Fragment II, 12" x 15"

Idea of calling these small studies "Fragments" comes from AMISH-INSPIRED by Piece O'Cake Designs (Becky Goldsmith & Linda Jenkens). I used only the yoke, and 2" of the sleeve, so have lots of this beautiful plaid left for another day.

Inspired SPOKES

HELLO REBELS!

Inspired by a quilt that I saw at the RED & WHITE show, 

I came home and pulled out my scraps so I could make 

something to try embroidery on...

A totally new experience for me...  I so loved it!

I think I'd like to make a whole quilt like this one day...

This is only 12" square...

And thought to post it after seeing the gorgeous crazy quilts
in the last post! lovely!

Magnificent Crazy Quilts

Two magnificent crazy quilts appeared at our recent quilt show here in Northwest Arkansas! The blocks in each were set together in unusual designs. The first quilt hung in our antique quilt display. Brought in by one of our founding members, Ann Roberts, who inherited this quilt from her grandfather. She guesses it was made by his mother or another relative in either Massachusetts or New Jersey before 1900. This strippy setting allows each block to receive more attention. Each of the four dividing strips is a different fabric and is embroidered with a different chain of delicate flowers. The quilt is in excellent condition with bright colors, but contains no names or dates to help us identify the maker or her location.

The second picture is a crazy quilt brought in to be appraised. It is spread out on a table to be examined allowing us to see the pointed edges created by setting the crazy blocks on point. The third picture is a detail from that quilt showing the embroidered initials of the woman who sewed this wonderful "fancy quilt."

Some historians believe the designation of these quilts as crazy quilts is a reference to the crazed patterns of tiny lines that can appear on the surface of china with age or exposure to the elements or just over time. The pattern of irregular lines allowed the women to use the odd shaped scraps left from dressmaking and tailoring. Usually each line is enhanced with embroidery stitches creating a visually rich surface.

Crazy quilts were "fancy quilts" often enhanced with personal memories, favorite flowers and fanciful stitches. One quilt I saw from Texas had a blue silk ribbon and a red silk ribbon incorporated into the blocks. Each had been awarded to the maker for county fair awards prior to 1900 the time period elaborate crazy quilts were most popular. These two magnificent crazy quilts were among the highlights of our quilt show for me and reminded me of how talented our foremothers were with needle and thread.

From Aeroplanes to Sunflowers

Quilt lovers attend quilt shows hoping to see a variety of quilts. We like old quilts and new quilts because there are always surprises and designs that please our senses. The airplane block would be relatively easy to recreate in a quilt for someone enamored of flying.

The sunflower quilt in the second photo made me smile. I can see it with the quilt draped over the edges of a bed with the flower heads reaching for the sky. The lovely hand quilting in parallel lines fills the center. As you can see, there were a variety of vintage quilts collected by our guild members.

Quilt show, Northwest Arkansas

Every two years springtime in the Ozarks brings our guild quilt show. Quilts bloom along the aisles of the Benton County Fairgrounds. It is so much work we could not possibly pull it off every year! But what a way for quilters to "recharge our batteries."

We spend three whole days immersed in the realities of sharing our quilts with friends and with strangers. We spend whole days with our quilting friends--laughing and enjoying the show we have created. This year we had more space and added a fine display of antique quilts belonging to our members. One of the oldest quilts featured a large collection of fabrics from the 1890s with lots of indigos and many double pinks. I actually found this quilt top in a flea market here in northwest Arkansas about a decade ago. All the edges are cut on the bias so the top is stretched and will not lay flat. However the colors are vibrant and when quilt historian Terry Thompson saw the quilt she considered it a "library of late 1890s fabrics."

I repaired any of the damaged triangles and added the two borders to stabilize the edges. Then I added a backing to support the weight of the top and tacked it in place. Next I put on the binding and hanging sleeve. On the extensive label, I included samples of each of the four reproduction fabrics I used in repairs to help future quilters know what they are seeing here. Without these improvements I would not have been able to share this orphaned top with quilt lovers. And I feel my work has incresed the likelihood that the top will survive many more decades.

When this quilt with its simple collection of triangles is seen from a distance, the dynamic arrangement of lights and darks reminds viewers of the artistry of our foremothers. I plan to write more about the show in the next few days. Right now I am still recovering and the car is not fully unloaded!

Sallie's Shirts IV, 58"x59"

Decided to enlarge this medallion to a functional size. Ran out of some fabrics, and made lots of substitutions. Still a pile of scraps. Plan to use them in an improvisational starters and enders project.