Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Finishing Up Some Blocks

Yesterday and today I finished putting together the aqua-red-white quilt blocks. Don't they look festive! I need to cut sashing and cornerstones next, but I did not feeling like doing rotary work tonite.

So I pulled out this project. The pieces are already pinned together! How convenient!
The pieces are leftover from this Topsy Twosy project.
Once sewed together, those pieces can be laid out in different ways. 
It will be fun to play with layouts when the blocks are finished!

Monday, July 25, 2011

Two Quilt Rescues

I went to an estate sale on Friday. The woman who passed away was a quilter, and I found a few things I could use. I returned at the end of the day on Saturday, just to see what was left. Not much!

The pieces of this old hand-appliqued quilt still sat rumpled on one shelf. No one was interested, and I knew it was bound for the dumpster if I did not take it home. I think I paid $4 for it.

All in all, the quilt is in decent shape. I have no idea why three of the applique blocks were cut from the background fabric. Perhaps the ivory was badly damaged or stained. Still, it makes me so sad that it had been torn apart.
I have not seen this particular pattern before; it does remind me a bit of Hawaiian applique.


Here is a close-up of one of the blocks. It measures 24" square. Like I said, it is completely hand-appliqued, and the blocks and borders were hand sewn together. It had never been sandwiched and quilted, but there is discoloration, so I am guessing it was used, maybe as a summer bed topper?
The maker did a beautiful job of the applique process. The stitches are very even and neat. I am impressed!
 Here is the border, where you can see discoloration.
I don't know what I will do with this beauty, but it deserves to be re-assembled. I have no idea how to go about doing that.


Here is a second rescue quilt that I purchased two years ago at a garage sale for $35. It is HUGE, king size. It is completely hand pieced! I have never seen this pattern, either, but I love the optical illusion that is created overall.  You can see the damage; I will be able to repair it by cutting off the far end and using the good pieces to repair the right side and the hole in the center.
 Here is another picture that shows the pattern. It is all inset seams, and they all align beautifully.
 A final close-up of the quilt, showing the colors the most accurately...
This one has never been sandwiched and quilter either. I don't think it has been washed, and I am quite afraid that the red will run terribly!

Home Again

Daughter and I took a road trip to the Midwest. Rosey the dog came along in the backseat...
Daughter appointed herself photographer...
On the way, we stopped to visit these guys...
We finally arrived at my parent's home for lots of relaxation. We did some walking...
...and I did a little sewing...
We went especially to attend the 100th anniversary of my Great Grampa's arrival in America from Holland. (Sorry, no pics of either event.)

After three weeks absence, we made it home...
and 18 hours later we boarded one of these...
...so we could camp with friends...
...and keep an eye out for these!

I am now home again for the rest of the summer.
To get into the mood for some wonderful weeks working on WIPS, I played with some scraps and made a patriotic doll quilt!
Hopefully I will be able to blog on a more regular basis now that life is returning to normal!