was quite a year.

It is really a pineapple block on point just disguised by color and/or fabric choice.  I picked the fabrics of each block to indicate the intricate layers of my personal rabbit holes.

THE STATS:  "Down the rabbit hole", 2021, 22"x22", Paper pieced, Machine quilted, 529 pieces, 103 different fabrics.

May your New Year be safe and filled with joy!

UPSIDE, DOWN

I was working on this quilt the day in October when all of sudden I found myself in an ambulance on the way to the city for emergency stomach surgery.  I have recovered well, and now able to finish this small quilt.  It's named "Upside, Down", because the whole year has been that way.

I've always loved this little block, "Betsey's Block" --- I think this is my 5th or 6th quilt using it (I've lost track, and too lazy to check back in my documentation!).  At any rate, I usually think of the two little triangles as the top; but because of 2020, I've turned it upside down with the larger triangle on top.

Stats:  "Upside Down", 2020, 21"x27", Paper and Machine pieced, Machine quilted.

I'm so thankful to have my quilting mojo back; but the biggest blessing is to be able to celebrate Christ's birth this season.  May you also find that joy!

 

FINDING JOY

This is not really a quilt; nor is it an art project.  It is just what I have been working on the last month or so in reliving the joys of my life in this time of uncertainty. 

It became much more complicated than this picture appears; so instead of just doing a blog post about it, I have made a new page located below the heading above that explains the whole process.  Just click on the tab "Finding Joy" and it will take you to lots of pictures and explanations of the process if you are interested.  It is lengthy --- thanks to those who wade their way through it.  

I hope you are able to find a bit of joy every day in your own reality.

CAITLIN'S DOLL QUILT

Unearthed a long forgotten quilt that I didn't know where it was. 

This doll quilt was made in the early 2000s. Kathy Emmel and I embroidered the 'little girl' blocks on her embroidery machine; I then assembled it; and Sandi Fruehling machine quilted it --- a joint effort by old quilting friends. 

The day I finished binding it, I gave it to my granddaughter who was then a preschooler to take home for her doll. I never documented it at that time; nor ever saw it again.

 It's now documented for my records, and is now in Caitlin's possession again. She is now an adult; and was thrilled to get it back. She is saving it hopefully for a little girl of her own someday. 

Oh, the travels that quilts could reveal!!