A new Block of The Month project

At my little quilt shop I am awaiting the arrival of the new Patriots in Petticoats block of the month fabrics from Windham Fabrics. I'm very excited about this beautiful new quilt project for
2011. They sent me a kit to make the sample quilt so I have been having a great time sewing up the first blocks. This is the best part of my job as a shop owner - I get to work with the newest fabrics on the newest projects!! So, here are the first two sample blocks that will go out as a kit in January.



They were fun to make since the patterns are well written and illustrated. All easy going - I can hardly wait to have time to get to the next ones. Here are the fabrics that will be used in the first six blocks. They are just wonderful 1840's reproductions.

Did you know you can click on the photos and you'll get a larger view? Pretty cool! I just love
this blogging opportunity. There's a lot going on in my sewing room and at the shop that I
want to share here in the months to come. Uh oh - might be a New Year's resolution to sew and blog. I can live with that!

Using Wonderful Early Reproduction Prints

For many years I have been intrigued by the hexagon and mosaic quilts from the early 19th century. The first ones to catch my eye were in the wonderful book 'Calico and Chintz' from the Smithsonian exhibition. While beautiful, they looked intimidating to construct. I checked into how to make Grandmother's Flower Garden quilts and found the whole hexagon idea a bit too time consuming. English Paper Piecing was very interesting, just not the method for me. But luckily I recently discovered an excellent hexagon template made from a durable, reusable plastic that was very easy to use. Yes, I finally found Quilt Patis! Now they're in the shop!

So at last I could use the most amazing collection of historic prints to re-create an early hexagon quilt! In 2002 Timeless Treasures produced a collection of fabrics reproduced from one of the honeycomb style quilts in the Smithsonian collection. I happened to discover it and ordered it for my quilt shop. I have kept a little of the fabric all this time in the hopes that one day I could make that quilt. As it grows, I'll post . It sure makes a wonderful hand work project for evening.

Below is another project from a wonderful reproduction collection of the 1820's. The fabrics came out from Windham a couple of years ago. This pattern is from Betty Neff's little pattern company, Pennsylvania Quilter, and really shows off the amazing border stripe print. I'm having a great time making this sample of the pattern, and have enough fabric to put together a couple of kits for the shop.


First I used the paper foundation piecing pattern for the corners of the star blocks, choosing colors from the border print fabric. It took a while since I had to make 15 star blocks. The next step was to make the quarter-square triangle patches for the points of the star - my technique is better but still needs work to get them to come out right every time.

Next step was choosing the gold setting triangles for each star block. Can hardly wait to get these together and set with the horizontal sashing stripe - it is really beautiful.

So I'm back in blogging mode with high hopes to stay with it. Next up is the Jack's Chain project with historical notes and step by step construction details. What a fun 30's quilt!

A New Old Log Cabin quilt project

A few months ago a quilter from the San Francisco Bay Area offered to give me several old
issues of Quilters Newsletter magazine. She dropped them off at the shop one day while I was away. What a great surprise it was! Several binders with magazines from the early 1970's on up into the 1990's! It was so cool to see first hand the changes that the magazine, and quilting in general, has gone through. I found a lot of great articles and wonderful quilt projects. I was
particularly drawn to this log cabin variation, in all of it's Brown glory!

It was offered as a series quilt in six issues of the magazine. The designer was Ruth Meyer
from Kansas. The issue I found it in was February of 1988 - the last one of the series! Just my luck! The previous issues were all missing from this donated collection. Rats. So I tracked them down on good old eBay until I had the whole series.

I had this idea of offering it as a Block of the Month for 2011 at my shop. They gave Ms. Meyer's contact info in the back of the magazine so even though it was 22 years old I gave it a try & I found her! Yay! I was actually able to order several copies of her original pattern. I've been involved in some discussions recently about copyright so I was really happy to honor her as the original designer and purchase directly from her. You are actually not supposed to copy patterns from old magazines without getting permission from the designers, especially for the purpose I had in mind.

While I happen to really like brown, I decided to make my sample of the quilt in blues for the Log Cabins and scrappy colors for the Sampler Blocks. This should be more to the taste of contemporary quilters and still have the very traditional look that I love.

So here are the first two Sampler Blocks surrounded by their Log Cabin settings. It's a work in progress on the design wall, so just ignore the 1930s patchwork off to the left. I actually did the Bear's Paw while I was at work - it's a pretty easy one. All the pieced sampler blocks are just floating around next to the log cabins for now.

