October Monthly Mini

Another small mini from vintage blocks.

When I was given these (by my MIL, of course) I immediately knew I wanted to use them for doll quilts. (read more about the blocks  here.) I really love those quiry old fabrics!

I began deconstructing some blocks by cutting them along the seam lines. It was tedious and a bit overwhelming, and the whole idea stalled. Plus I wasn't sure yet "exactly" what I wanted to make.

They went back in the bin and ended up stashed for the past 3 1/2 years.

Recently I saw this on Pinterest, and I was re-inspired.

A simple one-patch. That sounded like a plan. So I dug out the blocks and got to work. After a lot of cherry picking, slicing, and patch liberation, I ended up with a group I thought might work for a cute little mini.

 

Mine measures 7 1/2" x 10 1/2"

  I have enough of those big blocks to make 50 more of these. 

Which I won't, of course. 

The back and binding, I believe, are vintage ... '60's, maybe?

I need to liberate more patches out of those blocks, and see what else I can come up with. Maybe a little quilt for my new doll cradle?  😊

OK.. that's it for me! Now go check out the other "Monthly Mini's" posted this month, over at The Constant Quilter!

love,
Sandy

My First Doll Bed

My hubby was in St. George Utah a couple of weeks ago, playing softball in a senior league. He really wanted me to go with him, but that dang job of mine keeps getting in the way of such fun.

On his way home, he stopped to visit his Mom in Southern California. Somehow they came up with the notion that I might like a doll bed.  And the next thing you know he loaded this into his car...

A doll cradle! Made by his stepdad, no less!
(Lela, if you are reading this, THANK YOU so very much! You are the sweetest, most generous Mother-in-Law (and friend) a girl could ever have!)

I wasted no time fashioning an improv mattress and covering it with a doll quilt. Now all I need is a pillow and pillowcase.

I placed this little gem on it in the meantime...

But I'd like something smaller, more in the shape of a bed pillow. I'm pretty sure I can round up suitable materials to make one, along with a cute pillowcase. If all else fails, I may have to employ my friend Melinda, who made the one above.

At any rate, I am thrilled to have my very first doll bed! I'm not sure where I'm going to put it, as its fairly large, measuring 20" long, and 18" across the rockers. So it won't exactly fit on a shelf, you know? Hmmmm..... will have to keep you posted on that. Meanwhile, I'll have fun "changing the linens" and trying out some other doll quilts on the bed. Fun!

While in St. George, Bruce made use of his spare time visiting relatives in the area, and also made a "proxy" visit to the local quilt store, where he bought these:

Eleven fat quarters, which he picked out himself, based on his observation of what I like. Good job, Bruce! You gotta love a guy who buys fabric for his wife, right? Most of these are from the line Hickory Road by Jo Morton. I love them!

I'm a happy gal!

love,
Sandy

On My Design Wall

Do these blocks ring a bell for anyone?

They're from a sew-along called Summer Sampler, that Sheryl Johnson from Temecula Quilt Company led back in 2015. I've had a seed planted in my brain about this quilt, growing slowly for four years. Lately it has worked its way to the front, demanding to come to fruition.

Above is the quilt Sheryl made, the one everyone sewed along with.
(pssst... you can still find all the directions for Sheryl's quilt here)

Below is the antique quilt which was her inspiration.

I fell in love immediately.

I downloaded all the blocks, I bought the background fabric and the Block Tool* and followed along faithfully for ten weeks.

But I never made a single block.

I don't remember what was taking priority at the time, but this guy kept getting put on the back burner while I worked on "more important" things, and ended up staying there in an endless loop - for a very long time - while other projects came and went.

The background fabric got used for another project (a bad sign).
I still have the Block Tool (a good sign).

Well (four years later) somehow its number finally came up, and I decided to just go for it.

Part of the impetus was a bin full of charm packs etc. I'd been hoarding saving for way too long, including many pre-cuts from TQC. So I already had the right fabrics to get the desired "look" .. being brighter and more lively than my usual darkish/dullish palette, but still retaining a vintage look.

This is what I have so far.

The background blue is from my stash, and is looking more dull than it actually is, no doubt due to the poor light in my sewing room when I took the picture. But even in poor light, the blocks really stand out, which is a good thing!

Meanwhile, I discovered an alternate blue in one of my charm packs, a Betsy Chutchian line called Evelyn's Homestead.

Very close to the one from my stash - but prettier - so I went ahead and ordered some yardage. I may use them both. The vintage "inspiration" quilt has a slightly different fabric for the upper and lower borders, and I like that look.

Its hard to tell from the picture what exactly the quiltmaker used for the "lights" in the vintage blocks, but Sheryl used white in hers. One change I'm making is, I'm using shirtings for my lights. My way of adding a little more warmth, I guess.

One of Sheryl's own interpretations of the vintage quilt was to substitute many of the more complicated blocks for simpler ones, resulting in a cleaner, more graphic look, and at the same time, an "easier" project for summer sewing.  I decided I'd like to at least try more of the original blocks. In other words, I'll be using blocks from both the original quilt and from Sheryl's repro for my own interpretation.

I have nineteen more blocks to make, give or take a couple of re-makes. Which I don't mind, as I'm absolutely loving making these blocks!

love,
Sandy


*I highly recommend The Quick and Easy Block Tool by C&T Publishing - very helpful, especially if you need instructions on how to cut various blocks. (includes 102 rotary cut blocks in five different sizes!) I bought mine from Temecula Quilt Co.  Of course!