The Quilting is done....and a give away!

It's really done! I spent some time this weekend quilt this little baby and it looks great.

In the outer border I did a loopy meander type of thing.

And in the vertical sashing I did hearts.

In the small horizontal green parts of the sashing I did some circles.

I also stitched in the ditch around each white square and stitched closely around each applique shape. 

I am trying an experiment. Do you use Frixion pens for marking at all? They disappear when you iron the marks. I know the marks are supposed to come back if the fabric gets below freezing, but will go away again if you iron it again. I have heard stories of people shipping their quilts and the marks come back because they got cold on the airplane. I am sending this to Texas in a couple of weeks with my husband and kids when they go to visit and I am interested to see what will happen. I will be sure to forewarn my sister-in-law before she sees it!

If you have been following from the beginning you will remember that this was my sister-in-law's grandmothers project that was never completed, so this is for her. I can't wait until she sees it in person.

I decided my favorite block, although I loved so many of them, is the Umbrella block. A close second is the elephant.

What is your favorite?

Let me know in a comment and I will draw a random name from all the replies for a pack of charm squares from my left over 30's prints! I will draw a name next Sunday, April 6th. 

With hugs,

Deb

Snow Day=SEW day!

Yesterday we had a snow day! So I did the final steps of the Child's Alphabet quilt. I hope my instructions are clear.

The first thing is to cut all the blocks down to 6 1/2" if you made the initial squares a little bigger as I did. Arrange then in columns as they will be in the final quilt.

Next we will make the sashing to go between the blocks in each vertical column.

Cut from the green fabric: 4 X 1 1/2" strips by WOF

Cut from back ground fabric: 8 X 1 1/2" strips by WOF

Sew a background strip to either side of each green strip. This should result in a 3 1/2" wide strip set. Make 4.

Subcut these strip sets into 6 1/2" units. Make 20.

Sew a 6 1/2" sashing unit to the bottom of each alphabet block EXCEPT for the bottom one on each column.

Arrange back onto columns:

Sew the blocks into vertical columns:

Now we will make the sashing between the columns. 

Cut 2 more strips of green (1 1/2" again) and sew together end to end, making one long strip.

Cut 4 background strips. Sew each pair together end to end, making two long strips.

Sew the background strips to either side of the green strip making a long strip set.

Measure the length of your columns. Mine were 51 3/8" long. Cut 3 pieces from your long strip set to this length and sew them between your columns.

Now we will add 3 borders as follows:

1) 1 1/2" background border

2) 1 1/2 " green border

3) 6 1/2" background border

For each border, but 6 strips by WOF and piece together as needed. I like to measure through the center of the quilt at each step and cut the border strips to this length.

We are done!

Click HERE to download a PDF of the instructions.

The layout

I have been playing with a layout for the alphabet quilt in EQ7.  This is what I have come up with to match the description that Nancy gives in the column that she wrote for block 4 (The Doll block). I also used the diagram given in the first column for guidance.

Here is my layout:

These are the fabrics I am using for the sashing and borders for Mildred's quilt:

This is not a 30's print but has all the right colors in it to blend with the blocks.

For this layout, you will need 1/2 yard of the green fabric for sashing and 2 yards of the lighter border and sashing fabric.

Cutting instructions coming soon!!

Have a great quilty weekend!

Deb

Block 24-You

Well, here we are at the final block! Nancy did something a little unexpected with this final block. She skipped over X, and used the Y to stand for YOU, whoever the recipient was. Among the paper patterns that were in Mildred's unfinished blocks there was a paper pattern for the letters X,Y and Z so that is what she did. I'm not sure where this pattern was printed but I am including both for you below. Here is Mildred's block:

Here is the original columns pattern:

While I liked the idea of the YOU, I decided to go with the XYZ for mine also. Nancy also  put the initials of the maker and the name of the recipient on her quilt. Mildred had a custom label all ready for hers that is pinned to the block as you can see above. I really wish we new when she may have made these so we could add a date. 

Here is my block:

I am planning to ad  my initials and date also.

I have figured out a layout and yardage in EQ7 and will post that next!

Block 24-You

There were still three letters in the alphabet, X,Y,Z. Had Nancy used them all she would have had an uneven number of blocks in her quilt. The quilt had been planned to have six rows of blocks with four letter blocks in each row, making 24 blocks in all.

