Sunday, September 21, 2014

Fuss, free spirited quilts and a fob

There's been a lot of fuss about a newly released book Unconventional and Unexpected Quilts Below the Radar. And I have to tell you I've been intrigued. This morning I read a review of this book by fiberchick and you can read it here. It was very interesting and I think this book is going to go on my wish list!



Fiberchick wrote "These quilts are the most colorful, joyful and soulful expressions of their creators' spirit. Made of polyesters, wools and corduroys as well as cottons they are the embodiment of recycled materials. They were made for warmth and they were made to be used. Stylistically, these patchworks intersect traditional quilts and purely improvisational ones. They are abstract in pattern and yet have form". After reading this I immediately thought of a wonderful quilt that was at my Guild's quilt show. It was made by Jennifer K and it is her first quilt. The name of the quilt is "The Cottage Quilt". Tell me, is this not an amazing quilt? Note: it does not have a blue border; that is the back of the quilt on the other side of the frame.


This is what Jennifer had to say about her quilt: "There was a threadbare bedspread at our family cottage - a vintage 1970 floral. in purple, turquoise and green, which started life as my bedspread at home when I was a kid. I decided to "upcycle" it into a crazy quilt using the same colour palette but more saturated and punched with a bit of hot pink, funky "me" patterns, all kinds of different fabrics and embellishments "galore". This was all before I learned how to quilt! My sewing machine was broken so I started piecing by hand - and couldn't stop! This is my first quilt." I had a chat with Jennifer and every piece of fabric had some sort of meaning. There is a rosette in the centre that is made from a fragile scarf that she remembers her mother wore when she was a child. Her mother told her it was also worn by her mother. All in all there are five generation of fabric remembrances in this quilt! In my humble opinion it is a beauty and quite possibly the most unique and special quilt in the show! I suppose it is what would be called a utility quilt but I don't think that term does this or others of its ilk justice. Right now I can't think of a better name but it is certainly is a free-spirited quilt!

I made a scissor fob for one of he vendors at our quilt show, Anita of Cotton Mill Threadworks. Anita sells Superior Threads, a personal favourite of mine! You know I love grasshoppers so I appliqued and embroidered the little critter on a pretty piece of fabric! She loved it!


So day one of the quilt show is down and day two is about to start. I will share lots of pictures from the show in the coming days!

Until I post again, happy sewing!
Karen H

6 comments:

  1. Beautiful unique quilt with a sentimental value, one to be passed on to other generations. Love the colours.

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  2. That lovely quilt really takes me back to the quilts I made before I learned the "rules". My Mum has one which was made entirely from my old clothes, as I had no money for fabric. I think that's where my love of scrap quilts was born and had endured these past 40 years.
    I like Jennifer's quilt enourmously.as I'm sure everyone who sees it will also.
    I look forward eagerly to seeing what you make after buying this book :-)

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  3. what a jazzy quilt, full of fun and cheery ness, must look out for that book in November at the next stitchy show
    glad alls going well for your show : )

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  4. What a beautiful memory quilt I bet it was so amazing to see in person.
    anita is a great lady met her years ago when she first started selling thread. I am sure she loved her key fob.

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  5. what a bieutifull quilt, i love you're grasshopper. You don't see them here much

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  6. My mother-in-law made a quilt from all the polyester pant suits, she wore in the 60's and 70's. It's extremely bright, very heavy and a little scratchy. She passed away almost 20 years ago and it's one of my husband's favourite possessions. It's the one quilt you'll always see him buried under when he's not feeling well. There's nothing that compares to that kind of history.

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