Recreating Antique Quilts Blog Hop

Welcome!  I'm so glad you stopped by for this hop.  When Wendy asked me if I'd be interested in participating, I jumped at the chance.  I've known Wendy for many years (where did the time go?!) and had the opportunity to test several of her patterns in the past so knew making something from her book would be fun. 

I am very impressed with Wendy's book "Recreating Antique Quilts" for several reasons.  It's not only beautifully photographed but includes full color schematics to guide you as you construct the project.  There's also tips to help make piecing more accurate which means no unpicking and resewing.  Applique templates are full size which means no wasting time and money at the copy center.  Quilting diagrams are also included for several projects.  All this and more for only $24.95.

 

Photo courtesy of Landauer Publishing.

 

If you're in the US or Canada and would like to purchase a copy of the book, click here.  If you'd like to purchase a copy signed by Wendy, click here.  If you're outside the US or Canada and would like to purchase a copy, please ask your local shop if they will carry the book.  If they won't carry the book, you can order directly from Landauer or Amazon.

 

I love, love, love to applique.  I piece so I have a background on which to applique.  Wendy knows this so I'm sure was expecting I'd choose an applique project.  Instead, I chose a pieced project:  Patches and Crosses Table Runner.  I was drawn to the symmetry of the project and interested in how the half blocks would work.  I wasn't disappointed as the pattern instructions clearly explain how to achieve perfectly pieced half blocks. 

 

 

Here's the pattern as shown in the book.  Photo courtesy of Landauer Publishing.

If you look closely, you'll notice several differences between the runner Wendy made and mine.  Notice the white inner border in Wendy's runner?  I omitted that border; I felt like with my fabric choices the white inner border would overwhelm my piece.  I also used two different fabrics for the border.....was that a design decision.....or an "I don't have enough fabric" decision?   I could spin a tale and go on about how using two different border fabrics was planned during the design phase but, honestly, I didn't have enough of either fabric for the border so thought it would be fun to use complementary fabrics.  I really like the additional interest the border adds to the piece. 

 

I used Lynette Anderson's Time with Friends fabric line for my project (photo courtesy of Lynette Anderson).  I chose the blue colorway for a nice spring look.  I have sewn with Lynette's fabrics many times in the past and love the feel of the fabric.  I also love the fact her lines can be interchanged.  You can see the entire range of Time with Friends here.  While you're there, be sure to check out her other fabric lines.

 

My table runner was beautifully quilted by Darlene at Sew Graceful Quilting.  I'd planned to quilt it myself but was very pleased when Darlene asked if she could quilt it for me.  Her quilting doesn't become the quilt -- it adds dimension and interest but allows the beautiful fabrics to remain the focal point.

 

What's next?  Now that I've finished a pieced project, it's time to move on to an applique project.  I'm drawn to 4 block applique quilts and think the urn of flowers on the Floral Fancy Wallhanging (photo courtesy of Landauer Publishing) would be beautiful as a 4 block quilt.  I think I'll set the urn on point with the pots meeting in the center.  What do you think?

 

 

I'm excited to see what my fellow bloggers created using Wendy's book.  Here's a link to the other blogs. 



Lisa: http://lovetocolormyworld.blogspot.com/
Doreen: http://treadlemusic.wordpress.com/
Karen: http://karensquiltscrowscardinals.blogspot.com/





Landauer has graciously offered to give away a copy of their book.  Leave a comment by March 13 and I'll draw the name of a lucky person. 

Thanks for stopping by.  If you'd like to follow my blog, I'd love to have you join.  Since my mother passed away, I've been pretty hit and miss in posting but thanks to Wendy I'm motivated to post more often.