Thursday, May 20, 2010

Sew & Tell Friday: The Cutest Thing Ever

No, it's not a stuffed bear bigger than you, it's Grandmother's Flower Garden!  I've been itching to learn this block for a long time and we finally did it in my class last week.  It's a little bit of a cheat because I didn't have to cut out all those hexagons, but I'm okay with not cutting out all those hexagons.  The third row of the flower is all one piece, the second row is one piece and the center is obviously one piece.  Wait... this is hard to explain.  I'll show it instead:




I used a layer cake of 1930s reproduction prints called "Chloe's Closet."  To make it look like each hexagon is a separate piece, I quilted straight lines in the appropriate place:


Just admit that you've never seen anything so cute.  I have enough to make another runner and a baby quilt with this fabric.


I had to take a photo with one of my "vintage" Pyrex bowls.  So cheery.  This belongs in a kitchen with one of those old fashioned refrigerators and a black and white checkered floor.  Don't you think, Drusilla?!

Earlier this week I did a little inventory of all the sewing projects I have ingredients for.  I even cut a lot of my pieces out before putting each project in a bag.  (Who has two thumbs, a lot of fabric and no piano students right now?!)  I pulled out one of the bags last night and got to work.  Here is the result:


Fun, huh?  I can't get enough of that French General Rural Jardin.  Using the toile for the flower petals was a little problematic - I didn't want to cut anyone's face off or get another horse's bum.  I love how it turned out.


This last project has been featured here before when I did the bulk of the work over Conference weekend.  I decided to put it in the Eagle Mountain Quilt Show next weekend, so I had it quilted at a long arm quilter, then I hand sewed the binding.  Wish me luck!  I love to win stuff, you know. 


I brought this quilt to my class several weeks ago and as my quilting friends were admiring it I noticed one of the pieces was upside-down.  Bah!  Thank goodness it was in a corner and relatively easy to fix.  If it had been in the middle, I would have called it my Amish patch.  (Did you know the Amish have a tradition of putting a "mistake" in their quilts because only God is perfect?)


Check Amy's blog for more fun stuff to do with fabric and obsessive compulsive disorder!  And be on the look out for the pattern for our car seat blankets that we'll be selling soon.  :)

17 comments:

Mr and Mrs C said...

If I was a rich girl..."lada dee-dee dee-dee diddle-diddle duummm"...oh I crack myself up! But seriously, if I was I would buy ALL of them from you! So beautiful...I just want them all. So wish I had your talent!

melissa said...

What an amazing craftswoman you are! Hey! Weird coincidence: I have an old fashioned fridge and a checkered floor. Just saying. I think my home is one big Amish patch.

allyn said...

i hope you win, too! i would choose yours.
holy cheater on the hexagons. how fun, though, to have that same look in the end.

all is beautiful.

Mag said...

wow! there are all so beautiful, and it must taken you a long time to do that.

QuiltyBee said...

Really beautiful finishes--how satisfying! I love your fabric choices.

ktquilts said...

Fabulous!! Really like your projects!
Blessings,
KT

Anonymous said...

My goodness, you have been busy, Nicole! Love them all, but that toile runner is my favorite.

Allison and Noah Riley said...

Loved the reference. "Gotta go, Christmas tree's on fire..." :)

Paulette said...

All your projects are so pretty! Love the hexagon runner, and especially the "cheat" part, which I never would have known otherwise. I spotted that cool Pyrex bowl right away!

Jan said...

Even if it is a bit of a cheat, the flower garden runner is gorgeous! I love your choice of fabrics. Good luck in the quilt show!

Jill said...

I love the Grandmother's Flower Garden block. SEW cute! :-)

Leslie said...

a baby quilt in that pattern with those fabrics would be gorgeous. i love the reproduction prints.

Sarah Craig said...

What a great (and easy!) way to make Grandmother's Flower Garden blocks! I've done them the hard way and this looks much more fun! Beautiful pics!!

amylouwhosews said...

darling, as always. Allyn and I are always amazed at your productivity!

Heather said...

Your projects are SO beautiful! I love your work, and your blog is always so much fun to visit. Good luck at the quilt show! :o)

Carla said...

What great and wonderful inspiration! YOur quilts are lovely and good luck with the contest next week! I'm sure you'll win a ribbon. :o)

Dayna said...

I didn't know that piece of Amish trivia. I like it!

You totally took me "there" with your vintage kitchen description. These are beautiful finishes.

I hope you do well at the quilt show!