In talking it over with the other club members, they decided to use on the “Y”.

Of course, the three letters could have been put on the same block. But Nancy had another scheme.

“Why not let the “Y” stand for “you” the person who is going to get the quilt. In my case it would stand for Joan, since it is for her that I am making the quilt.

“Then I plan to write her name at the bottom left hand of the block. That will identify it as hers in years to come. I hope, you know, that she will like it well enough to keep it and pass it on to her children’s children.

“Then in the right hand corner I am going to put my initials and the year in which I finished the quilt. So often in looking at old quilts we have wished that we knew just when they were made. In this way I’d identify the owner, the make and the year.

“Grace Roberts, who is making the quilt for her daughter, Clarice, will write, “Clarice Roberts” in the left hand corner bottom. Then in the right she will put her own initials, GDR and 30 for the year 1930. The YOU in the block itself stands for the child whose name is at the bottom left. As her mother shows it to her she will say, “This block is for you, here’s your name, Clarice Roberts.”

The group liked the idea and saw just how it worked.

A square of white gingham 6 ½ inches in size was cut and laid over the paper pattern. By holding the tow against the window pane it was possible to trace the letters “YOU” When these were traced the work was nearly done.

Fine outline or chain stitch was used to work the letters. Then the child’s or recipients name was written by each person in the lower left hand of the block and the maker’s own initials were put in the lower right hand. The date was added.

These names and dates were worked in fine running stitch.

Now the blocks were ready to be put together. All blocks were given a final pressing.

They were put in place, following the diagram given by the instruction leaflet which may be had at no cost by sending a stamped, self-addressed envelope to the paper and asking for the leaflet. Perhaps you sent for it earlier.  An interlining may be used. In that case it will be wise to tie the top and bottom at intervals, say at the four corners of each embroidered block.

Or a running scroll or simple vine may be quilted the full length of the colored strips which put the blocks together.

The quilt is a joy to behold when finished, worthy of being a real heirloom.

The club members were really sorry to see the work come to an end.

Click HERE for the YOU pattern.

Click HERE for the XYZ pattern.

Happy Stitching!

Deb

Block 23-Windmill

This weeks block is a cute windmill. I had a little trouble getting the arms to line up the way they were supposed to so don't look too hard. LOL.

Mildred's block

My block

Block 23 –Windmill

Perhaps it was due to the fact that the members had made so many blocks and done them so well that made Nancy ambitious in her next-to-last block of the alphabet quilt.

But she assured the members that the pattern was not as complicated as it looked at first glance.

“As you will see, the windmill arms are all of the same pattern. One simply places hem at different angles. Then the windmill frame is in one piece with the door appliquéd on top of in.  And the small flowers at the base are embroidered. I would use lazy daisy stitch for the leaved and outline or satin stitch for the flowers. The stems are in fine outline stitch of course so in the base line. Here is my color scheme: The windmill frame is gray, the door is a rich blue and the windmill arms are of a white and rose print. All of these materials are fast color. I have tried them to see. I am using these particular ones, because I happen to have these scraps on hand. I did not want to buy any more materials since the quilt is so nearly finished.”

A piece of white gingham, 6 ½ inches square, was vut and laid over the paper square which had been cut from the paper. By holding the cloth over the paper and pressing the two against the window frame it was possible to draw the pattern on the cloth by using a sharp pointed lead pencil.

The paper square was then pasted on to a piece of light-weight tag board or card board and dried under pressure.

Next the initial “w” was embroidered. Nancy chose fast color green embroidery cotton and used a fine outline stitch. She might have done it in chain stitch.

When the paper pattern was thoroughly dry the various parts of the pattern were cut. Only one windmill paper arm was cut, since all four were alike and one pattern could serve for four cloth arms.

The flowers were entirely disregarded at this time.

The paper patterns were laid on pieces of cloth and outlines were cut after allowing a quarter-inch on all sides. This gave a raw edge for turning under. The turned-under edge was basted and then the pieces were pressed.

First the building itself or frame was appliquéd with fine slanting hemming stitches. To get the correct placement the frame was laid on the penciled lines on the white block.

Then the four windmill arms were appliquéd. They were laid over the frame. The door was laid on top of the frame and appliquéd in place.

A round dot was embroidered at the spot where the four arms ----to have been joined.

