Flower Friday: October 13, 2023

 

Let's celebrate the flowers as much as we can because soon the flowers will pass as winter approaches!

Violets in October?  

That is confusing, as Mary in Maine pointed out.  Thanks Mary!  This was a new one!

I also was confuse this week when I saw the clematis blooming again:

We have another batch of cleome blooming:

Thanks Mary for participating in Flower Friday!

Have as safe and happy weekend everyone!

Quilting Rules

 

Good morning!

I have rules about my own quilting, do you?

Here are some of my rules:

1.  Never sew, choose fabric or cut fabric without proper lighting.

2.  Never sew or cut fabric when tired.

3.  Never sew anything difficult when under duress.  

It's that last rule that gets me at time.  I often opt to choose a paper piecing project when I'm stressed because it's simple enough:  One, two, three, follow the numbers.  

Unless I forget to follow another rule.  4. Always follow directions carefully.

I finished a top that I began after our puppy Kerry passed.  It was the beginning of a bad week with family losses and illnesses.  I thought I was being so clever and used up batik scraps to make piece a quilt pattern called Winterbound.

On Monday, I pieced the borders and kept thinking something was wrong...and it was.  The top came out to a measly 45 x 54 inches.

By the way, this is the top upside down.  The designer actually planned that the points go downward but this is the way I photographed it, so there.

What went wrong?  The quilt was supposed to come out to 48 x 60 inches.  Well a very simple thing with paper piecing and I know this, dang it.  The instructions state:

"When printing, check your settings. You need to print the pattern with “No scaling” or “Actual size”. The template will measure 6.5” when printed correctly."  

I did not print correctly.

My blocks came out to 6 inches when they were supposed to be 6.5 inches.  I supposed I could add a border of some sort but most likely I will be taking the piece apart and making more blocks.  More on that later.

As if on cue, I then found another grief project that I messed up after Scout passed.  I had completely forgotten about it.

Ugh.  I even know what I did at the time.  I think I accidentally changed the needle position and now the HSTs are too small for the piece.  I have 110 of those hour glass blocks completed and need to decide what to do with them.

I should have just stuck to making blocks that didn't require a pattern.

Smaller batik scraps that couldn't be used in Winterbound were also paper pieced these past weeks.  I had a whole basket of Kona white scraps that I've been using up to make these:

The pattern came from Flying Parrot Quilts and I received this pattern when I signed up for the email list.  You can do the same thing by going to Sylvia's website here.  I'm not making the wall hanging per instructions but will probably just sash the blocks in the navy batik in the background.

It's important to follow your own rules about quilting or you will end up in a pickle too.

Tomorrow is Flower Friday and please email me if you have anything to share (allentownquilter@gmail.com).  

Wishing you a safe and happy day!

Victory Quilts Revisited

 

Good morning!  

I recently stumbled upon an article (here) about World War 2 quilts. What surprised me about the article was a statement that said that women who quilted were often referred to as "quilt warriors"; I don't ever remember reading that before.  It is possible I forgot.  I read Sue Reich's excellent book World War II Quilts years ago.  I did a newspaper search of the phrase but didn't come up with anything.

Women during this war, did do a lot to raise money...just as they had during World War 1 and the Civil War.  Most often all these women from all these wars raised funds by auctioning quilts.

Alabama, 1942

In Nebraska, this group raised $170.

Quite often, the textiles were signature quilts; people would pay a small amount to have sign the quilts.  In Ontario, Canada, one quilt raised $565 and the maker received a thank you note from Queen Mary.

The funds went to the Red Cross and often to buy War Bonds like the one below from Indiana:

Quilt patterns were generated throughout most newspapers and the funding assisted the war effort in so many ways.  I only have one in my collection, the "V" quilt:

Although many of the quilts were auctioned, others were used at home to raise morale and honor loved ones at the front.  I think this is one of those quilts.  

Wishing you a safe and happy day!

Tuesday's This and That: October 10, 2023

 

Happy Tuesday!

Baby it's cold outside!  There's something weird about going from hot and humid weather to 39 degrees Farenheit (temp this morning at 5 a.m. while I write this).  I remember when I was younger waiting until November to put the heat on.  I briefly put the heat on yesterday until the afternoon sun heated the house. 

 

I also donned my faux-silk long underwear which always does the trick.  I did have the silk version at one time but they didn't hold up as well as the polyester.  I hope you are staying warm!

***

Thirteen days until my hand surgery!  I've been sewing up a storm because I know it will be a while before I'm able to sew after the procedure.

Noreaster is done and is for our home.  I made it from snow themed scraps:

Another finish is this snowball quilt using 19th century reproduction fabrics.  I love the conversation prints in the center of each block.  It's a twin sized quilt and I'm not sure who I'm giving it to in my family, probably my brother.

Last winter I hit the Christmas stash and scraps fairly hard.  I had decided to make a couch quilt for Hugh, Jeff, and Drew's family.  I had already made one for Jenny last year.  I'm so glad I had these tops pieced.  It's more important to get these to them this year after the untimely passing of Paula (their Mom).  My machine quilter is making sure I get these done before the hand surgery.

This is one of two quilts that are the same.  The second one will be done this morning when I finish the binding.  The third piece is still at the quilter's but will be ready for binding later this week.

These quilts are full of little pieces that will inspire the imaginations of the boys' little ones.

Wishing you a safe and happy day!

Teddy Bear Quilts

 

Happy Monday!

Today I thought I would feature some Teddy Bear quilts and patterns.

Quilt block from a circa 1940s coverlet.

Nancy Cabot pattern, 1934

Pattern featured in the Omaha-World Herald, 1942

Laura Wheeler pattern, 1941

Below are some I found on Etsy:

For whatever reason, I think this one is from the 1950s or 1960s.

This one appears to be from the 1930s.  But I had the backing fabric in my stash at one time and the border on it is more modern than vintage.

I often find the cruder pieces most appealing.  Like this one from the first half of the 20th century.  I suspect it was supposed to be appliqued.

The last piece is from my collection.  Someone sent it over to me via one of my mom's friends.  They didn't know where it came from or who made it.  For whatever reason, I can't seem to part with it.  I just think it is adorable.

Have a safe and wonderful day!

Flower Friday: October 6, 2023

 

Happy Friday!

Well it's been a while since I shared anything for Flower Friday and obviously, you all have been busy as well.  I chose Chip and Dale for today's post because now that Kerry has passed, the chipmunks and squirrels seem to have invaded our garden.

Today we have some wonderful photos from Nann!

Bumblebee intent on liatris (blazing star)

Bracket polypore fungus.  Doesn't look like a flower?

Coneflower seed head:

Thanks Nann!

Back at our home front:  We couldn't attend Katie's wedding because of the funeral but Denise brought us a lovely bouquet of flowers.  Some of the flowers wilted quickly but the roses bloomed last week and were lovely!

Here's what's left of the bouquet.  I added some beauty berry to the vase.  It's the purple in the foreground.  My brother loves this bush right now.  He said, "It's Minnesota Vikings purple!"  

It cheered him up when he stopped by.  My sister-in-law had a stroke last week and I was glad to have something at my house that could make him happy.  We are all still praying she makes a full recovery.  September was a very painful month for the family.

I am whacking back things in the garden these days but was surprised by this pretty rudbeckia that decided to bloom.  Such a happy yellow!

Wishing you a safe and happy weekend!

Nursery Rhyme Quilt, Part 2

 

Today we continue with part 2 of the motifs for an outline quilt, designed by Baxter and McDonnell.

Tomorrow is Flower Friday and if you have anything to add, please email me at allentownquilter@gmail.com

Have a safe and happy day!