Last week when I made my list of quilty tasks I thought it was a far-reaching goal to get both the baby quilt AND my customer's Star Memory quilt completed...
I am thrilled to announce that I was successful! Ta-Dah!
✔ Get quilting done and machine sew the binding
✔ photo shoot
✔ Finalize further details of my next sew along. In case you missed those details...
I'll be calling it Pieces in the (Tea) Garden BOtM.
The following story is the foundation for the blocks that we will create. This story came from a needle craft publication in 1985. It was the year that Dave and I were married, my parents celebrated their 25th anniversary and my grandparents celebrated their 50th anniversary and all three of us had needlepoint wall hangings that matched.
In olden days, it was traditional for young girls to make a “Baker’s Dozen” (13) quilts by their wedding day. The patterns, often handed down from generation to generation, were usually planned when the girl was very young; and, as soon as she could hold a needle, she would start sewing her first quilt. The last (or 13th) quilt was the fanciest of all. After a girl became engaged, she would invite her friends to a party to quilt the top of this “Bride’s Quilt”… and in this way she would announce her engagement.
The twelve patterns in this “Bride’s Quilt have been chosen to tell the following story…
“Bride’s Quilt”
Once upon a time, there was a little girl, who wore a bow in her hair. When she grew up, she began a friendship with a young bachelor. As the hours and days passed, they began to look at each other with stars in their eyes, and as their love grew, they thought about taking steps to the altar. So, the young girl got out her spools of thread and made clothes to get ready for their wedding ring day.
After they are married, some of their times together will be bright as noon and others will be dark as night. But they will try to share their happiness, their miseries and their chores – she grabbing a wrench to help with household repairs and he grabbing a towel to help with the dishes. Sometimes they will have broken dishes but they will try to remember that “things” can be replaced, whereas harsh words, possibly spoken about the broken dishes, could chip away love. They will try to follow the Golden Rule as they are learning to communicate openly with each other.
They will also try to keep in mind the symbolism of Jacob’s ladder – “steps of communication” between themselves on earth and God in heaven.
I have a few more details to hammer out but for now, here's what I have...
Pattern releases will happen every four weeks and the dates are as follows:
February 3 - Row 1
March 3 - Row 2
March 31 - Row 3
April 28 - Row 4
May 26 - Row 5
June 23 - Row 6
July 21 - Row 7
August 18 - Row 8
September 15 - Row 9
October 13 - Row 10
November 10 - Row 11
December 8 - Row 12
Block sizes will vary, being either 3", 4" or 6" blocks. Given the size of the pieces, this will be an excellent opportunity to work on the ever important "scant 1/4 inch" seams."
❧ I see myself doing some small piecing
❧ And a fair amount of time on the computer with pattern writing, story writing and sew along logo creation.
As you look at the center block of the upper section of the picture... This block has 32 pieces in it. 😮 It is 4-1/2 inches, unfinished. Twelve blocks would be required to complete a row...
Is that too challenging? Would that scare you off from the sew along? Would you prefer an easier block such as the bowtie block? Also, 4-1/2 inches, but only 6 pieces.
Leave a comment... I'd like to hear your thoughts.
Keep Piecing,
Melva
Linking with:
Oh Scrap! at Quilting is More Fun Than Housework
Sunday Stash at QuiltPaintCreate
Patchwork & Quilts at The Quilting Patch
Monday Making at Love Laugh Quilt
Design Wall Monday at Small Quilts and Doll Quilts
Tuesday To-do at Texas Quilt Gal
Mid-week Makers at Quilt Fabrication
Wednesday Wait Loss at The Inquiring Quilter
Your new BOM is going to be fun! Pretty little blocks.
ReplyDeleteI love reading stories about quilts from bygone days. Your BOM sounds quite lovely. Fabulous you were able to complete the baby quilt and the Star Memory quilt.
ReplyDeleteIf I love the quilt nothing will deter me! 32 is a lot, but it’s probably worth it! You could always provide the alternate and people could choose.
ReplyDeleteSince I missed the last one and have never done a row quilt, this is so tempting! I loved the story and I think I can even guess what some of the blocks will be. That center block is not too challenging and people may know other ways to make it with less pieces. I really hope I can do this one!
ReplyDeleteHi Melva! Big huge congrats to you and your TWO finishes last week. That is amazing - great job. I'm 100% certain that your customer was delighted and thrilled with her project being complete. Thanks for sharing the 13 quilts story and especially the meaning of Jacob's Ladder. I have always wanted to make a quilt using that block, and now knowing the background I really want to. That 32-piece, 4.5" block might be a bit intimidating but I think I'd give it a try! I think having four weeks to complete a row of 12 blocks is motivating in itself I look forward to seeing more details about your SAL. {{Hugs}} a bunch for you. ~smile~ Roseanne
ReplyDeletePersonally, I would have no problem at all with 32 pieces. It looks simple enough!
ReplyDeleteYour baby quilt and the customer star quilt are both spectacular! I'm looking forward to the SAL. I think having a month in between rows should keep it from being too daunting.
ReplyDeleteThank you for linking up with To Do Tuesday!
Wow you really cranked through those customer quilts and got them both done! Good on you! Your next quilt along seems inspired. Can't wait. Thanks for sharing on Wednesday Wait Loss.
ReplyDeleteI just love the idea of Joseph's Ladder and also very much enjoyed reading the story of the quilts.You always put so much into your posts, Melva. I'm going to be watching this SAL; I've never done a row one before.
ReplyDeleteI was super busy since last September and missed many blocks of last sew along, will catch up soon though~ And will do this years BOM too, I love green tea, and love small blocks LOL Thanks you doing this!
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