I had never done a Nosegay block before. I researched it a little and found that it was very popular in the 30s! It is a bit of a challenge to make, but there it is. Ruth Meyer's templates
are quite accurate (remember it was 1987 - pre-rotary popularity) so the pieces did go together.
As I work on the blocks I am writing rotary cutting directions & sewing directions, and have figured out that some of these blocks will have a class or demonstration for the program I offer.

And that was before I tackled the next block, Crown of Thorns. Yikes! It wasn't that it was particularly difficult. I just made a little error when adding seam allowances & making measurements for rotary cutting. So it took a few tries over several hours to get it right.

I have given myself a goal of having a few blocks together to display at a quilt show in my town this weekend. So I'm working along at it, having fun with it and trying not to stress. It sure helps when the blocks turn out nicely. I can hardly wait to actually stitch the log cabins to the blocks. What I'm waiting for is: I wanted to have a variety of the blue outside logs to choose from so they look good when they touch the next set of blocks.

After I had three I just had to go on to one more because the next one looked a little easier. Ruth calls it the Twisted Star. I've actually found all the blocks in Barbara Brackman's Encyclopedia
of Pieced Quilt Patterns. They are wonderfully traditional and were popular in the 30s - an area of interest to me recently. More on that topic in another blog.

And here all all four together, so far, ready to be stitched together for the show Saturday. It's pretty exciting for me to have several local quilters jazzed about this and signed up to start in January. That means that I can keep working on it for fun and for work - best thing about my job!
Some of the next blocks will have greens, yellow, brown and whatever looks good! I'll keep putting them up as they get done. In my usual impatient way I'll be trying out a few of those cute small cabins for the border. Might as well get going on them - there's a bunch to do.

What happened to the Summer, where have I Been?

My goodness how time flies! It seems like just last week that I took a fantastic 2 day class with Sally Collins. But it was clear back on July 13 & 14. If you ever get a chance to have a class with Sally, be sure to grab it. She is wonderful. Whatever projects I've worked on since the class I find myself remembering a tip or technique or a story that she told.

The project we did was the Circle of Stars. I did a couple of tiny nine-patch quilts a few years ago but they are pale compared to the pretty little stars that Sally taught us. Maybe I have a photo to share here if I can remember how to do this. OK, that is it above. In the upper left corner you can see my layout of one quarter of the block, but with those Magic Mirrors you get the whole preview. That Was Fun!

My project is still under construction but it is coming along, a little at a time. Like many other quilters I know, there are several projects under way at the same time in my sewing room. And then there are the ones down at the shop! So I have lots to write about here, and obviously need to get back in practice, especially with putting in photos.

I can hardly wait to share the progress of my Jack's Chain and a new/old log cabin variation project that I found in an old magazine.

The Ricky Tims Super Seminar Really Was Super

It has been about ten days since the seminar in Rocklin, CA ended. (the photo is from TheQuiltShow.com) Have any of the effects worn off already? No Way! WooHoo! is still echoing through my mind while images from the lectures are still floating around in my head. Several of the principles and approaches to quilting that were presented by Ricky Tims, Alex Anderson and Libby Lehman have not been forgotten. OK I do have the colorful syllabus for reference, to refresh the information, but it is surprising just how much I have retained. Surprising because So Much information was given from incredibly talented contemporary quilt artists to me, the gal steeped in tradition and the colors of the civil war.





So why did I go to this event? To shake myself up, observe these high-caliber teachers in action and get some fresh perspective. And boy did that happen, plus so much more.

I first met Ricky Tims and Justin Schultz in person when they came with Alex Anderson to tape episode 212 of The Quilt Show. That was back in the day of Fancy Dry Goods when I used to wear prairie dresses to work. I chose not to wear the costume that day, but you can see who stepped out of their modern world to try on the old traditional world. So I figured I could step into the contemporary world of quilting and have a look.


I went to the seminar with Kathy, the owner of Sew Country Quilts. Both of the quilts behind us were made by Ricky Tims.



This is a Convergence Quilt that was very perplexing to me on Day One of the seminar. By the end of Day Two I was ready to go try it myself. Where have I been while the Convergence technique was surging through quilting world? I was tucked safely away in traditional civil war era colors and blocks. Sort of like an ostrich..........


