Seeking Fabric

A friend of mine needs help finding some fabric.  She would like at least two yards of it.  If you have some you would be willing to sell, or know of a store that has it, please send me an email, or leave a comment.  It is Colossal Columns by Kathy Hall for Andover, an IQSC fabric, in the black and tan colorway.  Thanks!

The last month has been a busy one for me, but I'll update you soon!  In the meantime, I have a new post on my fabric blog Material Witness, on the Ann Robinson Bedcover.

The Cousin's Walk

Have you seen the great new quilt pattern The Cousin's Walk?

It's a  pattern put out by Leonie and Deirdre, the fabulous Quilted Crow Girls.  Check out their website here.  They are also on Facebook.  I LOVE this quilt, and just got the first shipment of the BOM, which is the center medallion.  So far I have the center star done and appliqued on.

If you are from Australia, you can order it on the Girl's website.  You can chose either cotton or wool, and you also get a pattern and fabric for a cool Block Book to keep your blocks in progress in.

If you are in the U.S. you can order the BOM from Common Threads Quilting, which is where I'm getting it.  We don't get the Block Book, but the Girls are bringing the pattern to Market, so we will be able to get it here eventually.  Here are a couple of the blocks kitted by Common Threads.

I can't wait til the next shipment!  Come join the fun with me.  There is even a Facebook page just for people working on the quilt, here.  Check it out, and hope to see you over there soon.

The Winner and TESAA

First things first, the winner of the book and pattern is Kimme!  Congratulations and I'll contact you about shipping info.

In case you aren't familiar with it, TESAA stands for The Elly Sienkiewicz Applique Academy.  This was my third year, and I can't imagine not going.  If you are interested in Baltimore Album Quilts, or applique in general, this is not to be missed.

 This year we had a first time teacher, Sandra Leichner.  I wasn't aware of her work, so I didn't take a class with her, but I will definitely change that in the future.  Her work is unbelievable.  The above pic is a close-up of her Traditional Still Life quilt that was displayed at one of our dinners.

 The pattern for this is no longer available.  If anyone has it or knows someone who does, and would be willing to part with it, please contact me.

Another wonder was her Lapis and Lemons.  Sorry about the bad picture of the whole thing.  I was too excited to focus.   :)

 One of her class projects was this Nuthatch block.  She gets the most amazing detail with thread and just a little colored pencil.

 I bought the kits for this and her Fall Needlecase, and I'm going to give it a whirl.  The Needlecase says it's "Fun and Done."  That's just because she hasn't met this sewing machine challenged gal.  ;)

Notice the reverse applique holes in the leaves and the woven mesh over them.  Amazing to me, but we'll see what I can do.

Sandra has a website here, and a blog here.  Notice the tabs at the top for tutorials.  She has some great posts about her technique.

Till next time ~

Giveaway Because I'm Back!!

I know I've been gone for quite a while, and I apologize.  Health and technical issues have kept me away, but I'm back and raring to blog!  I hope I still have some followers left.  :)  I decided to have a Giveaway while I find my notes and see where I left off the last time, so here it is ~

If you're lucky, you have been to one of Pat and Arlan Crist's fabulous trunk show and talks.  If not, here's a chance to get one of their books and a pattern they have drafted from one of their many antique quilts.  All you have to do is leave a comment before Friday midnight, and I'll post the winner over the weekend, hopefully with a new post.  :)

A Few More

This is an appliqued summer spread, Poinsettia with Grapes and Grape Leaves.  It consists of nine 18" blocks with flowers, grapes, and leaves.  The sashing is 4 1/2"with red appliques at the intersections.  There is no filling, backing, or binding.  The outside edge of the border is turned under and stitched.  This is c. 1860.

This next one is a pieced quilt.  The pattern is called Borrow and Return, which is a new one on me.  It consists of 35 blocks of tan print cotton pieced with four half round pieces of blue lattice fabric.  You can see that the maker kind of mixed things up in one corner.  ;)  The binding is plain cream, and the backing is a madder brown floral, which I somehow missed getting a picture of.

This is a pieced and tied, silk and taffeta Tumbling Blocks quilt with a silk and taffeta prairie point border.  The edging is 5/8" purple bias ribbon machine stitched with red thread.  It has a bright red wool backing.  It is filled with a cotton sheet, and the construction was very odd.  We spent a lot of time trying to figure it out. The sheet was tied to the back with thread, but the top was only attached by the binding.  C. 1900, machine pieced and quilted.

This one is a pieced nine-patch with a basket border from the first half of the 1800's.  The border looks to be later than the center.  The hand pieced nine-patch blocks are primarily brown, teal, and pink cottons.  I just love the pastel, worn look of this one.

Here is Betty Brink, one of the volunteers who donated their time to help "turn" the quilts.

This is a late 19th century Pineapple pattern.  Eight 17" solid white cotton blocks alternate with eight blocks appliqued with sold red, green, and chrome fabrics.  No backing, filling, or batting.  Hand and machine pieced, hand appliqued.

You can see along the left hand edge of the above picture, and below, the maker signed her name, Mrs. Hannah Floyd.

Okay, don't forget to check back, because there are plenty more to come.