Farmer's Wife 1930s QAL

  Block {55} Malvina

I have to admit, I've been lousy with keeping up with my blocks for the Farmer's Wife 1930s  quilt along. Although, I'm not certain why (aside from being distracted with other demands). The patterns for these blocks are flawless and total dreamboats to work with! The seams match up so nicely. I love that, especially since I don't generally follow the rules when it comes to quilt patterns.

I will also admit that I overestimated the contrast between these two fabrics that I used. Not to publicly shame myself, but I  thought the blue would seem much more pronounced as it does before chopped into 2 inch squares. So, to get the full effect I was going for, go ahead and blur your eyes. Yes, that's more like it…that's what i was going for. 

I realized the colors weren't right after sewing 3 triangles together using the foundation paper pieced method. By the time my brain registered what was happening with the contrast, it was too late. This is vintage fabric folks, precious little bits. I will absolutely use this block in the quilt and remaking the block is not likely to happen. Perhaps it will grow on me, but I'm a little sour about the imbalance here.  I plan to continue with my original quilt plan to use vintage fabrics with the exception of solids, in various shades of red, white and blue which I think will finish nicely. 

My tip for this block: 

-Truly visualize how your fabrics will play with one another before you cut. Keeping in mind size of fabric design and color (both blurry eye viewing and normal viewing).

-If it helps, tape out the shape on your ruler and place over your fabric to see what color is most pronounced. 

Thanks for hosting, Kerry!

Blossom: The Farmer's Wife 1930s Sampler Quilt

 I was admiring the book, The Farmer's Wife 1930s Sampler Quilt by Laurie Aaron Hird when Kerry announced her quilt a long group and what better reason to follow through with good intentions than to join a group. This is my block, Blossom. I chose to foundation piece the block to keep it neat and tidy as these blocks finish about 6 inches square. 

I have also decided to use authentic, vintage 1930s and 40s prints for this quilt. The solids are not vintage as those tend to be harder to come by, I have used Moda 'Betty's Red' for this block. This project will be a good use of my scrap bin fabrics and deconstructed damaged quilts that I have rescued over the years. However, foundation paper piecing tends to eat up fabrics or maybe thats just me? I may opt for  the EPP templates to hand piece some blocks. I love that the book comes with printable patterns for english paper piecing or foundation piecing as well as coloring/layout pages to plan each block. I'm looking forward to knocking out quite a few of these blocks as the weather cools. 

And for some reason, I am drawn to red and blue vintage fabrics so that theme may emerge as well. 

TIPS:

-When paper piecing, follow the order for sewing and joining sections  provided in the patterns  and your seams will nest nicely

-I used Best Press on the fabric before cutting into individual pattern pieces, which helps at keeping your block crisp at every step

- I used a 2" strip for the smaller pieces, which I  then sub-cut as needed

I do hope that you'll join along! 

Thanks for stopping by. 

navy and white nautical herringbone quilt.

A very clean and simple half-square triangle herringbone quilt. The backing is a lusciously-soft Michael Miller print. 

Thanks for stopping by...

Oh and be sure to check back here on June 2, for a chance to win a fat quarter bundle of American Made Brand fabrics! 

rainbow baby quilt.

No rhyme, 

 no reason, 

just right. 

warms + cools geometric baby quilt.

Thanks for peeking in. Your visits make my day!

navy gingham quilt.

A custom quilt.

Perfectly imperfect, in every way.

In which, tradition met modern on the East coast for an afternoon tennis match,

and fell in love. 

The hand-printed backing fabric on this quilt makes me melt. It's quite possibly the nicest fabric I've ever worked with. The price is reflective of the quality and the care put into creating this gorgeous textile. In other words, you won't find this in a bargain basement! It has the hand and drape of a buttery, vintage muslin, perfectly soft and broken in, truly a dream to sew with.  You can find it HERE, if you happen to be interested. I will seriously take this fabric into consideration when it comes time for  sewing for my hypothetical babies...until then...

Go make something!

xo

~Erica

black and white cross quilt.

Could alternatively be titled, Mourning Nurse Crawley. Alas, I thought that would be a tad morose title for a baby quilt. Inspired by my Red Cross Quilt.

This lil' guy recently departed the bitter-chill of Michigan's winter and is looking forward to living its days in sunny California. 

Cheers!

~e

blue and green herringbone baby quilt.

A custom quilt...

with snazzy colors,

and a playful backing,

that I considered keeping 'cause it matches my chair. 

Alas, I did not. 

Oh, Uhhh....Where did January go? 

red and white herringbone quilt.

Another herringbone quilt...this one is backed in a lovely vintage, screen-printed, floral cotton fabric. I adore the contrast in the preppy little sweetheart.

Hope this December finds you all well!

CB Handmade now has a Facebook page, so you can connect there if that tickles yer fancy. Thanks for stopping in!

xo 

Erica

vintage patchwork quilt.

A custom quilt made for a repeat customer for a newly arrived baby. I will never tire of making this simple cutie...

Happy Day!

xo 

~Erica

aqua and olive :: a pyramids baby quilt.

{reeeally could have used an ironing before photographing}

You're looking at my first equilateral triangle quilt. I love the colors and composition, the one thing I don't love is sewing so many seams on the bias. I will likely make another, but hope there are fewer swear words involved on the next.  I had a little difficulty with some of the seam intersections because of the direction I sewed and pressed in my first few rows. I was obviously not thinking.  It probably wouldn't have hurt to read a tutorial on this but I just went with it. I didn't take it apart and do it over, but definitely learned my lesson, I think. 

Best to ya! 

xo Erica