Then the flowers and the base line were embroidered. And that left the block “Y” for next week.

OK-what happened to X? I guess you'll have to wait to find out!

Click HERE for the pattern.

Block 22 - Violet

I can't believe we are almost done with this quilt! I am busy working out a setting for it. Despite 6 months of searching I have not been able to locate the leaflet that you could send away for with instructions to finish the quilt. But based on the drawing in the first column and Nancy's instructions she gave in the Doll block column I think I have got a good idea how it was designed.  Of course the blocks could be used in many ways.

Anyway, on to this weeks block-the violet.

My block

Mildred's Block

Block 22 – Violet

It must have been the air of spring which made Nancy choose the violet for the “V” block. She had embroidered using a vine, but decided that the violet was easier to make, prettier when finished and more interesting to Joan.

Occasionally Nancy’s husband would send her violets and Joan had seen the bunch she received on Valentine ’s Day, so she was familiar with the flower and identified it at once.

“Ahh , I see now why you did not want to have a violet umbrella. You were afraid there would be too much like color in one spot on the quilt. I’m glad I followed your example and made my umbrella a soft rose. It affords such a pleasing ----- in this block.” These in general were the comments of the other quilt makers in the club.

For the flower Nancy chose a polka dot material in white with lavender dots. She was sure that this was fast color, since she had washed a dress make of this material many times in the past summer. One club member chose a soft plain violet fast color cotton. Another woman used a scrap of a fast color English print with an ecru ground and violet design.

The stem was green and the leaves were of a darker shade of green. One member who had no green left chose deep purple for the leaves. And one member went +----- and made her leaves of rose.

The pattern square was cut from the paper. Over it was laid a 6 ½ inch square of white gingham. By holding these flat against the window pane it was possible to trace the pattern onto the cloth. A sharp-pointed lead pencil was best to use. Nancy told them not to trace the embroidery at the center of the flower since that would be covered up on the white background by the flower itself.

After the pattern was on the cloth the paper square was pasted on to a piece of light-weight card or tag board and dried under pressure.

Nancy embroidered the letter “y” in fast color embroidery cotton in green, using a fine outline stitch. The color chosen is determined by that used for the previous letters and also by the color of connecting strips which will put the alphabet blocks together in the finished quilt.

In cutting out the paper patterns, Nancy called attention to the fact that both leaves were alike. That meant that only one had to be cut and that the stem could be cut in one piece.

The stem is best cut from a bias piece and should be twice as wide as the finished pattern. The raw edges are folded back to meet on under side and basted in place.

Two leaves are cut with a quarter inch allowance on all sides. This is turned under and basted in place.

With the rounding edges of the leaves and flower Nancy advised the members to cut tiny slits around the edge. By doing this the raw edge may be folded under and basted in place without puckering the edge.

After the pieces were basted and pressed they were appliquéd with fine slanting hemming stitches.

The center of the flower is embroidered in fast color yellow embroidery cotton and the straight line at the base of the stem done in green. Use satin stitch for the center of the flower, running stitch from stamens and outline stitch for the base. 

Click HERE for the pattern.

Until next week-Happy stitching!

Deb

Block 21- The umbrella

One of my favorites for sure!

Mildreds block

My block

Block 21- Umbrella

When the club members met to make the twenty-first block in the alphabet quilt they found that “U” stood for an umbrella. “Of course, how stupid of us not to have thought of that.” One woman who was a poor speller said she had decided that the “U” block would represent an onion. She was laughed out of court and told to consult her dictionary. “Onion begins with “O” silly, “said they.

“How are we going to get those drops of rain, Nancy?”. “Of course you could use a whole square of polka dots and appliqué the umbrella onto that, but since we have kept all the others plain white gingham I thought we would embroider the dots of rain. We can use satin stitch making tiny white rounds of dots, or we can use French knots. If we use those, I suppose the rain is really hail, however.”

Had the club been making this umbrella fifteen years ago they would have chosen black for the top but in these days of gay color the umbrella may be any shade at all. One member wanted to chose red but since harsh, strong colors have been omitted entirely in the patterns it was deemed wise to choose some other color for the top. Otherwise the re umbrella would stand out in the finished quilt like a sore thumb.

Most of the members chose a violet or lavender color. Nancy’s choice was soft rose. That was because she knew about the block that would be next to the umbrella one. She did not want to repeat colors. One member chose soft blue and another beautiful green.

