A scrappy queen size quilt I just finished. The title is "Old Guys Rule".
While constructing it, I referred to this quilt project as "Biddies and Growd Ones". I'd seen a farm sign announcing--"Far Sale Chickuns, Biddies and Growd Ones." I thought the sign was charming.
The sign prompted me to explore building a quilt from little biddy pieces, and seeing it growd up into one big ol' quilt.
My goal the last two years has been to cut up remnants--left over fabrics from other quilt projects. My focus is random lengths of 2.5" wide strips sewn end to end to distribute colors. The second step: sew the strips together (side seams) to form a rail fence block at least 14" sq. No measuring necessary, just eye ball it. Every once in a while I added skinny strips 1.5" wide for interest.
Next step: trim down the block to 12.5" sq. using an acrylic square ruler.
In my studio tools I have an assortment of square acrylic rulers, 2.5", 4.5", 6.5", 8.5", 10.5", 12.5", 16/5". This allows me to quickly square up sub assemblies or completed blocks. Accurate sewing begins with accurate cutting.
In this photo, I have four 12.5" rail fence blocks and joined them with a gray "concrete" fabric sashing with a dark blue corner stone. This larger sub assembly I call a quadrant.
I stitched together the quadrants, end for end to build the first row of the quilt. I continued adding rows to flesh out the quilt, and finished the perimeter with a two-piece border of another gray fabric and dark blue used in the corner stones. The gray is a constant to bring the quilt together.
I confess the corner stones and border is a dark blue with a light purple printed fabric. From a distance, it reads dark blue. I chose it because of its darkness and ability to prove "contrast".
Contrast is my best friend when improvising a quilt.
When I was a portrait and still life artist (oil painter for 35 years) I learned early on--that one cannot show "light" without having "dark". I know, that sounds silly. It is--what my eyes understand, but difficult to express in words.
"Old Books" painted by me in 1985.
I didn't long arm quilt this one right away. I was looking for a great backing fabric and finally found a FISH print fabric at Herschner's in Stevens Point. Best fabric ever! Good prices.
Be sure to attend Herschner's annual warehouse sale June 12-16. I know I'll be there!
I read the salvage legend on the fish fabric and was pleasantly surprised to see, "Old Guys Rule" by Robert Kaufman. Hot dog! Love the fish, love the name "Old Guys Rule" and adopted it for the title of this quilt.
I added to art panels to the backing fabric, to reintroduce random strips of color, contrast, and pattern.
To finish, I sewed on a dark blue binding; 2.5" wide is what I prefer. The prep for the binding is to cut eleven 2.5" wide strips, joined diagonally to reduce bulk. Then fold and press the 440 inches of binding, and then sew binding around the quilt perimeter. Better to have enough than to run short, right?
It takes me a good 4 hours work to turn the binding and hand stitch in place. To hem, I make a stitch forward, then a back stitch, and every 6th stitch I knot. Selecting a thread that matches the binding will result in stitches that cannot be seen, and never come undone. Forgive me, if that is a repeat of information I wrote on my last quilt post.
My intention is to deliver a quilt that will withstand years and years of joyful use, and the convenience of machine washing and drying.
Worth Repeating:
You can see me, and perhaps you'll buy one of my queen size quilts, quilted body pillows, beautiful beaded purses, fabric journal covers, or over sized farmhouse potholders on display in my tent. Also, I'll be demonstrating sewing on several antique hand crank sewing machines--and offering a couple of those machines for sale. Feel free to sit down and try one!
Memorial Weekend - Sat/Sun May 25-26, 2019
10a until 5pm
Rising Star Mill Arts and Craft Show
Nelsonville, WI
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