Monday, February 28, 2011

New Blocks and a Challenge!

I started a new quilt! I figure I've completed so many projects lately I'm due. My husband, the Civil War buff, agreed that he needed me to make him a quilt with Civil War reproductions for the 150th Anniversary of the beginning of this historic conflict.
I didn't have a square of CW fabric in my extensive stash so you know what that meant. . . . I got to buy fabric!!! I found a beautiful fat quarter tower celebrating the CW anniversary by Julie Rothermel for Marcus Fabrics in Nancy Rink's booth at the Road to California quilt show and fell in love. Of course, it didn't help my "Stashbuster" numbers. . .This represents half the number of 9 1/2" blocks I need for the quilt. I plan several borders, probably a pieced one and maybe an applique one. It's
going to be a magnum opus!


I also can now show the Challenge quilt I finished for my quilt guild. The theme is "Bloomin' Fun" and we had to use the border fabric and the green you see in the middle. I saw this idea in a recent issue of Quilters Newsletter. I spent hours cutting and fusing each of those 1/4" to 1/2" 'mosaic' pieces to the background. Trouble is, they started suddenly coming off!!! I tried gluing a few back but that didn't work and I didn't want to machine sew them because it would have ruined the 'tile' effect. So I was forced to put a piece of fine, black tulle over the top and machine stitch around each piece! Tedious and time-consuming and I think the effect damages the idea but, it is what it is. It measures 20" x 30".

Drop by Judy's site and see what everyone else is up to, quilting-wise!

9 comments:

Charlene S said...

It is still beautiful. Sometimes things happen for a reason...those blocks could have fell off at the showing.

Connie Kresin Campbell said...

Beautiful wallhanging! I had trouble with this once when I didn't wash the fabric first. I'm sure the black tulle will work fine.

Vicki H. said...

Love both quilts. The civil war quilts are so pretty. The mosaic is really pretty and the colors are great. Looks like you spent hours on it and the end result is fab.

AnnieO said...

Love the CW blocks. Lots of yummy variety going on there.

The mosaic is gorgeous! I would not have thought to use the tulle, though of course it makes sense.

Marti said...

The mosaic quilt is breath-taking. I think the tulle might even add a dimension to it.

Heather said...

I can't imagine stitching around all those tiny pieces! That is dedication! And it looks fantastic to me. Love the start of your CW quilt, too. Bet your hubby is excited!

Melinda said...

OMgosh, your challenge quilt is stunning. What a work of art. Congratulations. And have fun with your Civil War quilt. Poor you having to buy fabrics. LOL

Sarah said...

I just love the mosaic quilt. I didn't notice the tulle so I bet people won't notice unless you say something.

I also keep seeing the birds in the air block around - it must be a sign to start one of those too :)

Quilter Kathy said...

It's fabulous...congratulations!