Friday, February 11, 2011

1930's quilt

I have yet a 3rd client stemming from my doing the Folsom Quilt & Fiber Guild's opportunity quilt. It's all so circuitous how these started, I can hardly believe that I have clients sending me quilts from northern California (pan back to my fall posts to learn more). Even stranger yet that I lived there and was actually part of the community in that area for 3 years, but didn't know any of them then. Some aspects of life really do come full circle. Anyhow, this quilt is being given to the guild's president in a month. I suspect that it's safe to post this here, that she won't fine my whereabouts (or her gift's whereabouts!). The client sent me this quilt, all from 1930's reproduction prints. Actually at least one of the blocks is from real 1930 prints too. I have learned from MQ Resource that this pattern is a 2008-2009 Fons & Porter pattern, and appeared on it's cover.
Its pretty large - around 78"x95" or so. There are still some yo-yo's to be attached to the vine ends and the flower centers on the applique borders. All in all, I think that the quilting compliments the quilt. It's light, feminine and free. I love when the quilting extends beyonds the lines of the piecing. It's more unexpected that way, rather than to just have the quilting follow the lines of the blocks & sashings.
I scalloped feathers around the border of the quilt, and put them coming off of the applique vines. Once the yo-yo's are added, it won't look like the feather starts so abruptly.
Despite there really being a lot of ditch (aka ruler) quilting, I did do much of the quilt freehanded. I want to get back to doing this more, and relying on the rulers so much. Rulers may be very exact, but using them is time consuming.
I added the ribbons within the straight lines mostly as an afterthought, because the space seemed underquilted. In hindsight, however, they seem so appropriate. I love how they soften the straight linework.
Here'sm y favorite block - who doesn't just love soft lavender??
The center of the quilt is quilted slightly different from the edges, just to set it off a little bit. I did the white filler areas with more feathering and pebbling. I could have done it identical to the periphery, with the small flowers & swirls, but this seemed to make a good focal point. Dontcha think?
The back is a light green gingham. It was terrifically forgiving, not really showing anything but the texture. I like it when backings look that way, rather than being a mass of a zillion threads.
The only regret with this quilt I have has to do with the white fabric. As you all have read dozens of times here, I hate thin white fabrics! I picked out more and more dark migrant threads that were not trimmed well or came from the darker prints. If you have to spend more money anywhere, let it be on a good weight white!!!
Cheers, and have a very nice (and if at all possible, warm!) weekend.

10 comments:

  1. Beautiful quilt and beautiful quilting!

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  2. That is a fabulous quilt! I love the pattern but am in awe of how you quilted it. Please email me offblog as I have a quilt I'd like
    done and need an estimate.
    Regards,
    anudge(at)gmail(dot)com

    and yes, we are having a warm weekend - mostly in the mid 70s predicted.

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  3. Fabulous quilt! You must be proud. I am new to your blog so if you mentioned this before, what is your favorite white background fabric?

    I too hate the thin show all fabrics.

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    1. JoAnn has a great high quality white muslin with a high thread count that is my go to. I've found it to be the best white fabric out there. Don't let the muslin in the name fool you. It's perfect!

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  4. It's beautiful and your quilting is lovely!

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  5. I love this pattern. And your quilting is superb. Been looking for the pattern - does anyone know where I can find it? Thanks :)

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  6. This is such a beautiful quilt. I purchased the ebook from Fons & Porter and plan to make it in king size also I the 1930's fabrics.

    Your suggestion about purchasing good quality fabric is a great one. Can you suggest a particular white/ off white that you would recommend. I've started looking around and there are so many it is very confusing.

    Thanks,
    Kathy

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  7. what good weight white fabric do you find the best? terrific quilting

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  8. For the next person who comes looking for this pattern,it's in the July/August 2009 issue of Fons & Porter's Love of Quilting. http://www.shopfonsandporter.com/product/fons-porter-love-of-quilting-july-august-2009-digital-issue/magazine-issues

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    Replies
    1. Thank you for the pattern info. Had been looking for it too :)

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