New Design

Well, I've been playing around with this for a while, and finally decided to take the plunge. I switched to a new blog template. It feels lighter and more open than the old one. I'm still tweaking it, it HAS to have purple somewhere, but I really like it so far.







I have a couple of Morrell blocks done. I think the Broderie Perse one turned out good, but I think I want to do a smaller buttonhole. I'll try it on the next block and see if I want to do this one over. I don't want it to look overworked, though, so I'll see which I like best.

I also prepped three more blocks. I'm really liking the Broderie blocks. I find intricate handwork so relaxing, and I need all of that I can get! I know some people have done some of the blocks needleturn. While I love doing needleturn, right now I'm thinking I'll do them all buttonhole. I was sceptical at first, but I really like the look.

I also decided to toss out most of the Civil War fabrics I collected, and use some earlier fabrics, more appropriate for the early 1840's when the quilt was made. It meant starting over, but I think I have what I need, for now anyway.


My plan to dive into that Strawberry Garden block hit a snag when I opened it up and realized I had two of one of the pages, and none of the other one. Oops! They are sending me the other pattern page, so while I'm waiting, I also did another Crimson Tweed block. I really like this one. The backings are all some shade of gray, and this one is a hand-dyed smoky color that almost looks blue.




Now to get caught up with those Lisa's Garden blocks! I'm only about 5 weeks behind. My second thread set for the wool blocks is on it's way, though, so it won't be long now.

Strawberry Garden

Well, I have two of my Morrell blocks done, and will post them this weekend, but I just had to show you the newest BOM I joined. It's called Strawberry Garden, and is based on a quilt in the collection of Terry Clothier Thompson.





I've only seen pictures of three of these quilts, and I find them fascinating, as it's a pattern rarely seen, so when Common Threads Quilting announced they were starting a BOM for it, I couldn't sign up fast enough. I got my first shipment today.

I was ready to do another broderie block for my Morrell, but I may have to squeeze this in first. I'm still trying to keep current with a BOM past the second month, but it may be a lifelong quest for me! The good part about Common Threads is they post a picture of the current month's block to use for reference. Here's the first block.

Here is another version pictured in the book Glorious American Quilts by Warren and Eisenstat.

And a third version, which was formerly in the inventory of Legacy Quilts.

To read more about these quilts, see this post from Barbara Brackman.