Things always take longer than I expect they will. I thought about this Cheri Payne Baskets of Plenty block for several weeks and then a few days before I knew Cheri would post the next one (which is the 10th or 11th of the month), I began cutting fabric, playing with placement, cutting more and/or different fabric, rearranging pieces, etc., thinking I would finish it in two or three days! Not me. Here it is nearly a week later and it's finally finished. The new block has been available for several days: I think I'll start on it tomorrow.
When I look at primitive quilts I often see muted colors. I love the look but I can't seem to create it myself. Most of my fabrics are either bright or dark/dull with few muted colors among them.
I seem to have the inability to choose all fabric for a block/quilt before I begin cutting. I gather fabrics but then when I cut one element I reconsider all the other fabrics for the other parts. So every element gets several auditions and they are sometimes cut and partially stitched before I change my mind. Sometimes I think I have impaired artistic vision.
About the albino crow. I auditioned all three of the crows in the photo above but none seemed just right. I thought about black but knew it would disappear against the brown basket. Are there albino crows, I wondered. Yes, there are photos online and they are beautiful. So that's how this crow came to be on this block. Does that albino crow look "primitive" to you?
This block, with its plain muslin background fabric, brought to my attention how much the addition of Cheri's tea/coffee dying impacts the overall appearance of primitive blocks and quilts. I won't use tea/coffee because it washes out and I want this quilt to be washable and usable when it's finished. (What is it with stains? When we want them to wash out, they are stubbornly resistant. If we want them to stay they're gone after the first wash.) Walnut hulls will make a similar dye which, in my experience, is permanent. I'll collect some hulls in late summer/early fall before the rain leaches the dye out of them, make a dyepot full, and use it the same way Cheri uses her tea/coffee dye. Any extra will freeze for later use.
As always this has been a fun and challenging experience -- so many options, so many fabrics! And, as always, the variety of blocks made from the same elements is amazing and such fun to see. If you're interested in participating and you have a facebook account, you can request to join Cheri's facebook page: Quilts by Cheri ~ Friendship Group. She continues to welcome new members.
I'm linking this post to
> Finished or Not Friday at Busy Hands Quilts
> finish it up Friday at crazy mom quilts
> Can I Get a Whoop Whoop? at Confessions of a Fabric Addict
> Sew Stitch Snap SHARE #4 at Koka Quilts
Thanks for hosting, ladies.
--Nancy.
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I think the crow color is perfect for your block.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Karen. I've never seen an albino crow on a primitive quilt....
DeleteI always appreciate your opinion and feedback, especially considering how wonderful your quilts are!
Nancy tu bloque es muy bonito,
ReplyDelete¡¡me gusta tu cuervo!!
Muchas gracias, Belarmina.
DeleteI like this block and the way the flowers are leaning. Capturing a scene from real life, not an image of perfection.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Michelle. It was a fun block to make and even more fun after I finally decided to let the flowers have their own way.
DeleteJust spent a very blustery day in Idaho and everything was leaning. The flowers in your basket would have fit right in! : )
ReplyDeleteI like the albino crow--and I can't believe all the auditioning you did to get the block to click for you.
It turned out great!
LOL. I hope you didn't get blown to pieces, Janet. Did you have snow, too, in Idaho? My daughter lived in Rexburg for several years and always mentioned how windy it was.
DeleteYes, that auditioning takes me way too long. These fabrics work, but wait -- maybe these would be better. But wait.... I have trouble settling on the first idea and sometimes the second and third, too. I think it's the (failing) perfectionist in me. I wasn't sure about the crow at first. It just seemed so different than any primitive crows I've seen but I like it now that it's stitched down.
I was browsing through an applique book today and the author said she always chooses all her fabrics, cuts out the shapes, and lays them in their places before taking first stitch. I should try that approach.
I have never seen an albino crow. But it makes for interesting conversation on your quilt!
ReplyDeleteI have never seen an albino crow, either, Nancy, except in photographs. I suppose they are very rare.
DeleteI love the name of your post. You are so creative because it fits your block perfectly. This is going to be a lovely quilt.
