Monday, June 28, 2021

Mini Bird Trap

 For this month's mini I consulted this book for some inspiration  

and came up with this gem, circa 1930, named Bulls-Eye Square.


Shortly after I began piecing my version of the quilt in early June Barbara Brackman had a series of posts  Here and Here including both whole quilts called Housetops and block designs variously called Housetops, Pigpen, Hog pen, Chicken Coop and one variation known as Bird Trap.  It appears that both the inspiration quilt and mine may be a Bird Trap variation.

Last month our quilt ministry received a generous donation of fabric pieces from a faraway quilter who wished to remain anonymous.  Thinking this inspiration quilt might be a fun one to make in a larger size for donation, I decided to make a prototype mini using a couple of the donated fabric pieces and some other scraps from my stash.

There were directions in Eleanor Levie's book.  I didn't follow them. Just began cutting and piecing round and round.  For one thing I had no pink solid fabrics, and only a bit of blue solid so my version wouldn't be an accurate reproduction.  I only had very limited amounts of both the donated blue and pink fabrics for the central portion, and that gorgeous border print was also only a scant fat quarter.  Every strip was carefully cut to make the most of the limited amounts of those fabrics. The original inspiration quilt measured 44 inches square, my version is about 26x27 inches.  No problem, I love small table toppers!



For the back I chose this gray and purple vintage feed sack, one of the two remaining in my stash.
  

My version is ditch quilted around every seam, with freehand machine quilted feathers in the larger floral border.

This was much fun and a welcome diversion after dealing with Ruby for most of the month!

Be sure to check out Wendy's mini quilt roundup post on the last day of the month at The Constant Quilter.  There are some fabulous quilts featured every month!










16 comments:

The Tea Lady's Journal said...

Wow, I love how you created a pattern with the white and blue fabric. That takes the quilt to a whole new level. All the fabrics go well together as a combination. Your feathers take it to a super finish!

Janet O. said...

Just beautiful! Hard to believe you made this from small pieces. It looks well planned and coordinated. I look forward to seeing your larger version, when you get it made. The prototype is stellar! And beautiful feathers in that pretty border!

Cynthia@wabi-sabi-quilts said...

Your mini is fabulous and the blue sort of reverberates - it's got such great energy. It's such a brilliant idea to make a prototype mini.

Wendy Caton Reed said...

Oh wow! It just sings! Funny how simple strips can come together to form something so beautiful. I love it! And, of course I love the back. Anything with feedsacks is number one in my book. Thanks for another great mini. You are all linked in for tomorrow's post.

Robin said...

Really lovely little quilt. I love the way the blue stripe makes is feel like it is spinning around.

Paulette said...

Wow, that's great!!

Hill Top Post said...

Gosh, I don't know what to say...everyone, in the comments above, said it so well. You know this little quilt is super! But, I really do want to know how you got so good at creating those freehand stitched feathers. Did you take a class, learn on line, or just practice and practice and practice. I have a freehand foot for my Bernina and have used it mainly for patching things. Just for the record, I love this quilt!

Chantal said...

Love how you took a quilt and made it your own. Your rendition is awesome. The blue and white fabric seems to swirl around in the background. So cool. The border fabric brings everyone together. Awesome job! Congrats! ;^)

Quilting Babcia said...

Thank you!! Actually it was all the things you described, following tutorials online and in books for a number uf feather variations. Strangely feathers are easier for me than most other forms of free motion. My eyesight has deteriorated to the point now that I'm only able to do a basic version that doesn't require backtracking over any previous stitches. I can send you a sketch of how they're formed if you send me an email address.

Kyle said...

What a wonderful interpretation of the Bird Trap design. I
The center really has movement. You did your own thing and it's great.

Ruth said...

It's perfect! I love the simplicity and the fabrics. And the quilting!

Angie said...

Lovely! I was tickled to hear that Barbara Brackman's post had inspired you, as I have been mentally planning similar projects.

belarmina said...

¡¡Divino!! me encanta todo en tu mini.
Saludos

Needled Mom said...

That looks really nice. It looks like a fun one to make too.

FlourishingPalms said...

Oh! I remember this book! And that pattern. The book is one I used to have in my collection, before purging for our move. The version you made is just charming! I really like those three vertical strips, that give it just a hint of modern, and the background print has such good movement. Your combo of straight-line quilting in the center, with your beautiful feathers, is perfect.

Barbara said...

Oh, what a wonderful interpretation of a Bird Trap quilt! The fabrics worked really well and that blue just sings. Beautiful feather stitching in the border, too!