Library Quilt Display---Long
Debra
library today. It was the first day of the display so most of the
quilters were present and they even had refreshments. The quilts will
be on display until the end of this month, but this was the first day
that Mom didn't have to take anyone to a doctor's office for months
and it was time for her to treat herself.
Quilts greeted us in the library foyer, many of the older ones in
glass display cases, but one hanging. That one was large whole cloth
blocks. It was large print, life-like roosters fabric alternating
with a smaller print of golden dried grain, hand quilted with the
tiniest stitches I ever saw and the quilting lines were only a 1/4
inch apart on the grain print while the roosters were quilted to make
them pop. It all but said cockle-doodle-doo when you walked in the
door.
Since we arrived early, after we signed in we had time to look closely
at the 80 or so quilts hanging in the conference room before the crowd
got large. We even ran into someone we know. Mrs. D., who had given
us some of her fabric stash last fall, was there with a friend and
told us her stash was as big now as it ever was. After she had given
away half her original fabric stash to a lot of different quilters,
someone else gave her a whole new fabric stash. Mrs. D. said she
"just couldn't say no" to the fabric since it would be rude to refuse
such a fine and generous gift but she does wonder what she will do
with it all.
One queen size whole cloth white quilt was beautifully hand quilted
with feathers, flowers, tiny birds, and diamond gridding. The
quilting was completed in only 5 weeks. The lady who quilted it said
she had worked on it every spare moment she could to get it finished
in time for the display. She also had a smaller, WH sized, cat quilt
with a black boa for the cat's tail.
For those of you who wonder what to do with old neckties there was a
nice 1970s era quilt made with them. A solid color background was
chosen for the blocks, and squares cut from men's ties were appliqued
onto the background, one square per block. Narrow trim was appliqued
over the edges of tie squares adding a little more interest to each
block. Simple to make and pleasing to look upon.
There was also a new-to-me form of crazy quilt that Mom called a Crazy
String Quilt. Just rectangular strips of fabric in different widths
and lengths sewn together until they make a block big enough to use.
It had the same charm of a crazy quilt, without as much of the chaotic
look.
There was a Sunbonnet Sue & Dungaree Dan quilt with the names and
birth/death dates of an entire family on it, like a quilted family
tree. Several scenic quilts, 2 DWRs, one lively brick quilt, a few
Trip Around the Worlds, quite a bit of embroidered quilts though most
were redwork, one candlewicking quilt, a king sized Cathedral Windows
and 2 smaller vintage CWs, a car quillow, a purse, a few art inspired
quilts, 2 three dimensional flower quilts, one Strawberry Shortcake
bedspread, a snowman "biscuit" quilt, and a lovely Watercolor WH with
two birds on a branch in silhouette appliqued over it.
The quilts we liked best were; double monkey wrench set on point with
sashing, a patriotic Ohio Stars alternating with heart appliques
quilt, and a fun "crazy houses" quilt with such things as buttons for
door knobs and fun fur pets outside some of the houses. The one quilt
Mom was drawn to the most was a particolor oak leaf applique quilt in
autumn colors, with each two color block having reversed colors
splitting each applique oak leaf straight down the center. The quilt
was machine quilted and each oak leaf had quilting lines in the shape
of a holly leaf. Mom had never thought of using a quilting motif
other than vein lines for a leaf before. Now she has something new to
ponder over when it comes time to quilt the maple leaf quilt she is
making.
All in all we had a great time talking to folks and looking at quilts.
Mom has now seen a very good display and she once said that had she
known about it sooner she could have added in one of hers. That is a
big change in her attitude about her quilting. I've known she was
really good at quilting for a long time, but I just couldn't convince
her that her quilting was good enough to show off. She is beginning
to realize that it is. On the way back home we talked about the
upcoming quilt show in Roanoke in July and that she should take money
because I wished I had had money with me the first time I went to a
quilt show. I was able to tell her I definitely have that weekend off
from work so she had to write the show into her calendar of events.
Now she has something pleasant to look forward to this summer.
I even had a chance to take a few pictures with a viewscreenless
digital camera. Unfortunately they are stuck in a camera that my
computer can't access, so I have to wait until DH can connect the
camera to his notebook, the notebook to his PC clone, and then his PC
to my PC before I can even find out if any of the pictures turned out
well or not. So I have to say, sorry folks I'm a tease because I have
no pictures to post online right now.
Debra in VA
See my quilts at
http://community.webshots.com/user/debplayshere
Polly Esther
mom. Some of my most precious memories were my adventures with mine and how
I do cherish those memories. Thank you for sharing with us.
