Christmas Quilts (Some)

 

We had snow over the weekend.  

All we want these days is a warm cuppa and a nice quilt!

The next two quilts I kept for myself and are using these days.  The second one I'll use through the winter.

I've made and gifted so many Christmas quilts that I can't remember who I made what for anymore!

I gave the one below to my sister-in-law and brother-in-law this year:

Have a safe and happy day!

Stars 3

 

Hello stargazers! 

If you are back you must like star quilts!

Today I'm featuring a quilt top circa 1940.

I should really finish this one but haven't thought about it for a while.

Another quilt top is from a century earlier.  This top features madder fabrics (the rusty brick colored fabrics).

One of my favorite pieces is this one from circa 1840. 

This is a HEAVY quilt.  The more quilting on a piece the warmer and heavier it becomes.  

One of my friends is always telling me I should hang my quilts up in my house.  Unfortunately, we have plaster walls and I just don't want to put any more holes in the walls.  This is the one she always said I should have up this time of year:

I'll be back next week with some Christmas quilts!

Have a safe and happy weekend!

More Stars

 

How are you doing?  

Are you still rushing around for Christmas?

I shouldn't be but my mother is driving me a bit crazy right now so I'm out and about a lot more than necessary. 😒

Above is a photo of a Moravian Star, the symbol of Bethlehem and today I'm continuing to post photos of star quilts.

This one is a piece I made for the Civil War lecture Beth and I created.  It's adorned with some small buttons of my uncles and a ribbon from a convention for the Ladies of the G.A.R.  

My great-great grandfather and his two older son all fought in the war.  

I have many star of Bethlehem quilts.  This one was a flux--it was hidden in a box of vintage fabric that I bought at an auction.  No one knew the quilt was in there--not even me--until I got home and began to pull out the fabric.  Nice surprise!  This quilt is from the early part of the 20th century:

I may have given this quilt away but I still have a photo of it.  It's from the last quarter of the 19th century:

Have a safe and happy day!

Stars

 

Hello!

It's a busy week so I thought I would post some photos of star quilts in honor of the holiday.  I tend to do this every year.  Stars are important in our area and the Moravian star is the symbol of nearby Bethlehem, PA.  

Quilt top is circa 1840.  Although the piece was hand quilted, my appraiser thought it might have been quilted later because the backing was seamed together with a machine.  Machines weren't common in households until after the Civil War.  Still plenty of folks did have them and they were often used to make quilts for the Civil War soldiers.

An oldie but goodie.  One of my favorite quilts which is ironic because I usually don't like strip quilts.  But for whatever reason I love this one and usually pull it out this time of year because of the red/green.  It is well loved and very soft!

Finally, a star quilt I made for my daughter.  Her favorite color is red and she loved the quilt.  I can't find a full photo of the quilt but you get the idea.  I don't often make star quilts because I already own so many in my collection. 

More stars tomorrow!  

Have a safe and happy day!

 

Burrito Baby

 

Hello friends!

I had some issues last week with vertigo and didn't post that much.  Fortunately, I already had an appointment with the ENT for Friday of this week so I'm hoping to find some relief.

My puppy though has been keeping company with me.  He is still checking on me although I'm feeling better.

When the boy is not being a wild child, he's actually quite a snuggle bunny.  He's also the perfect dog for me as he likes fabric.  Especially when I'm ironing or sewing.

I'd love to get a photo of him at night when he is wrapped up in blankets with me but I know it would disturb him too much.  I tell my husband all the time that he is a burrito baby 😁

Winter is here with a vengeance and we are bundling him up when he goes for a walk.  I am always surprised that he doesn't seem to mind so much!

Hope you are all doing well during this crazy week before the holidays.

Stay safe and warm!

Tuesday's This and That: December 10, 2024

 

How are you today?

I'm fairly skeptical about using AI (Artificial Intelligence) as a quilting tool.  I'm enough of a traditionalist to be wary of any computer program creating a pattern, much less selling one.  

No, I don't have a problem with EQ and other computer programs that assist us.  However--we live in a time of scams and cons that are meant to rob and hurt people.  

I've gotten a few emails about this from designers lately and wanted to share a few articles with you.

Here is a great article about AI and quilting. 

I'm hearing a LOT from embroidery designers and another good article is here.

One of the things that bothers me is that I doubt that anyone selling an AI embroidery design markets it as such.  We work with our hands and have good reason to shun a computer design.

Helen from Bustle and Sew wrote in an email that these designs are squeezing out the human designers and are being sold very cheaply.  In addition, she is concerned about embroiderers having unrealistic expectations about the pattern they think they should complete.

I'd like to hear your thoughts!

***

There is nothing to watch on tv.  By chance, I read that there was a Christmas movie on Amazon prime about a quilter.  It is called The Fabric of Christmas.  I watched it Sunday evening and it was much like a Hallmark movie.  The quilting in the movie is minimal (although a big part of the story) and unrealistic but whoever made the actual quilt that is shown later did a great job.  It wasn't spectacular but at least it wasn't a rerun.

***

Wishing you a safe and happy day!

Do You EPP?

 

Hello and how was your weekend?

Today I'm wondering if you EPP.

English Paper Piecing has been around for ages but it's become really popular during the last decade.  If you don't know what the technique is, there is a good tutorial here.   

There's a lot of shapes that one can make with this technique but the most popular appear to be hexagons.  And this is ironic because hexagons are really popular these days on decorating shows.  We must be in a hexie phase.😃

Lucy Boston (1882-1990) was a pretty famous English writer who loved to EPP.  Her books were primary for children but quilters everywhere seem to be talking about her EPP quilts.

If you are interested in reading more about here, here is an article you might be interested in:

Lucy Boston--Her Life, Her Patchwork, and Her Legacy of Design.

I'd love to know how many of you are doing EPP.  I'm looking into it but I'm not sure if I want to pursue this or not.  I sure have a lot of other projects to complete.

Have a safe and happy day!