For this sew-along she gave us the basket pattern and arrangement of pieces for the basket to sew it together but there are no directions for the other pattern pieces -- nor quantity of each. One flower or four? Five leaves or two? We're on our own in deciding how to place the elements of the block, using as many or as few as we want.
When I use patterns it seems like I always change them anyway (I've already changed Cheri's bird pattern), so this shouldn't be a challenge, except that I've never made a "primitive" block before. As I look at primitive-style quilts my impressions are of patterns, stitchery, and arrangements that are unself-conscious and unpretentious. There is a child-like quality that leans toward folk-art. I love the look, but can I create it? If I spend too much time playing it begins to feel contrived and self-conscious. And I've been playing for a week or two....
Cheri will share her finished block just before she gives us the new block, around February 10. Maybe I'll sew mine by then, or maybe I'll wait and follow her arrangement.... Other members of the group have made and shared some beautiful baskets.
More New
Last week I went to the fabric store on my birthday and bought a few fat quarters with no particular use in mind yet, but they appealed to me. The store has a smallish selection of reproduction fabrics, so not many to choose from.
As I was checking out the clerk asked me if I wanted a free block pattern and fabric to make it. Free? Well, sure.
I came home with orange and text fabric to make a 6" Plus block and a little tag with numbers to be punched each time I get the next pattern. And directions, of course.
If I return every two weeks I'll get another selection of fabric to make another block, but if I miss a block I'll have to buy it. I know they're trying to increase business. When a quilter steps foot inside a fabric store and she always leaves with fabric, right?
Happy quilting to you.
I'm linking this post to
> WOW at Esther's Blog
> Let's Bee Social #162 at Sew Fresh Quilts
> Midweek Makers #57 at Quilt Fabrication
Thanks for hosting, ladies.
--Nancy.
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I think your basket block looks great! If I am doing prim I can't think about it too hard, either. : )
ReplyDeleteNice selection of greens. I must use a lot of greens because I am always running low. Hence, I give myself license to add to that drawer whenever I find one (or more) I can't resist.
I've heard of quilt shops running block programs like that, but I have never participated. I am not consistent enough in my visits to get them free, and I wouldn't be willing to pay for them each time if I didn't absolutely love them. Is the shop you got yours from close to home? Will it be easy for you to drop by and get the free blocks?
Thanks, Janet. I should probably be more careful in my fabric-buying efforts. I don't have many reproduction/1800s fabrics so I buy pieces of the ones I like, but usually with nothing in particular in mind. I'll probably end up with a collection of fabric that doesn't work together at all!
DeleteThe shop that offered the plus block fabric and pattern is about 15-20 miles north of us. We get up that way about once a month but I don't go to the fabric store every time I'm in the area. (I'm honestly trying to use up fabric instead of collecting, but I'm failing miserably on that front.) I wasn't sure if they would let me collect blocks 1, 3, 4, 6, etc. or if I have to collect one (on time or pay for it) before I can get the next. I don't think I have 25 orange fabrics so I can't make an orange quilt on my own, but I can substitute another color if I miss. I know I wouldn't pay $2.00 for several small pieces of fabric.
Sweet applique block!! Enjoy your new Block(s) of the Month program. Looks like it's off to a FUN start!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Joyful Quilter. It seems like a little thing to keep up with one block a month but I think I can do it!
DeleteThe quilt store project sounds like a good idea to me - it's always fun going to the candy store! Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI think that little quilt will be fun, Susan. I hope I can keep up and get there every two weeks. I'm looking forward to seeing the fabrics they choose. And, well, yes, choosing some to buy while I'm there....
DeleteYour Buckeye top is looking ever so smart, Nancy. And yes, what a great idea those folks have thought of there. No we can never ever get out of a fabric shop without something in hand! I'll check out that BOM too as I like the basket very much.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jocelyn. I was thinking that one of the purposes of the store's block program just might be to increase sales. If you do Cheri's BOM in her Friendship Group I hope you enjoy it.
DeleteCheri does have her own style, doesn't she. I started one of her quilts, made 3 blocks, and then went on a mission. I haven't gotten back to it since returning but I really want to. Her lack of instruction is sometimes baffling. I guess I need more attention - ha! I like the brown centers in the flowers. It brings everything together.
ReplyDeleteHi, Robin --
DeleteYes, Cheri's style is unique. I don't know exactly what about her patterns that make them easy to attribute to her. I've never purchased a pattern from her so don't know what those look like --how much instruction she includes -- but have one of her books. I think she probably assumes that those making her blocks have a basic knowledge of quilt-making.
Thanks for your comment about the brown centers on the flowers. I kept going back and forth between brown and several other colors but was leaning toward the brown.
I'd love to see photos of the three blocks you made of Cheri's pattern. I think the applique blocks you're working on now are just wonderful.
Yes that folk arty, naive style has always interested me too. I'd be tempted to pop in a few brights & stitching embelishments along the lines of Tim Miner's sweet 'bird dance' blocks though! (http://tominerfolkart.blogspot.co.nz/)
ReplyDeleteHi, Linda. I think Nancy's blocks (at Tom Miner) created by Sue Spargo also have a primitive quality about them but in a different way than Cheri Payne's patterns. I don't know whether I can combine the two -- at least not yet. I think I need to master one style first. But yes, absolutely, I can imagine you adding Sue's beautiful brights to your blocks!
DeleteYour basket looks great, I love that red bird.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kate. I like the bird, too, but I'm not sure it looks "primitive." Still, I'm on a learning curve.
DeleteI also enjoyed playing with Cheri's basket pattern. There were so many interesting basket blocks made by the participants and so many ways those applique pieces could be put together for different looks.
ReplyDeleteHi, Karen --
DeleteIt's been fun. The way Cheri has presented the pieces gives quilters a wide space to use their creativity for placement of the elements and it's been fun to see fabrics for all parts, which pieces quilters use, and the placement they choose. I'm curious to see how Cheri's basket looks. And your basket looks great and is probably the most "primitive" one that I've seen.
I've never made a basket block. I think I am always intimidated by the handle, but your block is wonderful. You've chosen lovely fabrics.
ReplyDeleteHappy very belated birthday! You've chosen wonderful greens for your stash. I choose fabrics just because I like them as well.
I also really like the X block on point. I just pulled a pattern from my collection that uses that block. I've been wanting to make it for some time. I'm fairly certain that I would get into too much trouble if I stepped into a quilt shop every 2 weeks, but it would be tempting. :)
Hi, Karin. I think I would be intimidated by a basket handle if I had to use bias-cut fabric, but for this block I cut a curve and then turned under the edges. Some of the other quilters who are participating in this sew-along used strips of fabric sewn into an angled curve for the handle. I'm sure you could do a basket, you're so good with everything else you sew!
DeleteThank you for the birthday wishes. I like the greens but I have no idea how I'll use them. And the fabric store every two weeks .... Their selection isn't big enough for me to get into too much trouble, so I guess that's a good thing. But I'll tell you what will cause me trouble one of these days is the fabric store you suggested, Whittle's. They have great fabric and great prices. Thank you for telling me about the store.
I haven't sewn either of the two x blocks yet. Is your pattern for a 6" block? What colors will you use?