Saturday, February 14, 2009

Happy Valentine's Day!



Left over bits and pieces to make a fabric postcard for a friend.

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Strawberry Patch Doll Quilt


It started with a strawberry embroidered on a set of vintage napkins. For years, they'd lain hidden at the bottom of a buffet drawer in my parents' dining room. Was Mom "saving them for good," or had she forgotten about them over the years? 
When I asked about them, I secretly hoped they had a romantic backstory a she'd made them for her hope chest. Turns out, she had no idea where they'd come from, so with that, they were mine!

After admiring a series of doll quilts made by Vicki Haninger of Turkey Feathers, I knew just how to use those strawberries. Vicki included a single embroidered square in each quilt. That unexpected detail really knocked my socks off!


Used with permission of Vicki Haninger

Adding to the charm was Vicki's choice of fabric--pure, bright colors, prints with white backgrounds, assorted checks, polka dots, and whimsical vintage designs, none of which I had in my own fabric stash.

An Internet search led me to Sandy Klop, whose American Jane fabric designs ticked all the right boxes!


Each of Sandy's fabric collections has a retro 1940-50s vibe, and while I'm not usually slavish to a single designer, especially within one quilt, Vicki, herself, recommends working from a charm pack of 5" squares. That way, the fabrics all work together.

Can you spot the "vintage" fabric here? It's a Cranston Print Works calico from the 1970s.


From four vintage napkins I made four little quilt kits to share with friends (like Barb). It's fun to imagine those embroidered strawberries living a second life!


Strawberry Patch doll quilt

15" x 17"



Sunday, February 1, 2009

Preposition Proposition


I’ve done it again… uttered those words that send my family scattering like pins on a hardwood floor: “I’m looking for a piece of fabric.”

With frenzied panic, they fumble for excuses:“Dad wants me to shovel the driveway… now!" “Gotta finish my homework. It's due tomorrow!” “I’m on the phone… long distance!”


Fear not, dear ones. This time, I know exactly where it is:"Go through the kitchen, into the dining room. It’s amongst the sewing things, on the chair, nearest the door. It’s in that pile of stuff, under the magazines, between the homespun plaids and batiks."


Uh oh, I’m beginning to lose them. When it comes to tracking down fabric, they’re like puppies or young children. They can only follow one command at a time.


"You can’t miss it… it’s red… red toile." Oh no, I’ve confused them with a technical term. Better redirect. "It's Christmas fabric… with scenes of Santa."


“Found it!” I hear someone cry triumphantly.


“Great! Now can you find the coordinating prints?”


They have glazed looks. I know better than to push my luck.