Think small....

GRRRRRR!!!  I can't be the only one
having trouble with blogger software!
Pictures aren't staying where they are put, and font styles just change when they want to!

Forgive my rant...  I've been cutting up small pieces of fabric, into smaller pieces of fabric then sewing them back together again.  You know, that almost fits into a psychiatric diagnosis...  just saying...  there's a bit of crazy in this art form... just a bit!

Anyway, I love how the blocks are turning out.  They measure 6.25".  I'm not sure, but I'm thinking a doll size quilt (really for my wall of small quilts) will be this projects fate.  I love the cheddar fabric.  I find it amazing how well it plays with all the other fabrics.
I've also got an Ohio star project going using the same cheddar solid as a background.  

So, I'm thinking this will be almost ready to put together tomorrow... or later tonight if sleep doesn't come.

I have another dozen or so blocks cut out, so will finish those before making more big blocks.

I'm thinking an applique boarder would be nice, something simple.  Maybe....

Enjoy your Sunday.

This is one of my summer projects.  The panel shown is 1 of 9 that when joined will make a 120" square quilt.  Each panel is 41" square.  I am machine quilting each panel first, then will join the big panels into rows.  Eventually, I  hope to have a quilt that will completely cover my tall king size bed. 

I'm not real excited about the birds.  They are cute, but I've seen them one time too many!  Everyone who sees the birds likes them, so hopefully I will like them more when the quilt is finished.

I've made one other quilt this way.  It was over 20 years ago, and I think the centers were pieced stars, and it had lattice strips and 6 1/2" blocks to set between the blocks.  I do enjoy making "quilts  as you go".  There is no wrangling huge pieces of fabric, and basting is much easier.  Correct math and seam allowances are very important when making the blocks.  There will only be 2 long seams to join the strips of blocks.  To have a finished quilt of this size, I will gladly wrangle the long seams.  I plan on machine quilting the entire quilt, even the back joining seams.  I've planned to make this a reversible quilt.  I am backing each 41" panel with giant rail fence blocks made out of batik.  I think I'll like the back more than the front.

Each back panel will have 4 long strips of batik.  I will alternate the direction of the stripes to make the rail fence pattern.

I already have ideas to more king size quilts in this manner.  I'm trying to satisfy my creative urges by drawing the blocks, and writing my new ideas in my quilt journal.  There are way too many unfinished projects stacked on my shelves to start anything new for awhile!!

Back to work for me--I'd like to finish the first row tonight. 

Grandma Fannie

This is Fannie Price Herman.  She was my mother's great-grandmother.

I've been investigating her life, but really haven't come up with anything new except that she was born in Texas.  I do know that she was a pioneer, and helped to settle the Arizona Territory in the 1920's.  She and her family lived in big white tents on land they homesteaded and grew cotton.  

Recently I've thought about her and her life a great deal.  My mother had a quilt top (below) in her cedar chest for years, that Fannie had made.  Several years ago, I talked Mom into letting me quilt it.  I was a bit hesitant initially because honestly, I thought it was UGLY!  But I did bring it home, and it's taken me quite awhile to begin working on it.

 

Once I began hand quilting, it only took about 5 days to finish.  While quilting, I had time to think about Fannie, her life, living in Arizona in a tent, and how hard her life must have been.  Many of the fabrics are feedsacks.  However, I'm pretty sure the yellow and red solids were scraps from making church dresses.  They feel like a linen blend and are quite dense not fun to handquilt through. 


Now that it's completed I don't think it's all that ugly.  It's much more graphic than the usual pastel flower garden quilts that are numerous.  I don't believe there are many things that belonged to Fannie left, but I'm very glad we have this small piece from her life.  I don't regret finishing her quilt.  I feel quite honored to have had the chance.  

Fannie Herman,

What can I say?

My last blog was in June!  Two months ago.  I suppose all I can say is summer's over, and I need to get back to work!  Honestly, life just got a bit busy.  Lots of sewing and quilting have been going on here, so I'll be taking pictures and organizing my projects into some type of schedule.  There are more unfinished projects in my studio than I care to admit!  Be back soon.