"Buttons and patches and the cold wind blowing,
The days pass quickly when I am sewing"
~Author Unknown

Thursday, March 31, 2011

Something quilty this way comes.....

And it is high time! I have been doing lots of quilt projects but have not shared any lately on the blog. No idea why but here are two of them...

I missed posting last month on the day of our quilt group. I have since then not only made two months worth of blocks but also decided on a major change for my own Farmer's Wife sampler. First, I removed the blocks with red in them as I am going to make a small sampler for my mother using only red accents in the blocks. It is her favorite color and I kept thinking as I was sewing the patchwork that my mother would love them. So now she can.

Then I decided to use 25 blocks to make a smaller square sampler using my blocks. I arranged the blocks in a pleasing order and needed to start setting them with sashings, cornerstones and setting triangles. I am giving the group the information this month so they can start adding sashing with the idea that you do not have to do it all at once at the end this way. I needed to decide on which fabrics I would use myself. I wanted to use a darker shade of brown for the sashing. I also knew I want to use a fabric in my stash with a stripe which I think will make the border striking. Then can the big choice (as I really like them both) between old rose or cream background for the floral stripe. And the winner is.....

I went with the cream background as I thought it brightened up the overall quilt. What is it about brown that works so well in a quilt to me? I love brown and find it works well with so many other colors. Brown and pink are one of my favorite combinations. This is a Farmer's Wife in the Garden quilt. *grins*

Another quilt project I started a while back is the Civil War BOW (block of the week) quilt. I am having trouble getting into this project enough. I just find the blocks so large after many small sampler blocks as well as doll quilts. *sigh* I think once I get enough finished (and no I am not making them all) so that I can start playing with a setting, I will enjoy them more. I specifically wanted to dig into my old purples for this quilt. It seemed too two dimensional to me so I started to add touches of red which is really making it zing.

I need to finish the last bits of a border on a doll's quilt so it can be finished off. It will stay a surprise for later when I have it finished though. I think doll quilts are just about my favorite things to do. I love to stitch over one for the small look and love the small quilt blocks too. Perhaps it is all a normal thing following my efforts for three years now to work from stash only?

I also am hand quilting a row robin that was made by my quilt group a number of years ago. Back to the quilting and more about it soon.

"All the flowers of tomorrow are in the seeds of yesterday."

24 comments:

Jantine said...

Wat een goed idee om twee quilts te maken van je farmers wife blokken. Je sampler ziet er geweldig uit met de streepjes stof!

Anonymous said...

They are all beauties..each and every block! I enjoyed my visit!

barbara said...

You just knock me out with the gorgeous quilting, Heidi! Astonishing!!

Jackie's Stitches said...

Your itsy bitsy FW blocks are wonderful! Brown just seems to complement everything. The cream background really works and highlights your beautiful blocks!

Jenny said...

I love your quilts Heidi, they are beautiful as always :). I need to get back to quilting...I have a quilt that I made over New Years that needs to be hand quilted, it is just waiting patiently for me, but I have either been stitching or crocheting...Hmmmm maybe I will be inspired....Hugs from CA.

DonnaTN said...

Your Farmer's Wife quilt is stunning! You are so good with color combinations. The Civil War quilt will be great and those blocks do look huge in comparison.

Pondside said...

Lovely.
I'm following another blogger who is doing the Civil War blocks - interesting!

Ginny said...

Your quilts are beautiful, as always!

carine said...

Wat zijn ze mooi die blokken! Je Sampler straal t gewoon.Groetjes uit Brugge Carine

Heidi said...

Your work is beautiful and inspiring as always. I need to get back into blogging, but like you, I've been busy hand quilting, and I've come to love it!
The Civil War blocks look great and I agree, doesn't purple just add that bit of "something" to a quilt?

Christine said...

Your quilts are beautiful Heidi

Hazel said...

Your quilting always amazes me! x

Carolien said...

Looks great again, Heidi! I can see now what the little touch of red you talked about, is doing ...
I have been very busy with my sheep but will start with my next block today.

See you next week & hugs, Carolien

Anonymous said...

The Farmer's Wife and Civil War quilts are going to be so beautiful. And I love the pictures you put in your header.
Lillian

onlymehere said...

Beautiful blocks! I too have been sewing from my stash and it's actually pretty satisfying to see the stash get lower and lower. I love the colors you used too.

Elizabethd said...

They are so lovely Heidi, and as ever, I love your choice of soft colours. You've been so very busy!

Anonymous said...

Oh Heidi, zo wordt het wel een hele mooie quilt met al die tere tinten.
Als je zo doorgaat heb je bij een e.v.t. volgende verhuizing veel minder werk aan je lapjeskast.Toppie.
Liefs en hugs, Bep.

Linda said...

Heidi, what beautiful quilt blocks...the colors are just beautiful...hugs,Linda

Teri said...

Love the color palette on the Farmer's Wife quilt! The brown sashing and the stripe border really add to the beauty of this piece.

Annie said...

I like your pink and brown quilt. The pieces sem so little.Ididn't quilt for years, perhaps in a few monthes ?

Nancy said...

Okay, I definitely like the top on best. I also don't think the larger blocks are as nice. Your colors suit you perfectly, andddddddddddd I KNOW THE RED ONES WILL BE PERFECTTTTTTTTTTTT. LOL.
Love you, Mom
Right now you are too busy using a hook, not a needle. hahaha

Mary said...

Your quilts are awesome! Doll quilts are a great way to finish a quilt in a little bit of time.

Barbara J said...

What lovely blocks! And their perfectly pieced too!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful quilt blocks and your handiwork is perfect. So admire all you stitch! Rowena