Monday, August 7, 2017

My Amish Inspired Quilt


Looking back at progress photos of these quilt blocks, I see that I started making this quilt last July. I finished all twenty-four blocks last summer and knew that I wanted to set them on point. I also knew that I had to fix two blocks. Those two things meant that I stacked them on top of each other and set them on a shelf.  Fixing blocks and setting them on point are not two of my favorite things.


But these blocks were never very far out of my mind. Over the course of a year I pulled them out more than once just to look at them. I love, love, love the bright colors on the black background. I love the mix of traditional quilt blocks that I chose. I have a rug in my house that is brights on a black background and very folk art-ish. For the entire last year I've imagined this quilt residing in the same room as that awesome rug.


Well, July 2017 was finally the time where I buckled down and fixed those blocks and nearly pulled my hair out sashing and setting them on point. It might have been easier if I had had a pattern to follow. You know, one that told me how much fabric to buy, how to cut it, and how best to arrange the blocks. It only took me thirty minutes to fix the blocks. Thirty minutes! Makes me wish I didn't wait a year to do it. Piecing the top together took longer. Basting it took even longer because the backing is a silky, sateen fabric that liked to shift during the process. Quilting it took awhile too for the same reason. But, BUT, I am incredibly thrilled with the final result!



It measures about 90 inches square and is truly one of my most favorite quilts I've ever made.

-dana

NOTE TO SELF: Don't wait a year to finish a quilt. It's so much more fun to have a finished quilt than stare at pieces and parts on a shelf.

P.S. The backing is a Kaffe Fassett 108" wide sateen backing fabric. It's luxurious and worth the extra time it took to use.

P.S. All the quilt blocks finished at 12" square.

18 comments:

ashley said...

It's gorgeous, i love your blocks and the black makes them pop.. I've never set anything on point yet, now i going to try making one. Any suggestion would be appreciated, iI need to keep my hair, lol.

Thank you for showing your quilt!

Susanne

Rebecca said...

Love the look of that backing circles and blocks. Great counter point.
While its not my favorite way to layout a quilt, putting a block on point can create so much energy and eye candy I do it pretty often.

Ginny Worden said...

Beautiful quilt and job well done. I would love to see the quilt in the room with the rug, do hope you'll show us.

AnnieO said...

It is gorgeous! I know how it is to put projects in Time Out, then wonder why you waited so long to finish them! Congrats on a lovely job!

JustSue2 said...

Oh Dana,
I've been looking for a pattern for just such a quilt. Sampler blocks, set on point, with sashing. You wouldn't happen to have any instructions for your quilt-- or a pattern, that I could purchase, would you? Very hard to find a sampler, on point, for some reason.

I love the black- just gorgeous.

Susan

Robby said...

This is really stunning. My theory about fixing those errant blocks is that the time needed is proportional to how much we want them resolved. Not being in the right frame of mind can make it take longer, sometimes marinating is needed. But, I've also kicked myself for delaying gratification with procrastination.

scottylover said...

Oh my goodness! I have a set of Amish inspired blocks that I won in a group lottery. I put them on my design wall in this same layout! I had a hard time trying to decide what size to cut the sashing and the setting triangles. I thought about different colored cornerstones, but didn't know how that would look. I love yours! Now I just need to get mine back out and work on them. Thanks for the inspiration!

Sandy A

Unknown said...

It is beautiful! Worth the wait :-) (but I do agree that 30 minutes to fix those blocks is a good lesson)

Dana - Old Red Barn Co. said...

I just always kind of struggle with setting on point because it's harder for my brain to visualize. Pencil and paper and sketching it out really helps! :)

Dana - Old Red Barn Co. said...

I agree with the visual punch setting blocks on point achieves!! I just don't do it very often because it makes my brain hurt!

Dana - Old Red Barn Co. said...

Thanks Ginny!

Dana - Old Red Barn Co. said...

I'm usually a start to finish type of quilter but sometimes I need to take a break on a project. :)

Dana - Old Red Barn Co. said...

Hi Susan! I don't have any written instructions for this quilt. I made 24 traditional blocks and then worked out the math with pencil and paper. Perhaps you could find a pattern where blocks are set on point and then replace the blocks with those of your choosing? Then the math will already be done for you and you just plug in the variety of blocks you choose?

Dana - Old Red Barn Co. said...

Oh yes! I totally agree that all things happen in the time that they should. Had I fixed the blocks and completed the quilt last summer, I probably would have made different decisions/choices on fabric and setting, etc that would have made this a totally different quilt. In this instance, I think I just wish I hadn't felt the quilt looming over me for so long as I am normally a start to finish type of quilter. Regardless, I'm in love with the finished project. :)

Dana - Old Red Barn Co. said...

What a lucky prize! I used 2.5" sashing and then had to do some math to figure out the large corners. Cornerstones would be a great addition too!

Dana - Old Red Barn Co. said...

Indeed! I mean, 30 MINUTES!!!!

Jennifer said...

It's amazing how good the bright blocks look on a black background. It looks fantastic!

Paperstarfish said...

This is beautiful, Dana!