How did he do this? The artful techniques were revealed so I have given myself permission to do some exploring of my own. I love the whimsical feeling, the cheeriness of this quilt.



A heart-wrenching story goes with this fascinating piece done in neutrals. I had to go back several times during the seminar breaks to study this one. Can you see the little house in the center of the quilting swirl? (You can click on these photos to enlarge them a bit)


This is a very small example of some of Ricky's truly awe-inspiring machine applique. Not only does he work out design and color, he masters the machine techniques to make things happen. And told us that we can do it too, if we just give it a try. Sounds so sensible.


Kathy and I ran into another shop owner, Linda from High Sierra Quilt shop. We are all in a shop hop together in September, for which Alex most graciously agreed to give a day sewing
to our lucky Grand Prize winner, and two friends. So don't miss it!
We were thrilled to have this photo opportunity with Alex at her book signing table during a break at the Super Seminar.

Thank Goodness for Alex Anderson being there. She was my bridge from traditional to contemporary with her beautiful quilts. Just like the breaks for stretching and lunch, I needed to give my eyes a place to rest from all the stimulation and color of Ricky & Libby.

Her exquisite Pomegranate Quilt was hanging in the Seminar quilt show. It is featured Alex's series of applique classes on The Quilt Show. I just love to look at applique, and combined with the hand quilting, this is really a beauty.


This is a very cheery and colorful pinwheel quilt by Alex Anderson which drew me in and then took my breath away with the beautifully hand quilted feathers. Wow!


I have heard about Kaleidoscope quilts for a while, but never saw one that really got me. l didn't think that I would ever make one. But, better late than never. I loved the Kool Kaleidoscope approach by Ricky, and have already chosen a few Reproduction prints to try out.

It was important for me to get some stimulation, enthusiasm, color and top notch teachers to get me revved up and thinking about my quilting direction. I'm in a new shop with the world wide open to me. So I plan to keep on with my first love of traditional quilts and the colors of the civil war era while stepping out into new arenas from time to time. It could get really interesting!

Getaway to the Mountains

Since my DH was having a birthday, we planned a little getaway, heading north on Highway 49 through the California Mother Lode country. We went all the way up past Downieville, to this vista of the Sierra Buttes. I visited the area during the summers of my teenage years. It was just as beautiful as I remembered, with a sunny mild day. Gave DH the camera for this photo.
OK, it was very breezy that day - neither me nor my hair is usually so puffy!DH wanted to see the famous Gold Lake -a subject of legends galore during the gold rush. So up we went, finding snow drifts as we went higher and higher. As you can see, the snow was right down at the lake, and melting like crazy. All the rivers and streams were rushing like mad - very fresh and cold. So no fishing was done, and we couldn't even find a safe place for a little gold panning either. Enjoying the scenery was just fine - the gorgeous colors of nature in the pure air of those high elevations was fantastic. I want to do a quilt with some of those blues!

Being the practical sort, we brought along picnic lunches. This scene of Andy (the dog) with DH was taken after lunch, during an easy hike around this beautiful small lake, the Lower Sardine.
I recall taking off on some big hikes from this vicinity, during my younger years. I actually did get all the way up to the top of those Buttes, on foot! Andy seemed to really enjoy his outdoor adventure, scooting up and over the rocks, under logs and chasing a lizard once in a while. Looks like he did get a little warm and kept trying to jump in the lake.
Back at our hotel we enjoyed this view from our private deck. I loved the view of those rushing waters in the North Yuba River, but also was struck by the wonderful variety of the greens in nature. I have been saying for years that the shades of green chosen for quilts just do not have to match each other - they all look fine together. So I gazed upon the scene and admired our
waterfall, while DH and Andy watched the wildlife. It was wonderfully relaxing and peaceful.
We passed this really cool, really old building right on Highway 49 in a place called North San Juan. This looks like it could become a quilt............

In the next blog I will be talking about the things I learned at the Ricky Tims Super Seminar. Ricky did a beautiful quilt that was a picture of a fabulous building. When I took this photo I had no idea that I would ever attempt one, but now..........

During our visit to Grass Valley on the way to the mountains we found a darling quilt shop, the Sugar Pine Quilt Shop on South Auburn St. They don't have a website yet, but it is not to be missed if you are in the area. I picked up a few more 30's prints (sigh.....can't help it!) for the stash, and had a great conversation with Bonnie, the owner. Hope you can check it out.

