QUILTING IN OZ

Saturday, August 21, 2010

What Is A Quilt?

I had a really pleasant day yesterday. I started and finished quilting the Dinah's Delight quilt top I made last December. And I was smiling the whole time. Why? I realized that this is the type of quilt I most like making and it had been awhile (or so it seems to me) since I'd finished one like this.

In my head, when I think "quilt", this is what I picture. Lots of different fabrics, different in both color and texture. Preferably smallish pieces. An off white background (ideally that is scrappy too like this one). Washed to give it that old crinkled look.

My criteria for a scrap quilt...

It must have...

Some red

             Some yellow
                 Some plaid
   Other than that just about anything goes, although I prefer not to use a lot of pastel or brights. Definitely no solids.

I don't want to step on any one's toes. I see all sorts of beautiful quilts all the time that are not scrappy in the least. And I admire them. I'm just saying that for ME, quilts are scrappy. And I suspect most of you feel the same or I doubt you'd be reading my blog since that is mostly what I show here (well that and lots of Dutch Treat applique).

I think we all have our preferences and tend to lean one way or the other..scrappy or not. I'm sure there are those who sort of cringe when they see all the colors and especially the mix of backgrounds I use in my quilts. That's okay. Different is good. Different is interesting.

But back to yesterday. It just made me happy to be handling this quilt. What can I say..small things make me happy.

I still have to bind it as you can see. That is a job for this afternoon or evening. And it still needs laundered, but already I like the texture that is apparent in low light.

One of the reasons the quilting went so fast is that I chose to do another all over small meander. This is such an interesting pattern..one that challenges you to find the block. It was a mystery quilt from my friend, Cynthia, at Iowa Star Quilts. The free pattern is still available on her website. Here's her top from her blog. Guess it will no longer be a mystery for you, but it's still a great pattern to make.

Now to catch up with the Dutch Treat blocks made in the last few evenings.

#142 Separate Tables

#143 Shapes

#144 Shasta Daisy

#145 Shooting Stars

#146 Silver Bells

#147 Singleton

#148 Smarties

#149 Snowflake

Closing in on row 11. Have a great weekend!

Friday, August 20, 2010

Weekly Themed Contest

I entered my Amish Dahlia quilt in the Weekly Themed Contest sponsored by the Quilting Gallery. You can read about the quilt here (the second post on that page has the story behind the making of the quilt. If you are so inclined I'd appreciate your vote.

Thanks.

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Fair 2009: Quilts, Fabrics & Threads

In digging around on the IPTV site I found this video from last year with lots more eye candy. They misspelled Cynthia's last name, but you'll still recognize her. Can you imagine 823 quilts to be judged in a single day?

Blue Ribbon Quilts - Iowa State Fair 2010

Here's a video from the IPTV site showing the blue ribbon quilt winners at the Iowa State Fair. Would you believe that in the 40 years I lived in Iowa I never attended the fair even once?

My friend, Cynthia, from Iowa Star Quilts has been one of the judges for several years. You'll see and hear her in the clip. She also has a blog.

Enjoy!

Monday, August 16, 2010

Row 10 and Beyond

Starting the new week with cooler weather thanks to the thunderstorms that rolled through early Sunday morning. Temps in the low 80's feel downright cool compared to the 100º+ of last week. It seems like it's been months since we were this cool.

Row 10 of my Dutch Treat #2 is now finished! And one of the most difficult blocks was included so I'm very happy today.

Since Saturday...

Scallop