The 6 ½ inch square of white gingham was cut out, so   was the square in the paper. The cloth was held closely over the paper pattern and  both were pressed against the window pane. With a sharp pointed lead pencil the pattern was traced onto the cloth. A mere point indicated the spots of rain.

The paper pattern was pasted onto a lightweight cardboard or tag board and dried under pressure.

While it dried the letter “U” was embroidered in fast-colored embroidery cotton. Nancy used green to match all her other letters. Then, too, she had chosen green gingham for her connecting strips in the finished quilt.

After the pattern was dry the umbrella top was cut out and then the handle. The stick was cut in one piece so that it extended from the curved handle to the tip. Even though it did not show when the umbrella top was appliquéd Nancy found it was easier to do than if she cut two pieces.

The stick was cut from a bias piece and was made just twice as wide as the finished stick. The edges were turned under until they met at the center and were then basted in place.

The top was cut with an allowance of a quarter-inch on all sides. This was turned under, basted in place and then the piece was pressed.

Nancy found that small slits at the edge made it easier to turn the curve at the handle and the curves in the umbrella top.

The pieces were pinned in place and then basted and later appliquéd with fine, slanting hemming stitch. Then the dots were embroidered and another block was ready. 

Oops I almost forgot the pattern:  click HERE for the pattern.

Only three more blocks are left after this! Stay tuned for more!

Happy Stitching,
Deb

Block 20- Tree

I do love this simple tree pattern. In reading Nancy's column, she suggested using a polka dot fabric and embroidering multi-colored lazy daisy stitches as flowers around the dots. I did not have a piece of green that only had dots so I used one with dots and leaves. It seemed too busy to do multicolored flowers so I just did red french knots. This is the apple tree that my apple in block one came from!

 

Mildred's block

My block

Block 20- The tree

Flowers that bloom in the spring may appear on trees as well as in gardens. This was Nancy’s thought in designing the tree block for the letter “T” of the alphabet quilt.

In making the tree she planned on using up strands of the various fast colored embroidery cottons she had chosen for stitchery in the earlier blocks. As she explained the pattern to the club members she thought a polka dot material could be used for the tree.

Then the small flowers could be centered around the dots, using the lazy daisy stitch to make the petals. As many or as few flowers could be worked as were desired, and as many or as few colors could be used.

Nancy granted that her finished tree with the pink, blue, lavender and yellow blossoms was closer to a decorated Christmas tree than any actual tree she ever had seen. But what did she care, since every one exclaimed in pleasure over the effect.

The members cut out the paper square and then cut a 6 ½ inch square of white Peter Pan gingham. Holding the gingham over the paper pattern and pressing it close to the window pane they were able to trace the design with a sharp pointed lead pencil.

Nancy suggested that they omit the tracery of the flowers, since could put the blossoms in wherever they chose and could if they wanted to do so, use the paper pattern as a guide. 

That meant that they traced the letter “T:, the tree, its trunk and it’s base.

After tracing the pattern they pasted the paper square onto a piece of light weight cardboard or tag board and dried it under pressure.

The letter “T” was embroidered in fast color embroidery cotton. As usual the members chose the color used for the previous letters and decided upon their choices by the color of the connecting strip of material which could be used to put the embroidered alphabet blocks together.

Nancy used green and worked the letter in a fine outline stitch. Some members used a fine chain stitch.

After the pattern was dry the pieces were cut out and laid onto the cloth chosen for the tree, trunk and base.

Nancy used a white material with green polka dots for the tree, a brown for the trunk and a soft rose for the base.

In cutting the cloth an allowance of one-quarter inch was made on all sides.

In cutting the trunk the material was cut on the bias and was made twice as wide as the finished piece. The raw edges were turned under until they met. All turned under edges were basted down and then pressed in place. The trunk was appliquéd first. Over it was laid the tree and then at the bottom was placed the base.

Appliquéing was done with fine slanting, invisible hemming stitches. The base had a line on running stitch put in as indicated. This gave the base the effect of a top and sides and made it seem less cumbersome and boxy.

The quilt was getting near the end. What would “U” stand for? A picture of the maker or a unicorn? Let’s find out next week.

Click HERE for the pattern.

Until next time-happy stitching!

Deb