ReplyDeleteThank you, DQ. It wasn't until I was nearly finished sewing the flowers that I realized they looked like a wind was blowing them sideways. This is my first attempt at primitive stitching so I hope it turns out to be a lovely quilt!
DeleteYou have done quite a nice job capturing the primitive feel on this block. You are right...once it is stained it will be perfect!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jennie. You're very generous with your compliment. I held up the background fabric before I chose it and I thought it was similar in tone to the other backgrounds but when I finished all the sewing an taped it to the wall -- wow, it looked like morning sun compared to the others under the shade of a tree. The only help for it will be tea or walnut dye!
DeleteThat is a good idea with the walnut hulls. I have often wondered how fast the tea dye would wash out. I totally agree that the crow should face into the wind -- that would have bothered me too. Great block!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Monica. Some of the other birds (assuming there will be more) will have to face the other direction, though....
DeleteYes, Cheri says the tea dye washes out and she has to reapply it if she washes a quilt.
I've been thinking about the walnut dye. I'm going to try it but, in fact, I've only ever dyed wool with walnut hulls. I hope it's as fast on cotton as it is on wool!
What a darling block, and you have all those leftover pieces and parts for your next quilt!!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Julie. Lol -- yes, I'm gathering quit a collection of unused applique parts while working on this quilt. Maybe they'll feel comfortable on those little plaid baskets. I'll have to give them a try.
DeleteYour block turned out great. I enjoyed seeing the parts that didn't make the cut too. I'm glad you explained the white crow. Now, it makes perfect sense. I collected some Butternut hulls when we were in Wisconsin. I had forgotten about them until now. I need to do some dying. Hmmmmmmm
ReplyDeleteThanks, Robin. Yes, that white crow is uncommon in nature, and probably on primitive quilts, too.
DeleteI think butternut hulls will work for a dye, too, though it may not be as dark as a dye from walnut hulls. If you're dying wool you could use an iron mordant. If you use them I hope you'll let me know how it goes.
I quite like the block, albino crow included. Don't those extra parts sometimes make an appearance in another block anyway? I really like your baskets. All of them. One of these days, I'm going to make some myself!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Susan. Yes, it's possible the extra parts can be used in other blocks. Or maybe in my little plaid basket blocks. We'll see. After seeing what your next applique quilt will be I think these baskets are far beneath your abilities! Of course, their simplicity makes them fun to stitch, too.
DeleteLove that leaning flower Nancy! To me, your block is a great interpretation of a 'primitive' style, applique and warm earthy tones. Thanks for linking up to 'sew stitch snap SHARE'
ReplyDeleteThank you, Linda. I'm learning that there is a spectrum of primitive style quilts and that some look more primitive than others. It's been fun to try out this style. Thanks for hosting "sew stitch snap SHARE." I'm not into the habit of linking yet but I'll get there.
DeleteLovely, beautiful work!!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Maryse.
DeleteI love your albino crow! It's a great solution. (And I hear ya on the auditioning of colors. Sometimes by the time I've chosen what fabrics to use with what I've already got, I've completely changed all the colors several times, and end up with nothing I started with! This may be why I don't do applique very often...)
ReplyDeleteI've used walnut hull dye on baskets for years. (I'm a basketmaker, as well as a quilter and knitter. So many hobbies, so little time!) It's the best color ever for reed and ash baskets. It would definitely mute the colors of your blocks, so you could go ahead and use those brighter shades! (I do hope it's not too harsh for fabric, though.)
Thank you, Gayle. Yes, yes, yes about auditioning. There have been a few times with these baskets that I've cut enough pieces to make two blocks! In some respects it would be easier to buy a kit or have someone tell me exactly what fabric and where to place the pieces. But, on the other hand, I feel like it would be so much less creative and I would probably rearrange everything anyway.
DeleteOh, I used to make baskets, too. I've only ever used walnut for wool. I don't know how well cotton will like it but it's such a strong dye that maybe I won't have to use an iron mordant. And I wasn't thinking about putting the whole quilt into the dye but spritzing it on as Cheri Payne does with her coffee/tea dye. I guess it will all be an experiment.