That said, what do you remember about the snowman/biscuit quilt? Our
Pat on her Hill mentioned recently that she didn't know what I was talking
about when I was excited about a special biscuit quilt. Was it just
biscuits for the snowman and the balance of the quilt flat? Details.
Wanting to hear whatever you remember. And hug your Mom for me. Polly
"Debra" wrote > My Mom and I went to a quilt display at the main branch of
Anne in CA
quilt Debra. I would love to see it. I now have a quilt dancing in my
head waiting to be born: The Oak King vs. The Holly King.
Anne in CA ... off to fire up EQ5 and start drafting ...
annerudolph AT comcast DOT net
"It's not having what you want; it's wanting what you've got." -- Sheryl
Crow
http://community.webshots.com/user/annerudolph3
http://www.frappr.com/rctq
Debra wrote:
<snipped>
>
> The one quilt
> Mom was drawn to the most was a particolor oak leaf applique quilt in
> autumn colors, with each two color block having reversed colors
> splitting each applique oak leaf straight down the center. The quilt
> was machine quilted and each oak leaf had quilting lines in the shape
> of a holly leaf. <more snipped>
Debra
<miste...@mindspring.com> wrote:
>You lucky and blessed rascal, Debra, to have such a grand time with your
>mom. Some of my most precious memories were my adventures with mine and how
>I do cherish those memories. Thank you for sharing with us.
> That said, what do you remember about the snowman/biscuit quilt? Our
>Pat on her Hill mentioned recently that she didn't know what I was talking
>about when I was excited about a special biscuit quilt. Was it just
>biscuits for the snowman and the balance of the quilt flat? Details.
>Wanting to hear whatever you remember. And hug your Mom for me. Polly
You've very welcome, Polly. Most of my most loved memories are of me
and my mom too. We have done a lot of things together over the years.
The biscuit quit was biscuits all over. The biscuits were about 2
inches across and maybe 1/2 to 3/4 inches thick. Nothing flat on it
except the binding. It was done in all solid colored fabrics.
Crayola crayon colors. Blue biscuits for the sky background, a line
of all white ones across the bottom for snow on the ground, white ones
for the snowman itself, black ones for the hat and buttons, red ones
for a scarf. The eyes, nose and mouth were drawn on the white
biscuits with some sort of pens. I remember thinking I would have
used fabric paint so the features would stand out a little more
because they looked a little pale compared to the classic crayola
colors of the fabrics.
It looked a lot like each biscuit was used where an X would be if you
followed a cross stitch pattern, and the facial features were drawn
because a simple cross stitch pattern of that size would have you use
french knots and backstitching for the features. It got me to
thinking about using cross stitch patterns for quilt designs all over
again. I'm going to have to do that at least once so I won't keep
thinking about it, and I know the perfect cat pattern to use too.
Now I'm the one intrigued. A quilt that is part biscuit / part flat
would be interesting. Adds a whole new level of texture to a quilt.
Where on earth did you see such a quilt?
Debra
edges at the joint between the two halves. There also was no satin
stitching along that line. The only satin stitching was around the
outter edge of each whole leaf. We came to the conclusion that each
block was done with the center seam allowance added, then cut and one
piece switched with another made in the opposite color combination.
Could that be possible? The center seam that split the leaves and
backgrounds were all spot on for each and every leaf.
An yes I took a picture. I hope I can get DH to hook all the
computers together in a day or two.
Debra in VA
Polly Esther
snowman in biscuit and the sky flat? I guess we'd have to do a practice
block or two to see how to make the biscuits rise and the other places hold
firm/soft / ???. Yes, we can do that. Polly
"Debra" wrote, in part > Now I'm the one intrigued. A quilt that is part
Pat in Virginia
Thank you. I feel like I've taken a quick
tour at a quilt show! <G> I am glad your
mother is gaining a better perspective of her
work. Maybe she will enter the State Fair.
When and where is the Roanoke Show? I'm just
4 hours away!
PAT
Debra
the edges of the biscuits where it transitions from biscuit to flat
quilt? I'd think a narrow strip of fabric matching the flat area
fabric should do nicely for covering any stray raw edge of the
biscuits.
Your mind can't be any more scary than mine. I can sort of picture
what you're thinking. Worse, I'm trying to decide between fabric
paint, embroidery, buttons, or quilt yo-yos for the features like the
snowman's buttons and eyes and such. My thinking on the yo-yos is
that if a body is going to marry two kinds of quilt into one, why not
add a third kind of quilt as well. Might be good, might be a tad too
much if added on the snowman itself. Hmmm......what about adding a
yo-yo tree in the background instead? Or perhaps just use yo-yos for
the snow on the ground at the bottom and some scattered snowflakes
falling in the flat background?
