My Aunt Mary's Double Irish Chain

I've identified the pattern in my quilt from the neighbor as "Aunt Mary's Double Irish Chain". I'm still trying to figure out why he'd want to part with it. I guess there is just no accounting for some people's taste.  I am busy admiring it and as usual wonder how it looked before the fabric had faded.

 The blocks appear to be pieced by hand but joined with the sashing by machine.The edge is also finished by machine. On 3 sides the back is turned to the front and machine stitched in place. The fourth edge is actually seamed front to back. That would have done before it were layered and basted.

I counted over 37 different fabrics used. All but two are either solids or a plaid or stripe. The black print and the tan dot or flower are shown in the photo above. There are 2 stains in the one block and two small spots where I need to repair the line of stitching.  Several of the fabrics appear to me to be hand woven. ( How does one really know?)  And several were hand dyed including the back. The dye in one of the fabrics bled in two of the blocks. I place it in the first quarter of last century but can't pinpoint it any more than that. His mother or grandmother made it. He has no records of his family since they were lost in a fire at the courthouse and no one is left to ask. Many of the larger triangles  have multiple seams in them leaving me to suspect they were cut from old clothes.

I was going to link to the post about the other quilt he gave me but I can't find it. Must not have posted when I got it.  Stay tuned for details on that one. If you are visiting from the Facebook group you may want to click the link on the right under labels for "antique quilts". Thanks for visiting.

Never too many

Been a bit too busy to do any of my own sewing lately. I've recovered from Market, but every time I attend, I come back with a new to-do list. That will give me quilty stuff to blog about the next 7 months. Market was exciting as usual. Sometimes things were a little too slow for comfort as in at lunch time when Grace from the Waukesha shop relieved me a spell and was pretty bored so counted the 50+ exhibitors that passed my booth. And they weren't going in the direction of the food court. Only 3 qualified buyers passed the booth in the same time!

If your a member of the facebook group "Quilts, vintage and antique" you already saw that as I was preparing for Quilt Market last week my neighbor called me over again to "see" another antique quilt. He had it all spread out on the car waiting for me, just where I found the other one.  I ooohed and aaahhhed over it (I'd hoped I did that enough to give him the message I was really interested in it.) and told him everything I knew about it. Then I told him I had to go and to let me know when he was done with it cause I'd be pretty interested in having that one too. I guess I ooohhhed and aaahhhhed enough cause he gave it to me on the spot.  Perhaps I should explain that my husband ( I call Mark the neighborhood handyman) helps the guy out off and on throughout the year. Gee, I wonder how many more he's got. He did say that his mom and grandma quilted alot. (Got my fingers crossed here)

 I haven't had a chance to get a good picture but hope to do that in the next day or two. I will share more details about it then. 

Juggling Hats

A few weeks ago I started using my Civil War scraps to make these Union Square blocks at Studio 3. Maybe you know this block as Contrary Wife. I kinda liked them all scrappy.

After just making a few I decided not to make the big triangles scrappy. Mainly cause I didn't have those sizes already cut and leftover from another project like all the little pieces. I decided I like these too.

Next thing you know, I  want use even more different fabrics so cut some more little triangles. May as well plan to use one color small triangle per block. And the blue block I found in my pile of orphan blocks. I have no idea when I made it. These I like the best but still don't have a problem with the others.

 Now I need to decide if I want to use all of them together in the same quilt. And why not? And since I didn't start with a plan I need to decide the setting and number I need... Sometimes I stay after class and sew aimlessly. Can you tell?

I've been juggling all kinds of things lately. Classes and my own projects at both Studio 3 and here. Then there are orders to fill  and vending a show and Quilt Market in Houston. I still help our fella friend out with a few things and tomorrow is quilting at church. That one doesn't take much prep on my part, but I am taking things there that I need to gather. It has been difficult to stay inside and work when it's been so pretty out in the woods. I took a walk today and scattered some of the many wildflower seeds I collected earlier.

Preparing for quilt Market has been a bigger job than I thought. Silly me. I thought I didn't have much to do to get ready just cause all the quilt were quilted. Glad I thought to make room and airline reservations a few months ago. But besides that I also should have ordered early the other stuff I need for my booth and could have saved some money. Lots of details to consider. Glad I've done it before cause  I don't feel stressed, just busy.Pretty much just have to pack it all in the suitcases now. That means there is time to join in the Linky parties at Stitch by Stitch and Patchwork Times.

Ready, Set, Go

Back from Louisville and all unpacked. Unfortunately the show was not well attended, but we had a good time. The vendors are all so nice and in the same boat. Always talk in a situation like that and it was pretty much agreed on that there are just tooooo many big shows.

 I sorted as I unpacked with my next trip in mind  to Houston quilt market in a few weeks. Not much to get ready for that trip so this afternoon I gave some thought to the sampler classes and what blocks we are doing next. All ready for that, I then went through some of my orphan blocks and am now considering getting back to making a few more sampler blocks to go with these 5 batik orphans.

Of course if I decide to do that, I would put it toward the bottom of the list as I have a few other projects in mind. OH WHY did I pull out that pile of orphans???

I looked for my setting fabric while I was gone but had no luck so I guess it is off to Sawdust and Stitches to find it. No doubt it will be there. Maybe Wednesday. Sharon will like that!

I think its Monday so I will link this post to Patchwork Times  and check out what everyone else is up to. See you around.

Where I Was

Last week I finished the 12 blocks that used the uneven nine-patch for the star centers. I decided I liked them lots and changed my mind about including the brown and blue blocks. While I am in Lousiville at the show I hope to find fabric for setting them.  That means I have to decide on the setting. I am not sure I will put them on point. I am wavering between alternating with plain blocks or setting with wide sashing the OLD fashioned way. I'm hoping to find a red print to finish it that screams "pick me". Maybe a simple half-square triangle border.

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Always an Option

I always offer options for my class projects. In Kentucky next week I have 3 half-day classes scheduled. These two samples are for the Thitysomething Stars class on Saturday. I prefer the gold, red and brown sample with leaves in the prints. I tend to like dark colors. I've been told its cause I am from the midwest. Who knows?  I do like the brighter sample too, kinda.

3 hours should be just enough time to get the hang of making basic Thirtysomething units. The rest they have done before.  Wow, just 3 hours. That makes me wanna take a class myself.