The Little Quilts

I love doll quilts and little crib quilts done in civil war era reproductions.
One winter I made at least ten of them, just because they were so much fun,
and gave me such a feeling of accomplishment. So I wanted to share the
experience!
At my little shop,Timeless Calico Designs, I started a Little Quilt Club
back in April. I was fortunate to have two trunk shows from Kathy Tracy on display.

We made the sweetest little friendship signature quilts the first month.............



and we chose the humble but totally charming Shoo Fly for the next month.
Here's my top which I plan to hand quilt this summer.




We met yesterday and had a really nice time working together. The project
was the little baskets from Kathy's book "Remebering Adelia". I admit I
was little afraid of the applique basket handles. But that's what quilting
friends are for! To help! At home I had made the little tubular stem-like
handle and was pondering how to flatten it out nicely. The only thing I could
find that was small enough was a chopstick. It seemed to work ok. At the club
I was introduced to a much more sophisticated tool, the bias bar. wow - pretty slick,
but it did remind me of the old corset stays from my costuming days...............

Anyway, we all shared tips and helped each other out, and by the end of the
session I had made a complete little block. At home again I made several more
little handles so that I can hand-applique them this weekend while I watch
DH do some fishing or gold-panning.






My goal is to start a bucket list over on the side bar of this blog, and it may
just start with finishing up these cute little baskets.

Along with the 30's flower vine strippy quilt, the Block of the Month................

Trying out Applique

I was working away yesterday, and decided it was time for a break.
When I came back into the room, the light was just right for me to get
this photo. I enjoy this room so much. My DH made the furniture by
recycling old store fixtures and I did all the painting - walls, cabinets,
the works. So this was taken from just inside the door.




The room was a bedroom, so there is a closet (hidden) to the right.
I use the closet doors for my design wall. The next picture was taken
after stepping into the room and swinging around to the left.



It doesn't always look so tidy, but I had just put the work of the
day on the design wall before my break.

I've been in the process for about a month now, trying to complete
an ambitious strippy style quilt with 1930's reproductions.
I started with strips of squares but that was a little plain so
I decided to make them tip up.



I wanted to have flowers on panels between the pieced panels.
I am not good at applique but keep on trying anyway. These
flowers were traced to a fusible web (yikes, not exactly my normal
traditional approach) fused, cut out and laid out on the stems.

The leaves were really fun to do, for some reason. It was surprising

how long it took to get one flower panel laid out. The rest of the

stitching in place remains to be done.

The goal is to have four pieced panels separated by three flower panels, and finished with a sawtooth scrappy border.

I find beauty in the print designs and colors of antique cotton calicoes. I don’t mean those ditzy prints from the 1970’s Prairie Look – remember Gunne Sax, peasant skirts, etc? I mean those interesting, dynamic designs and soft natural colors from the hoop skirt era,

which are my first love. I refer to them as the colors of the Civil War, using the time span of 1830-1880.

More recently I have been able to dabble in the 1930's repros. They

are charming and delightful - a real perky look that seems to be just

what's needed during these trying economic times.

OK, that said, I love to sew and I love to look at books full of great photos of antique quilts. And then I love to try to re-create those quilts, from the 1830's to the 1930's.

Here I Go

I've thought about a blog, read many blogs, and have been wanting to start one, so here goes!

My mom taught me to sew clothes when I was just a kid, sixth grade or so, but I never tried making a quilt until I was in my forties. What did I choose as my first project? A small Lone Star Table Topper in Christmas prints. Right, I can sew so I can do this. Well it turned into a tree skirt when the bubble appeared in the middle (you know about that too?)

I tried again a few years later with much better results. This Fancy Nine Patch was made after I had opened a small fabric and clothing store. The store was dedicated to historic reproduction costumes using fabrics of the civil war era.
Thanks so much to the industry for producing the fabulous historic prints and colors.

When the quilters started coming I decided to learn how to make a quilt. It got lots of favorable comments and I was hooked on quilting. No more costumes for me! So now I've been a quilter with a little shop for about 8 years, and I still adore the
historic designs and colors.

This morning I was working on the new Civil War Tribute Block of the Month for June, and caught myself in a moment of wandering attention. So I made a mistake, which has been ripped and re-sewn. And then I decided to take a break and just jump in to my first post here.

As the days go by I will spruce up the look of this page. I'm so excited to be doing this at last!!