Um, Polly, I just saw the finished quilt in my head, no tree and only
fabric paint for the snowman features, but it has yo-yo snow with the
biscuit snowman and it looks good. I can also tell the biscuits have
to be placed first, then the background fabric added around the
biscuits, then add the yo-yos at the bottom and scattered on the
background. Can you see it? How does it look to you?
Debra in VA
Debra
Roanoke Civic Center, Exhibition Hall
July 15 and 16. Saturday from 10 til 6, Sunday from 1til 5
Admission $5
You could also enter one of your quilts in the show, Pat. There are
links to information at:
http://members.cox.net/starquilters/
Just scroll down to the 2006 Guild Show section.
Why do I feel like I am going to wish I had some form of RCTQ ID badge
to wear at the show?
Debra
<pat.q...@cox.net> wrote:
Oops. I forgot to say you're welcome and thank you for the
compliment. I do enjoy reporting such experiences and I'm glad I can
write well enough that others enjoy reading the reports. Someday I
hope Mom will feel like entering the Rose Dream into a quilt show.
That is one quilt that really deserves to be shown to others.
Pati Cook
The blocks were made with whole leaves that were very wide at the
middle. A leaf pattern was cut in half and a half inch inserted in the
space between halves. Then cut the blocks in half and match each with a
half from another block with a seam taking out the extended center of
the block. Very cute idea. (I have also seen the same sort of thing
done with Hearts and other shapes.)
Several in my guild chapter did this one. And there was one hanging in
the show this past weekend. <G>
Pati, in Phx
Polly Esther
this? Probably wise.
I've never made a WH. Never saw the purpose for one. However, Taria
made and sent one to DD and DSIL in December (They're the ones who lost just
about everything they owned in Katrina). They have received so many lovely,
loving gifts from this group.
Anyhow, back to our Snowman in biscuit/yo-yo. Eyes, etc in yo-yo would
want mighty tiny yo-yo's and I've seen it done but haven't tried it. Since
we're making a WH, it should be okay to use those shiny black buttons used
for eyes on teddy bears. For the carrot nose, we could carve a piece of
wooden toothpick or skewer and paint it. Ought to be able to carve just one
if we start soon.
For the snowflakes, I think my lace collection includes some separate
lace medallions that would be just right. Want some?
And I don't foresee a problem stitching a flat piece next to a biscuit
except we might have to use something rigid for a backing when the WH is
finished. We may not get finished. This could go on forever. What fun.
Polly
"Debra" wrote > Am I correct in guessing we would have to come up with a
Debra
<miste...@mindspring.com> wrote:
>Debra, have you noticed that nobody is willing to get into our minds on
>this? Probably wise.
Hee hee hee. They just don't know what fun is.
> I've never made a WH. Never saw the purpose for one. However, Taria
>made and sent one to DD and DSIL in December (They're the ones who lost just
>about everything they owned in Katrina). They have received so many lovely,
>loving gifts from this group.
How are they doing now? Do they need anything?
> Anyhow, back to our Snowman in biscuit/yo-yo. Eyes, etc in yo-yo would
>want mighty tiny yo-yo's and I've seen it done but haven't tried it. Since
>we're making a WH, it should be okay to use those shiny black buttons used
>for eyes on teddy bears. For the carrot nose, we could carve a piece of
>wooden toothpick or skewer and paint it. Ought to be able to carve just one
>if we start soon.
I found a nice long pointy gold bead at work recently that might do
for a carrot nose, or perhaps I should say karat nose. I don't know
why I brought that big bead home, but I always find a use for such
things. It would look nice with the button eyes too. The snowman
still needs a mouth though. Should that be in black buttons or red
ones?
> For the snowflakes, I think my lace collection includes some separate
>lace medallions that would be just right. Want some?
Wow, I never thought of lace. Lace snowflakes would look absolutely
marvelous. I like that way better than the yo-yos and I believe I
have some around here somewhere. I think I would use some curlicues
as a quilting pattern in that background area to suggest some wind
pushing the snowflakes around a bit as they fall. Silver thread
would look nice for that.
> And I don't foresee a problem stitching a flat piece next to a biscuit
>except we might have to use something rigid for a backing when the WH is
>finished. We may not get finished. This could go on forever. What fun.
