For The Love of Wonky!

A box arrived on the front porch at Quiltville Inn the other day.

A rather unexpected LARGE box.

Usually it's things like commercial shipments of toilet paper for the inn that arrive in this size of box, so I was surprised to see that the box was not in fact shipped from Amazon or Costco, but from my friend Cathy.

"Just what is she up to now?!" I asked myself as I hauled the box down from the front porch and into the QPO studio next door to open it and see what was inside.

Oh, for fun!

And isn't this crazy wild??  Someone's honest attempt at what I am assuming is putting someone else's star blocks from one era into a "summer spread" in a completely later era - that sashing is hysterical!

Things I know about this top - the fabrics in the blocks are 30's/40's - and from what I can only guess - the sashing fabrics are 1960s.

Could some of the blocks be saved by removing them from the sashing?  Could be!  I love the fabrics - they are sweet!

And I love that one bottom block where the maker evidently ran out of the peachy background check and just thought blue would do just as well.  Because - of course!

The orange floral sashing may have been a garment at one time - because this sashing has a dart in it.  LOL!

Someone did their best with what they knew and what they had.  I'm giving them honest credit for that.

And the maker of the blocks? While the corner setting squares are straight grain, those side triangles are bias on the outside so that added a whole other round of challenge for the sashing person.

Who needs 1/4'' seam allowance when 3/4'' will do!

The blocks are hand pieced and they come out at varying sizes - thanks likely to the bias on the setting triangles.  They probably grew as sashing was being attached to them.

You know that kind of sashing - where you just sew it on and whack it off where you think it needs to end? 

I needed this bit of good humor, and I am not laughing at the makers - I am nodding and giggling with them because this was an honest good try.

It could be that the sasher had never quilted before and were just TRYING.

Now of course, there is another problem.  Some things will NEVER quilt out - and there are some "D Cups" in the center of the star blocks as well.  We've all been there, at one time or another, right?

A for effort - And I need to decide at some point what I'm going to do to add my stamp to this try.  Or not.  LOL!

Now this beauty!

Cathy knows my love of string stars - And this one rings ALL the bells.

Not that it is asymmetrical.  The two right corners end with quarter-stars. The two left hand corners have sashing going into the corners.

I adore the 9 patch cornerstones.  

Why stop here?  Because the quilt was as big as it needed to be.  It fit the bed.  So there.

Other things to love - the pink/grey half star at the bottom is the "other half" to the two quarter stars that are in the upper and lower right corners.

"Let's just cut this block into pieces and sew them in this way."  Because, why not?

While many of these scraps could date from the 1880s, 1890s, I think it's safe to say the quilt was made around 1900 due to the black mourning print used as the border and the well-worn and faded burgundy resist print used as binding.

Thanks, Cathy!  You made my day  - experiencing awe and laughter all contained in the same box was a wonderful surprise.

She also sent another child's quilt that I haven't photographed yet  - it's a double sided strippy.

And her mother's pink depression glass salad bowl which is now in use at the inn.  I was tempted to bring it home, but it is in a place where it can actually be seen and loved there.

Can you spot Tula?

I was sitting in the wicker chair on the side-porch waiting for the Joyful Quilters to start arriving - 

I don't know if you can tell but she has her front paws tucked under her in complete comfort and satisfaction.

She is nearby even when loads of strangers are pulling wagons full of quilty stuff, machines and food and more up to the back porch to move on in for their retreat.

Such a grand porch princess!

The clear-my-head project.

See the cutter quilt piece on the right?

Jacob's ladder variation circa 1920.  I am guessing 1920 - dots and plaids and stripes are hard to date.

But that red??

It looks like peppermint candies!

I've had this cutter piece for years - intending to trim and bind it and use it as a 4th of July table topper or something.

But you know how best laid plans go - back burner, baby! I grabbed it to use as a cover for the tablet on my long arm to keep dust and lint away.  Makes sense, right?

Well, this simple block has been calling to me rather loudly.

How would this look in scrappy fashion with random reds and neutrals and using recycled blues?

Before I knew it there were 8.

These pieces feel so large to me!

My piecing has been relatively intense over the past long while.  These are stitching up so fast!

And it feels good to be piecing something "NORMAL" or what is considered not too extreme to the rest of the quilting masses out there.

My blocks are a bit smaller than the vintage quilt - but I still like them.

Yesterday I turned around and there were 22.

These blocks are like rabbits!

I'm not sure how I'm going to set them - if I'm going to use sashing or not.  I kind of like the look without sashing, but we'll see.

And lap/throw may be as large as I go.  Wouldn't that be a novel idea?

In the mean time -

Binding is still happening on the long 3rd side of Starshine. 

Ivy - in her spot between my knees while I watch that binding progress from one scrappy strip to the next.

No hurry, no worry - it will get there in due time.

Did you enter to win the Sugar Grove gift-away on the gift-away post?

I'll be drawing for 2 winners on Friday 4/28/23 (Because I leave for Vietnam on 4/30/23!!!) who will each receive a Sugar Grove PDF pattern from me, and a Roy G. Biv color roll from  Cotton to Quilts!

Captivating Triangles!

The ultimate in scrap stitching! This pattern includes full color photos and graphics and 3 different methods to ensure triangle success! Yes, you CAN make a dent in the scrap stash and have fun while doing it!

Quilt Size: 80’’ X 90’’

Optional but helpful: Bonnie K. Hunter's Essential Triangle Tool and either the Simple folded Corners ruler, or the Simple Folded Corners Mini.

Traditional rotary cutting methods are also given for those who don't have access to these rulers.

Introductory Pricing!  This pattern is already marked 25% off - no coupon needed!  Price reduction good through 4/30/23 and reverts to full price on 5/1/23. Hurry now and save!

You'll find it in both the Quiltville Store and the Quiltville Etsy Pattern Shop.

Quiltville Quote of the Day -

The key to abundance is to stop needing more and start appreciating what you already have.⁣

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This fabulous Wonky Wishes quilt was shared by Annette.

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Paper pattern available in the Quiltville Store.

I'm heading over to the inn to see what the Joyful Quilters are up to and how they spent their first night.

I'm hoping to coax a few to take a walk down by the river with me today - tomorrow it is supposed to be rainy and it may be our only chance as they leave Sunday. 

We'll see!  What plans do you have for your upcoming weekend ahead?

Happy Friday, everyone!