10/17/2006

Quilt Classes

What a great day. Took off from work and went to two count 'em TWO quilt classes at the LQS. First one was one I had really been looking forward to: Vintage Quiltmaking Challenge. It was taught by one of the three Little Quilts ladies, Alice Berg. She gave us a delectable stack of pink and brown prints and a mystery scrap bag (!) along with a photo of an inspiration vintage crib quilt. The idea is to create our own version of this little quilt using the fabrics that were given to us, as if we were pioneer ladies out on the prairie and had to make do with what we had. The biggest challenge is to decide what to use for the 12" or 15" center block, whether to make our own patchwork or applique block or use a vintage block that we have around (and I may have one!), or what to do with that central area. What fun! So anyway we started off making our scrappy pink and brown 3" nine patches for now, while lots of little ideas are circulating for that center block. Photo below is where Alice was demonstrating that you can have the simple color range in the left-most strip, or you can add different tones of each color and get the marvelous scrappy range in the next strips; strip at right are fabrics to avoid if you are trying to get an authentic vintage look to your quilts.


Second class was Quiltmaking Study, excellent as always; among other things, we saw this wonderful Sunbonnet Sue. This quilt is in the current issue of American Patchwork & Quilting. The quiltmaker has about 16 of these vintage blocks made by somebody back in her family and this is the first of four quilts she is going to make using the blocks for her nieces, I believe. Isn't this just the cleverest setting for sunbonnet babies? How did she think of this?

13 comments:

Libby said...

Wow - sounds like a full day. Look forward to seeing how you make your challenge quilt. It sounds like a fun project.

Patti said...

What a wonderful day! Can't wait to see what you do with the challenge project - how fun. Love the sunbonnet sue setting - have to save that picture for inspiration!

ForestJane said...

I've never been a 'Sue' fan, but I do like the little blocks above and below them!

Melanie said...

Sunds like so much fun. Take pictures!!! I love the Sun Bonnett quilt.

Triller said...

Like forestjane, I've never been a SS fan(maybe because of the dreaded "A"),
but I do love that setting!
Can't what to see your interpretation of the vintage crib quilt.
Triller'w Mum

Lynda (Granny K) said...

Thank you for posting the pic of the repro fabrics - they are my favourite and seeing them in strips like that is really helpful. Makes me want to go and rummage in mine and put them in groups!

Quilts And Pieces said...

Oh I am so jealous of those classes! What a wonderful class to take! Especially the first one! I can't wait to see what you do! And those strips of color she showed you are even fun!

I saw that quilt in the magazine and thought what a clever setting idea! I love it!

Darlene said...

Oh, Karen, what a fun day! Two fun projects and classes! I'm glad that you got to have a day away from work just for fun!

Darcie said...

What terrific ideas for classes. I love the sounds of that Challenge. What a way to broaden our horizons in quiltmaking!

Lucy said...

What a great idea for a class. ANd I know that a lot of woman will learn from this !! I love the Sunbonnet quilt. A great setting

Sweet P said...

You had a wonderful day. I would love to take the day off to take quilt classes, but the shops in this area seldom have classes I like. I can't wait to see how your vintage quilt turns out.

Anonymous said...

Love that SBSue setting!

YankeeQuilter said...

That is a wonderful setting for sunbonnet sue! What a fun day! There are so many great repro fabrics out right now!
Siobhan