>Polly
Some sort of stick or wood bar across the inside top and bottom ought
to keep it hanging straight unless we add a lot of weighty items onto
it. Speaking of sticks, shouldn't the snowman have stick/twig arms or
maybe be holding a broom? I never did like the twiggy arm snowman
look so I guess I'd make a broom, although I have always wondered why
a snowman would need one.
Debra
wrote:
>That quilt was patterned in Quiltmaker Magazine a couple (??) years ago.
> The blocks were made with whole leaves that were very wide at the
>middle. A leaf pattern was cut in half and a half inch inserted in the
>space between halves. Then cut the blocks in half and match each with a
>half from another block with a seam taking out the extended center of
>the block. Very cute idea. (I have also seen the same sort of thing
>done with Hearts and other shapes.)
>Several in my guild chapter did this one. And there was one hanging in
>the show this past weekend. <G>
>
>Pati, in Phx
Thank you so much for telling me this. I can pass the info along to
my Mom. She will be happy that she guessed the construction
correctly. I can see how the same method could be applied to any
applique that was the same on both sides when split down the middle.
Patti
Shall I look in Google, or will one of you gently tell me? >g<
.
In message <1KJTf.6825$Bj7....@newsread2.news.pas.earthlink.net>, Polly
Esther <miste...@mindspring.com> writes
>You lucky and blessed rascal, Debra, to have such a grand time with your
>mom. Some of my most precious memories were my adventures with mine and how
>I do cherish those memories. Thank you for sharing with us.
> That said, what do you remember about the snowman/biscuit quilt? Our
>Pat on her Hill mentioned recently that she didn't know what I was talking
>about when I was excited about a special biscuit quilt. Was it just
>biscuits for the snowman and the balance of the quilt flat? Details.
>Wanting to hear whatever you remember. And hug your Mom for me. Polly
Best Regards
pat on the hill
Polly Esther
Her method is quite a bit more complicated than most but will show you what
we're talking about. If trying a biscuit or two calls to you, let me know
and I'll give you a quick and easy version. Polly
"Patti" > wrote ... And I *still* don't know.
Polly Esther
> http://community.webshots.com/user/debplayshere
Julia in MN
I can see how the same method could be applied to any
> applique that was the same on both sides when split down the middle.
imagining a large apple block split diagonally. The apple would end up
in two colors (possibly two shades of red), the background would be two
colors. Do the applique, cut the blocks on the diagonal, mix them up,
and reassemble. Or do them like the easy half-square triangles.
You do have to remember to add the seam allowance and to get the
applique placed accurately on each block so that the edges match up when
you're done. The easiest way to draft the pattern is probably to draw it
as you want it to appear at the end. Cut it along your dividing seam
line, add the seam allowances to both pieces, and put them back together.
Hmmm -- now I'm wanting to try this :)
Julia in MN
--
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Taria
pretty well!
Those snowmen I made were the low fat kind, they were flat. Mine
had beady button eyes if I remember right. It is spring and the
sun is thankfully shining this morning. I am thinking snowmen
are fading fast. I reminded DH this morning it won't be a flash
before I am griping about the hot weather.
I'm curious to see your biscuity snow men : )
TAria
... and Polly, I have a doctor and his nurse that I am preparing to send
to your gators. Hope the gators don't get sick over these.
Polly Esther
"Taria" wrote, in >
Debra
<jaccola-AT-cha...@aaaaa.aaa> wrote:
>Debra wrote:
> I can see how the same method could be applied to any
>> applique that was the same on both sides when split down the middle.
>The applique wouldn't even have to be symmetrical. For some reason, I am
>imagining a large apple block split diagonally. The apple would end up
>in two colors (possibly two shades of red), the background would be two
>colors. Do the applique, cut the blocks on the diagonal, mix them up,
>and reassemble. Or do them like the easy half-square triangles.
It's too early for my mind to wrap itself around the non-symetrical
possibility so I'll have to think on it a little later. It occurs to
me that although the leaf quilt used two colors it would be possible
to use four colors. The background for the applique does not have to
be the same colors as the applique as long as the placement is
correct.
>You do have to remember to add the seam allowance and to get the
>applique placed accurately on each block so that the edges match up when
>you're done. The easiest way to draft the pattern is probably to draw it
> as you want it to appear at the end. Cut it along your dividing seam
>line, add the seam allowances to both pieces, and put them back together.
That is exactly how I thought the pattern could be drawn out the first
time. The hard part would be to get the correct placement of the
applique every time. A light box used with a layout master pattern
would help to insure proper applique placement.
>Hmmm -- now I'm wanting to try this :)
>
>Julia in MN
Debra in VA