Friday, February 10, 2023

Slow Progress and a Completed Top

 It seems this year is starting off the same way last year ended, very very slowly as far as quilting progress goes.  However - I have a completed top to show you, a super scrappy whimsical children's donation top made during our quilt ministry meetings over the past couple months.


 It wasn't until I found the yellow and blue polka-dot fabrics in one of the bins at church that it seemed like the chaotic assortment of blocks could come together into a more or less cohesive whole.  The sashings add a note of bright spring-like cheeriness that this needed.  The individual blocks are made up of a few fairly modern fabrics along with a lot of older prints likely from the 1990s, and possibly earlier.




The last couple weeks I've spent cutting hundreds of wedge pieces and have begun piecing my version of Vintage Spin.  I've had this quilt on my to-make list ever since seeing Kathy Doughty's version in her book Adding Layers.  I've sewn together the wedges for the first three blocks.   This first one is my favorite so far.   I think lack of sharp contrast appeals to me more than the second block with the stark black/white.  We shall see how it all plays together, it may be that there will be some orphans among the pile of wedges.


The first three:

I followed Kathy Doughty's plan to utilize vintage or old-looking fabrics to put this version together.  Since both our ministry bins and my own stash are composed of a lot of older fabrics, I didn't have to haunt thrift shops looking for any more!  About half-way through the cutting process I began to wonder how this pattern might look composed of batiks, and may just try that option for a smaller second quilt.  I'm planning on waiting until all the wedge pairs are pieced before squaring up any of the blocks.  

The Janome is back from the repair shop, it turns out the problem wasn't in the machine itself, the dual feed foot was broken after all.  There is a tiny spring in the enclosed portion of the foot that had broken, so the foot needed to be replaced.  All in all, a much less expensive repair than I'd anticipated.  I've begun ditch quilting the seams on the Christmas top pieced at the end of December, and that will become next up in the evening hand quilting queue.

Our very odd winter weather continues, with little to no snow, and temperatures mostly in the 40s and even low 50s the past week or so, and next week our prediction is for more of the same.  Just hoping we don't get all our snow in March and April!

Til next time, happy stitching!

14 comments:

Nann said...

I'd never thought about contrasting horizontal and vertical sashing. Very effective for your scrappy blocks. I admire Kathy Doughty's designs with the emphasis on boho (bohemian) contrasts. Your wheels are wonderful.

Robin said...

The donation quilt turned out really cute. I bet it was fun to sew on.
Your first block looks like something Kathy Doughty would come up with. You've caught the vibe perfectly. We continue to be colder than usual. I hope your snow doesn't come all at once.

FlourishingPalms said...

The way you resurrected those blocks is great! Definitely choosing a couple colors to make it all cohesive was the way to go. It will be a wonderful child's quilt. As for your wedge blocks... those look more challenging, as I'm thinking of the perfection needed to keep them flat. Looks like you're managing that just fine. I DO like that black/white block alongside the others, so I hope you keep it. Indeed your weather sounds atypical. Mother Nature has a way of keeping herself in balance though, so your hope that March and April aren't snow-filled, is certainly justified!

Hill Top Post said...

Your scrappy children's quilt is going to make someone very happy. What a fun quilt! Now backing up to your last post, which I somehow missed... How I love this one. I have probably said many times when admiring one of your quilts that it was my favorite. Well, Red and Lights Log Cabin quilt is now definitely my favorite! Wow!

cityquilter grace said...

Wacky no winter here in MD as well....wheels coming along nicely...

Chantal said...

I'm very slow at getting some sewing done too. Must be this crazy weather. We had some frigid -40C at the end of last week, then on Sunday, it started to go up, and up, and up. We reached +5C believe it or not. Of course, it is melting and freezing overnight and melting ... oh the mess. Every parking lot is a skating rink! Anywho! I love what you did with those blocks. The blue and yellow sashing is a great addition. It is so cheerful! Love your wedges project. Happy to know your Janome came back home. Enjoy! ;^)

Lori said...

I love your quilt! That polka dot blue sashing is perfect!
On the wheel quilt you are really achieving the vintagey look! Nice work. It is going to be beautiful.

Linda @ kokaquilts said...

Love how your wedges are coming along! Your 1st block has a lot of movement, I love it! And yes, I think the trick is contrast, but it can be even things so subtle as using a large & small print or warm & cool together! I'm sure it'll look super using your vintage fabrics.

Kyle said...

Finding a fabric to pull all those blocks together is quite the challenge. But you seemed to connect the dots! Love those wheels. Your fabric choices have a charming vintage look. Have fun!

Barbara said...

What a fun quilt with the polka dot sashing! My goodness--you've been busy cutting wedges. Your wheels are fascinating. I tend to favor the vintage=looking one, too. Our weather has been in the low 40s--and sunny! Wonderful for getting outside and taking a nice long walk :)

Lizzy D said...

I love the child's quilt, very fun w polka dot sashings. When I see a child's quilt like this, w so many fascinating images carefully chosen, I picture a child and parent, bedtime cuddles, as they chat and point out the things to find and see, story book set aside.

The circles are awesome. A fave block that I love but have never made

love

lizzy

Nancy said...

Your finished top is delightful. Just the thing to entice and occupy a child to look and see, perhaps even for a game of I Spy.
Your Vintage Spin circles are so beautiful and fun. The fabrics you chose to put together are just right, especially the orange and grey. I'm looking forward to seeing your next circles. What background will you use for them? And I just reserved Kathy's book from the library. Maybe wheels are in my future. It seems like a great block to disguise a print (maybe especially one that you don't love the print but love the color) because the wedges are so narrow. (I'm guessing they are narrow based on the fact that there are 20.)

Cynthia@wabi-sabi-quilts said...

Your Vintage Spin (cool name) blocks look great. That's a lot of work. I like how you used the blue and yellow sashings in the donation quilt. Someone will enjoy playing "I spy" with that quilt I bet.

Barb said...

Your quilt is such fun and so many great eye spy fabrics to take in. The dots are wonderful.
I used to have the wedge tool, seeing yours makes me regret letting mine go!