Wednesday, May 6, 2020

Diamond Jubilee Quilt - the beginning

I've followed with interest some fellow bloggers who have made Jubilee quilts to commemorate their 50th birthdays.  Being long past that auspicious occasion, I wondered if there were any Diamond Jubilee quilts out there.  I spent an evening in the company of google and learned the following:  that a diamond jubilee can commemorate either a 60th or 75th anniversary or birthday.  Breathing a sigh of relief, as I'm also long past the former and approaching the latter at seemingly the speed of light.  There is a quilt pattern marketed that is named Diamond Jubilee but I found no mention of a diamond jubilee quilt made for the purpose that I had in mind.

There are several of us in the quilt ministry who either are 75 this year, or will be next year, so I asked who would be interested in making a diamond jubilee quilt of their own choosing, that we could do as a special project.  At this point my friend Lois and I seem to be the only ones, though since the group hasn't met since early March, there may be some others who will join in when we resume.  Lois has already begun her quilt, an applique medallion surrounded by pieced blocks, the pattern name I've long forgotten.  The quilt I had in mind is this one, from the book 19th Century Patchwork Divas' Treasury of Quilts by Betsy Chutchian and Carol Staehle.

I've drooled over this quilt since first seeing Cathy's version (Sane, Crazy, Crumby Quilting) that she completed late last year.  So, I bought a used copy of the book, the templates, and after raiding all my stash and scrap bins accumulated a huge pile of potential fabrics which sat in the way in their large 24 inch bin on the floor for several months.


And last weekend I finally pulled a couple fabrics and began cutting pieces. 

Oh yeah, this is going to be fun!
Playing around with auditioning a few potential backgrounds.  And that center circle definitely needing to be trimmed just a smidge so it will lay flat.

And here's where I am as of this morning, center circle trimmed and repressed, ready to be basted and hand appliqued.

I think my goal will be to make a sunflower block every two or three weeks until there are enough to make a good size quilt (may well not be quite as large as the original).  And I'll wait to add the various background fabrics until all the sunflower circles are pieced.  Right now I'm contemplating making 13 rather than 18 sunflower blocks, and adding an outside border or two for a square quilt.  Time will tell.  One thing I've learned is that cutting those tiny pieces with my smallest (and original) rotary cutter is extremely hard on the joints in my wrist, so it will definitely not be a project done quickly.  And that's OK with me, this is meant to be a fun as well as challenging project!

It is snowing heavily as I write this, with more snow in the forecast for several days ahead.  Bah-humbug!

20 comments:

---"Love" said...

That will be a beautiful quilt! Those points, and even the circle, must take some kind of patience that I do not have. Hope you enjoy the project; I'll enjoy watching its progress. ---"Love"

Chantal said...

Oh. My. Sizzling Bacon!! This quilt is FABulous!! Too intricate for my skill level but WOW! I will follow your progress with glee. Enjoy! ;^) P.S. sorry to hear about the snow, please don't send some. Thank you. lol.

Julierose said...

Just simply gorgeous work on this sunflower...I love your colors...~ ~ ~ waving from afar julierose

Sandy said...

Wow. That's quite a project! but how beautiful!

Hill Top Post said...

Such a lovely beginning for your Diamond Jubilee Quilt. You are amazingly talented and always seem to pull together the most wonderful color combinations.

Lizzy D said...

Challenging but oh so beautiful, and yes! so fun. Worthy of your special year to come. Your skill with the points and circles in so impressive, just lovely and precise. Have fun, great snow day! project.

Debbie said...

This quilt/pattern screams Pat is going to make me! Very fitting for you and you have the patience, and perseverance to get it done! And it will be beautiful.

Barbara said...

That looks just gorgeous! It will be so pretty with your hand quilting.

kupton52 said...

Your first block is exquisite. I'm going to search for the book today. I'm 67 so I figure if I find the pattern, start making blocks immediately...it'll be finished by my 75th birthday! Great post!

kupton52 said...

....oops...it just registered...Templates? There are Sunflower templates somewhere? I just ordered the book from ebay...where are templates available?

Kyle said...

What a glorious diamond jubilee quilt. Your first block is perfect. That's a good idea to take it slow, enjoy the process, and choose those backgrounds when the sunflowers are finished. We're all going to watching and wishing we were making one too.

Quilting Babcia said...

You're so sweet to say that. Wouldn't it be fun to try it in a doll quilt size - not! Though I suppose it could be done with just one sunflower and a border to fit a doll bed. Hmmm

Cynthia@wabi-sabi-quilts said...

What a tremendous start to a great project! Your first sunflower is beautiful. I think you have the right idea to take it slow and keep it fun.

Karen said...

Love those blocks with all the diamonda. And such a good idea to celebrate a 75th with that design quilt. It will be quite an accomplishment to commerate the occasion.

Janet O. said...

I recall when there were a bunch of jubilee quilts being stitched. I was already past 50 at the time and didn't join in.
Your diamond jubilee quilt choice is stunning! You leave me in awe--your first block looks perfect.

audrey said...

I'm glad you found a good Diamond Jubilee project! This is going to be fantastic. I'm still very indecisive about my own jubilee project. Can't seem to think of anything 'good' enough.:)

Ruth said...

That quilt will certainly be worthy of being a special diamond jubilee quilt!!! Your first medallion is totally gorgeous! I too was past the 50 year mark when several bloggers were making their 50 year jubilee quilt and now I'm past the diamond jubilee landmark, so I will consider my Dear Jane to be the height of my quilting accomplishment.

Robin said...

These sunflowers are amazing . . . and hard! Wow! You have tackled a difficult project with enthusiasm and zest - good for you. Sometimes I need easy so I can sew without much effort. Sometimes I want hard so I can challenge myself and prove to myself I have the skills to succeed.

I want to start a Jubilee quilt but not because I'm 50. It's because we're approaching our 50th wedding anniversary. It's a few years away but I figure I need to get started soon so I'll finish in time,

Nancy said...

Ohhh, your sunflower if gorgeous! Such perfect cutting and piecing. And what a great way to commemorate your jubilee year! I remember loving Cathy's version of this quilt. She assured me that the directions were great and that it was not that difficult to make. Maybe some year I'll take it on....

Wendy Caton Reed said...

Oh wow! Can' wait to watch this one progress. Gorgeous!